ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Football team squared off against a familiar face Saturday at Reynolds Field, as the Eagles battled Martin Lutheran College for the second time this season. The game was added after both teams had games with another opponent canceled before the start of the season. Despite both schools being UMAC members, round two of the 2023 series did not count toward conference play. Thanks to a 21-14 win in front of a passionate home crowd, Northwestern earned the sweep in the two-game series, albeit in different fashion this time.
In the teams' first matchup in New Ulm, the Eagles had to battle back from a 21-7 first quarter deficit in order to steal a 42-38 road win over the Knights. Saturday at the friendly confines of Reynolds Field, UNW was the one to get out early, as the Eagles turned a pass breakup by
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central) on 4
th down into a 66-yard touchdown drive. The cold-blooded connection of
Caden Cantrell (Snowflake, Ariz./Snowflake) and
Beau Burk (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) hooked up on a corner route for a 20-yard strike. Burk once again etched his name into the UNW record books, as his 100 receiving yards gives him 999 on the season, which is the new single-season record for Northwestern pass-catchers. The previous record was 977, set by Chad Rusinkovich in 2011.
As Martin Luther lined up to punt after a three-and-out on its next possession,
Brad Kulinski (Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther) broke through the Knights' line of protection and blocked his second punt of the season.
Basil Demco (Fontana, Wis./Big Foot) scooped it up and dashed 36 yards for his first career touchdown. After a few unsuccessful drives from each team, which included a Kulinski interception, the Eagles took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
On Northwestern's first drive of the second half, adversity struck for the purple and gold as Cantrell limped off with an injury. Sophomore
Cody Duffy (Columbus, Ga./Chattahoochee County) entered the game in relief and calmed the storm, hitting Burk for a 17-yard touchdown to extend UNW's lead to 21-0. Cantrell was able to briefly return later in the game, but a heavy dose of
Jeremiah Staten (South Elgin, Ill./Wheaton Academy) helped Duffy manage the rest of the game. The senior ran for 68 yards and 5.2 yards per carry to lead all rushers.
With 12 minutes to go in the 3
rd, Northwestern fumbled the ball near midfield and Martin Luther returned it all the way to the UNW six-yard line. Three plays later, the Knights got on the board with a two-yard quarterback scamper to draw within 14 points. After a Northwestern punt, MLC got the ball back with some momentum on its side for the first time all day. On 3
rd and 3 in UNW territory,
Zane Schlabach (Keystone, S.D./Rapid City Christian) decided to halt that momentum as he strip-sacked the Knights' quarterback.
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central) pounced on the ball to give possession back to the Eagles.
Northwestern wasn't able to turn the turnover into points, but appeared to get another spark from the defense when
Naketa Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County) intercepted a pass on the first play of the ensuing possession. Unfortunately for Northwestern, an MLC player ran down Ellington as he was trying to score and knocked the ball loose. After some discussion between the officials, they ruled the play a fumble and recovery by Martin Luther.
The Knights were not able to take advantage of the momentum swing, and a short punt set up beautiful field position for Northwestern. However, the MLC defensive front held stiff and stopped
Ashton Lofton (Colorado Springs, Col./Colorado Springs Christian) on a 4
th and 2 run, giving the ball back to the visitors.
Martin Luther would wind up turning it over on downs itself, but a missed field goal by UNW gave the Knights the ball back at their own 21. Over the next 7:19, MLC methodically worked its way down the field and scored on a four-yard touchdown pass with 4:28 remaining. Needing one stop to give themselves a chance to tie, the Knights were able to force UNW to punt, but
Jakob Montesi (Evergreen, Colo./Evergreen) hit a beauty that was fair caught at the Martin Luther 17-yard line.
Any hope that Martin Luther had of pulling off a comeback was quickly squashed by Northwestern's defensive unit.
Jimmy Jefferson (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) picked up a sack on second down and
Zane Schlabach (Keystone, S.D./Rapid City Christian) added another on fourth down to seal the win and give the Eagles their fourth win in a row. Schlabach finished the game with 3.5 sacks, a career-high.
Next up for the Eagles will be a home date with Westminster College as they return to conference play for the remainder of the season. Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM at Reynolds Field.
