LA CROSSE, Wis. – Despite a 59-14 loss to No. 18 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs, there were plenty of positives for the University of Northwestern Football team to take away. Head Coach
Matt Moore said as much in his postgame press conference. Not only did Northwestern score its first-ever points in a national playoff game (in three tries), but UNW consistently moved the ball into its opponent territory. To top it all off,
Sivert Klefsaas (Motley, Minn./Staples-Motley) made his way into the Eagle Football record book, breaking the single-season rushing yards record in the second quarter.
UW-La Crosse got the ball first and returned the opening kick into Northwestern territory to begin the battle of the Eagles. The UNW defense appeared to force a three-and-out, but UWL decided to roll the dice and go for it on 4
th and 5. The gamble paid off, as the play resulted in a 36-yard touchdown pass to put the home team ahead, 7-0. Northwestern was able to move the ball into plus-territory on its first drive as well, but a third down sack forced a punt. La Crosse was able to score a touchdown on its next possession as well, and appeared to be on its way to another, but a huge second down run stop by
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central) backed UWL up four yards and ultimately led to a 30-yard field goal. UW-La Crosse held a 17-0 advantage at the conclusion of the first quarter.
The second quarter began with Northwestern already in La Crosse territory thanks to some tough running from newly-minted UMAC Offensive Player of the Year,
Sivert Klefsaas (Motley, Minn./Staples-Motley). Offensive Coordinator continued to ride the ground game, but got quarterback
Caden Cantrell (Snowflake, Ariz./Snowflake) involved as well. A 12-yard scamper by Cantrell put the ball on the 21-yard line, but the quarterback was stuffed on 4
th and 1, giving the ball back to the hosts. UWL was able to capitalize, scoring a 74-yard touchdown through the air just two plays later to move ahead, 24-0.
UNW did not roll over and die, despite the deficit. Cantrell hit
Beau Burk (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) twice for 26 yards and
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage) once for 18 yards as Northwestern once again crossed midfield. Head Coach
Matt Moore faced another fourth down decision, this time with four yards to go. While the defense focused on trying to take away Burk and Ulmer, Cantrell instead handed the ball off to Klefsaas, who dashed 17 yards for a touchdown. It marked the first time Northwestern has scored in an NCAA Playoff game, after being shut out in its previous two appearances. The momentum would shift back to UWL; however, as the hometown Eagles were able to add three more touchdowns before the half to open up a 45-7 lead.
Despite what the scoreboard read, there was one more moment of celebration for UNW before the first 30 minutes were up. With his final carry of the opening half—a nine-yard scamper—Klefsaas eclipsed 1,324 rushing yards on the season, giving him the program record for single-season rushing yards. The record was previously held by Joe Wise, who set the mark in 2001.
Northwestern got the ball first to start the second half, and continued its trend of moving the ball well before the drive would ultimately stall. A sack backed UNW up near midfield and forced a punt. UW-La Crosse kept its foot on the gas, scoring via the ground to extend its lead to 52-7. A 25-yard reception by Burk once again put Northwestern on La Crosse's side of the field, but another sack made it impossible for anything but a punt on fourth down. The teams traded punts before UWL scored its final touchdown of the day with 10:17 remaining in the game.
It would be UNW who would put up the final points of the afternoon. Cantrell spread the ball around to three different receivers on Northwestern's final drive, culminating in a 14-yard connection with
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage) for a score. The final score would be 59-14 in favor of Wisconsin-La Crosse, who moves on to face top-ranked Saint John's University in the second round next weekend. UNW's season concludes at 7-4, ending its seven-game winning streak throughout an undefeated conference slate.
As an offensive unit, Northwestern picked up 19 first downs, turned the ball over zero times and won the time of possession battle (32:17-27:43). Cantrell threw for 169 yards and a touchdown, and did not turn the ball over. Burk was the recipient of seven of Cantrell's 17 completions for 78 yards. Ulmer hauled in four receptions for 51 yards and a score, while
Tate Westin (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) caught three balls for 29 yards. Klefsaas, who exited the game due to injury after his record-breaking carry, finished with 63 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries (4.8 yards per attempt). Goodwin set the pace for Northwestern's defense, leading the way with seven tackles and a tackle for loss.
Luke Malamisuro (Cambridge Isanti, Minn./Cambridge Isanti) and
Joshua Popp (Atwood, Kan./Rawlins County) each contributed five tackles, while
Sam Schlabach (Keystone, S.D./Rapid City Christian) and
Jeffrey Markvicka II (Brooklyn Center, Minn./Fridley) each tallied 0.5 tackles for loss.
Dominic Borges (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin) made both kicks he attempted in the game.
UNW graduates a strong senior class that includes captains, record-breakers, national stat leaders and faith leaders. They are the first senior class to graduate with two NCAA Playoff appearances under their belts. With the final whistle on their careers being sounded this afternoon, we want to thank them for a great four years and wish them the best in their next endeavors.
