ST. PAUL, Minn. – Entering Senior Day Saturday, the University of Northwestern Football team had hope and promise in front of it. Despite starting the season 0-5, the Eagles were on a four-game winning streak and had clawed their way back into the UMAC Championship race, needing a win over Westminster College and a Crown College loss at Greenville University to steal the title and the automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Playoffs. But nothing about Saturday went according to Northwestern's plan, as not only did Crown roll to a 38-20 win in Greenville, but UNW suffered a 15-6 defeat to end its season at 4-6 (4-3 UMAC).
After Northwestern's offense came up empty in its opening series, its defense came through.
Ian Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a holding penalty on the return brought the ball back the 15-yard line. Five plays later,
Basil Demco (Fontana, Wis./Big Foot) snuck in a touchdown. After a bobbled snap on the PAT, the Eagles led 6-0.
The ensuing dive by Westminster but it in field goal range, but the 24-yard attempt missed wide to the left. On UNW's following possession, Demco appeared to barely get rid of the ball before being sacked on third down, but it was ruled a fumble and the Blue Jays took over at the Northwestern 14-yard line. The visitors took advantage, scoring on a fourth-down pass to take a 7-6 lead.
The Eagles struggled to get much going on offense, save for a couple of lengthy scrambles by Demco. With 26 seconds left before the half, Westminster scored a 33-yard passing touchdown and accepted a roughing the passer penalty to try for two points from the one-yard line. The try was successful, giving the Blue Jays a 15-6, two-score lead heading into the half.
Both teams had issues holding onto the ball in the second half, resulting in a handful of turnovers and fumbles recovered by the offense. UNW pulled off a couple of highlight reel plays in its first series of the fourth quarter, including a fake punt completion from
Austin Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) to
Alex Schultz (Staples, Minn./Staples-Motley), and a 27-yard reception by
Braeden Little (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) on a ball that was tipped high into the air by a Westminster defensive back. But just two plays after the Little catch, another fumble turned the ball back over to the Blue Jays at their 18-yard line.
Northwestern's defense tried to will the team back into the game, as Westminster's next three possessions resulted in a
Clay Fee (Weyauwega, Wis./Weyauwega-Fremont) interception, a
Gideon Cruver (Fayetteville, Ga./Landmark Christian) forced a fumble, recovered by
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central), and an
Ashton Robinson (Sharon, Wis./Bigfoot) fumble recovery on a dropped snap, but the offense turned the ball over on downs all three times. The first quarter score proved to be the final score, 15-6, and there were nine total turnovers between the two teams.
Demco threw for 115 yards and three interceptions, and ran for 46 yards and a touchdown, while
Tate Westin (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) hauled in four passes for 81 yards.
Braeden Little (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) had two receptions for 31 yards, and
Christian Marques (Vero Beach, Fla./Indian River Charter) had two for 27.
Cody Duffy (Columbus, Ga./Chattahoochee County) went 3-3 for 42 yards on the final series in his final collegiate game, in relief of an injured Demco.
Ian Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) was the defensive leader with 14 tackles and an interception, while
Michael Montoya (Pueblo, Colo./Central) followed suit with 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. Goodwin recorded 10 tackles and a forced fumble, and Robinson tallied eight tackles, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Cruver logged one tackle for loss and a forced fumble, while
Clay Fee (Weyauwega, Wis./Weyauwega-Fremont) intercepted a pass and broke up four others.
Before the game, Northwestern honored its 10 seniors:
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central),
Cody Duffy (Columbus, Ga./Chattahoochee County),
Basil Demco (Fontana, Wis./Big Foot),
Eli Werner (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake),
Ian Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public),
Ashton Robinson (Sharon, Wis./Bigfoot),
Jonathan Etter (Rosemount, Minn./Apple Valley),
Evan Sikorski (Webster, Wis./Webster),
Carson Lary (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) and
Will Schleicher (Victoria, Minn./Chanhassen). While a few of them have eligibility remaining and the option to return next year, the group as a whole, which was part of two UMAC Championship teams, will be missed in the locker room and on the field.
