NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Football season is upon us. The University of Northwestern Football squad traveled south to St. Olaf College to open the 2025 season, ripe with excitement sporting a new-look roster, a new play-caller and new, white helmets. It was Northwestern's defense that proved to be its biggest strength, as the Eagles' D gave up just one touchdown late in the game. Unfortunately for UNW, miscues in other areas resulted in a 32-7 loss.
After each team traded punts to begin the contest, Northwestern set up shop at its own nine-yard line. A mishandled snap resulted in a touchdown for the Oles, putting the Eagles in an early 7-0 hole. After another punt, UNW's defense forced a turnover on downs to bring some juice to the sidelines. On the ensuing possession, quarterback
Ty Schultz (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) suffered an injury and
Basil Demco (Fontana, Wis./Big Foot) was called upon. The senior provided an immediate spark. Connecting with
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage) on a 39-yard bomb down the left sideline. One play later, Demco found
Will Schleicher (Victoria, Minn./Chanhassen) in the end zone for a 13-yard score to even things up at seven-apiece.
Luke Sommerlot's defense forced another punt on Olaf's next possession, but after the offense went three-and-out, the Oles were able to block the ensuing punt to take a 9-7 lead. St. Olaf got the ball back and was able to get to UNW's three-yard line, but
Michael Montoya (Pueblo, Colo./Central) came up with a huge interception to keep the hosts out of the end zone. The Eagles were able to move the chains a couple of times and get the ball near midfield, but the drive stalled after back-to-back penalties set them back. St. Olaf was then able to convert a 21-yard field goal to end the half with a 12-7 edge.
After Northwestern's defense forced a three-and-out to open the second half, disaster once again struck. The Oles recovered a fumbled punt and scored to extend their lead to 19-7. A 42-yard field goal on its next possession made it 22-7, Olaf. While the Eagles' offense struggled to get much going in the third quarter, the defense continued to hold its own.
Eli Werner (Moose Lake, Minn./Moose Lake) stepped in front of a pass to the sideline to log his first-career interception after switching from wide receiver to cornerback this offseason. Unfortunately for the purple and gold, St. Olaf soon intercepted the ball right back. However, just three plays later on the first play of the fourth quarter, freshman
Wes Schlabach (Spearfish, S.D./Rapid City Christian) picked off his first pass to flip possession back to UNW.
A turnover on downs gave the ball back to the Oles, and they were able to turn it into points via a 28-yard field goal, making the sore 25-7. After another interception by the Olaf defense, its offense was finally able to cross the goal line, doing so on a three-yard run with 2:45 left to play. The final score would read 32-7 in favor of St. Olaf despite Northwestern's defense only giving up one touchdown.
Montoya, Werner and Schlabach each logged interceptions for UNW's defense, with the latter contributing seven tackles in his debut as well.
Austin Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) led the way with nine tackles, while
Drake Lindberg (Keystone, S.D./Rapid City Christian) added eight.
Jayden Goodwin (New Richmond, Wis./Saint Croix Central) and
Gideon Cruver (Fayetteville, Ga./Landmark Christian) each notched seven tackles, while
Ian Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) and
Evan Sikorski (Webster, Wis./Webster) each tallied a tackle for loss.
Jonathan Etter (Rosemount, Minn./Apple Valley) and
Ryan Sommerlot (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) combined for one tackle for loss as well. Offensively, Demco finished 7-15 for 74 yards and a touchdown, thrown to Schleicher (two receptions, 19 yards). Ulmer hauled in four catches for 45 yards, while
Ashton Lofton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado Springs Christian) led the rushing attach with 45 yards on 17 carries.
Northwestern will be on the road against a MIAC foe again next week as it pays a visit to Bethel at 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 13
th.
