ST. PAUL, Minn.- When you look up the definition of a "team win" you may see a picture of the box score from the University of Northwestern Football team's win over Concordia-Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles executed in all three phases of the game and used big plays from all three units to pick up a 26-10 win in the home opener from Reynolds Field.
The first phase that not only executed, but also showed their versatility, was the Eagles' offense. UNW didn't score on their first two possessions of the game and it was a 0-0 score when they got the ball back with one second left in the first quarter. The Eagles decided to impose their will and show that they could control the clock and go on a long, physical touchdown drive. Starting on their own 14 yard line, the Eagles used a jaw-dropping 20 plays to go 86 yards for the game's first touchdown. UNW wore CUW's defense out by making them stay on the field for 7:35 of the game clock, eating up a huge chunk of the second quarter.
Caden Cantrell (Snowflake, Ariz./Snowflake) hit
Bryson James (Apopka, Fla./Central Florida Christian Academy) for a 3 yard touchdown pass to finally finish off the drive.
The score still read 7-0 when the Eagles' offense got the football back with 6:47 remaining in the third quarter. Having proven that they can go on a long methodical drive, it was time for UNW's offense to show their versatility and prove that they can score in a hurry as well. This time the Eagles' scoring drive only lasted four plays and took 1:40 off the game clock. With the football on the Falcons' 35 yard line, Cantrell got flushed from the pocket. He spun out of trouble and began rolling to his left. Keeping his eyes down field, he found a wide open
Beau Burk (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) down the field. Burk caught it, bounced off two defenders, reached for the pylon, and broke the plane putting the Eagles' up 14-0 after
Dominic Borges (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin) would hit the extra point. It was a 35 yard touchdown strike from Cantrell to Burk.
The Eagles' defense more than did their part in this victory as well. UNW's defense shut out the Falcons in the first half, and CUW would finally get on the scoreboard thanks to their defense picking up a fumble and running it back for a touchdown in the third quarter. The game moved into the late stages of the fourth quarter and the Eagles' defense still had not surrendered a point to the Falcons' offense.
Borges would hit a field goal for the Eagles and they led 17-7. With 8:32 left in the fourth quarter, the Falcons would cap off their only drive against the Eagles' defense that resulted in points. A 29 yard field goal made it a one score game, 17-10 in favor of the home team.
UNW would punt the football back to CUW and the Falcons had the ball at their own 14 yard line with 5:16 remaining in the game. The Eagles' defense would get the job done one more time. CUW only gained 21 yards on 7 plays and turned the ball over on downs when
Edward Dyer (Kissimmee, Fla./Gateway) and
Jimmy Jefferson (Aurora, Colo./Rangeview) brought the ball carrier down in the backfield on a 4
th and 2.
Dominant is the only appropriate word for the Eagles' defense on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Field. They only gave up 27 yards rushing on 21 attempts. They were also strong in the pass game as
Luke Malamisuro (Cambridge Isanti, Minn./Cambridge Isanti) and
Naketa Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County) had interceptions in the game.
The third and final phase of the game that contributed to the win for UNW was the special teams unit. With 2:55 remaining in the game and leading 17-10, the Eagles still needed points to secure the win. Borges would make his second field goal of the game, this time from 28 yards, to make it a 20-10 Eagle lead.
UNW's special teams unit didn't stop there. On the ensuing kickoff,
Brady Harlan (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) forced a fumble and
Jah'Kiing Joseph (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Heritage) returned it 35 yards for a game sealing touchdown. Northwestern won the home opener over Concordia-Wisconsin 26-10.
Caden Cantrell (Snowflake, Ariz./Snowflake) was extremely efficient through the air finishing 20-31 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target on the afternoon was junior
Beau Burk (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie). Burk finished with 9 catches and 106 yards, including a highlight reel touchdown.
Ren Hamann (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) had 6 catches for 99 yards.
Sivert Klefsaas (Motley, Minn./Staples-Motley) was a workhorse on the ground for UNW. He finished with 126 yards on 29 carries with a long run of 27 yards.
Having defeated one team with the nickname "Falcons" this week, the Eagles will begin preparing for another team that calls themselves the "Falcons". Next week, Northwestern will host #9 Wisconsin-River Falls at Reynolds Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm.
