Editor's Note: Stats are pending review and may not be final.
GREENVILLE, Ill. – The University of Northwestern Football team traveled south on Saturday for a big test early in the conference season. The Eagles passed with flying colors, taking down 3-1 Greenville University (1-0 UMAC) 34-14 on a sunny and warm afternoon. In addition to the team's success, senior wide receiver
Beau Burk (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) broke the program's career receptions record with his 204
th.
The first three possessions of the game ended in turnovers on downs, but Northwestern's second offensive series finally put points on the board late in the opening quarter. UNW went 67 yards in six plays, culminating with
Sivert Klefsaas (Motley, Minn./Staples-Motley) catching a six-yard touchdown pass from
Caden Cantrell (Snowflake, Ariz./Snowflake). Cantrell and Klefsaas also connected on a 30-yard completion to put the Eagles in position to score.
Greenville drove all the way down to Northwestern's 10-yard line on the following possession, but
Elijah Simmons (Kissimmee, Fla./Gateway) recovered a strip-sack to get the ball back in UNW's possession. The Eagles took full advantage, as Cantrell tossed a 50-yard bomb down the left sideline to
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage) on the very next play. Three straight Klefsaas carries, including a five-yarder for a touchdown, gave Northwestern a 14-0 advantage after a four play, 80-yard drive.
The Panthers once again moved the ball into Eagle territory, but once again turned it over on downs. UNW continued to take advantage of the momentum, as Klefsaas immediately dashed for 25 yards, which set up Burk's record-breaking, 16-yard catch. It was the 204
th of his storied career, which passes Kyle Thomforde, who hauled in 203 between 2005 and 2009. The Eagles would conclude the drive with Cantrell finding
Will Schleicher (Victoria, Minn./Chanhassen) for a one-yard score to extend the lead to 20-0 with 1:46 remaining in the first half. Greenville would respond with a touchdown drive of its own to make the score 20-7 heading into the half.
The Panthers came out and scored in the opening possession of the third quarter to make Northwestern's lead just six, but the visitors answered back with a methodical, nine-play drive capped off by a 10-yard touchdown scamper from Klefsaas. The lead was back to 13 at 27-14, and after another turnover on downs forced by the UNW defense, Klefsaas found the end zone from one yard out for one final score.
Luke Malamisuro (Cambridge Isanti, Minn./Cambridge Isanti) intercepted his second pass of the season in the closing minutes as Northwestern picked up a convincing, 34-14 win to improve to 2-0 in the UMAC and 2-3 overall.
The Eagles put up an impressive 478 yards in the win. Cantrell, coming off a record performance against Crown last week that earned him Player of the Week honors from both the UMAC and NCCAA, was efficient as ever on Saturday, completing 20 of 24 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Klefsaas was sensational as well, rushing 21 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. Burk caught eight passes for 99 yards, while Ulmer hauled in five balls for 86 yards. Defensively,
Austin Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) led the way with 16 tackles, including seven solos.
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central) was phenomenal, making six tackles, three for loss, and adding a sack.
Elijah Simmons (Kissimmee, Fla./Gateway) made seven tackles, recorded half a sack and recovered a fumble, while
Nate Jennings (Palm Bay, Fla./Heritage) also made seven tackles and a half sack. Malamisuro anchored the secondary with two pass breakups and an interception.
Northwestern will return home next Saturday to take on Minnesota Morris in a rematch of last year's dramatic season finale. Kickoff at Reynolds Field is set for 1:00 PM.
