ST. PAUL, Minn. - Sometimes, you just have to run the dang ball. Such was the game plan for the University of Northwestern Football team on an unusually gorgeous Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Field, who gashed Greenville University for 280 yards on the ground, and 480 total yards, in a dominant, 40-10 win. The Eagles scored twice on the ground and three times through the air to improve to 4-0 in UMAC competition, and increase their scoring margin to +84 in league play.
Using a steady balance of running and passing plays after taking advantage of a roughing the punter penalty, the Northwestern offense marched down the field on an 11-play, 6:30 drive, capped off by a 10-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback
Elijah Alexander (Minneapolis, Minn./Andover). After the defense forced a punt, Alexander and the offense went back to work. The QB found
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage) wide open for a 32-yard connection to enter Greenville territory, and
Keaton Sargent (Manhattan, Mont./Manhattan) finished off the drive with an eight-yard rushing score to quickly make it 14-0.
After a run of punts and a Northwestern fumble in Panther territory, GU was able to convert a 31-yard field goal attempt to get on the board. That seemed to be the wake-up call the Eagles' offense needed after a few empty drives, as they responded with a 13-play scoring drive. UNW used a heavy does of Sargent, both on the ground and through the air, and the junior running back eventually caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Alexander. Northwestern tried to get tricky on the PAT, but the Greenville defense held firm, keeping the score at 20-3, seconds before halftime.
Despite another fumble in GU territory early in the third quarter, UNW was able to maintain its big lead, and went on to extend it on its next possession. After Sargent and
Ian Ingram (Hillsboro, Ore./Hillsboro) each moved the chains, the Eagles' offensive line created a big hole, as it did most of the day, for
Ashton Lofton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Colorado Springs Christian) to run through on his way to a 13-yard touchdown. Northwestern's defense forced another three-and-out, and the offense struck immediately after, with Alexander finding
Tate Westin (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) wide open down the right sideline for a 39-yard touchdown strike to make the score 33-3.
UNW's defense forced a turnover on downs to close out the third quarter and began subbing in its reserves, but that didn't keep the Eagles out of the end zone.
Ty Schultz (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) engineered a 43-yard scoring drive, which ended with the sophomore quarterback finding Ingram over the middle for a 14-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 40-3. The Panthers were finally able to find the end zone themselves two series later, bringing the final score to 40-10.
Micah Middleton (Inman. S.C./Homeschool) nearly gave Northwestern an exclamation point on a 44-yard scamper, but was brought down at the three-yard line, and the Eagles kneeled out the remainder of the clock to stay unbeaten in UMAC play and improve to 4-3 overall this season. Greenville fell to 3-4 and 2-2 with the loss.
Alexander was excellent both on the ground and through the air again, passing for 173 yards and two touchdowns, and adding 62 yards and a score with his legs. Sargent was outstanding in both areas as well, rushing for 84 yards and a touchdown, and receiving for 40 and a score. Middleton added 77 rushing yards and Lofton a touchdown on the ground, while Ingram was the top receiver with five receptions for 51 yards and a TD. Westin's lone reception was the 39-yard score, and Schultz went 2-3 for 27 yards and a touchdown through the air. Defensively,
Isaiah Voss (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) led the way with eight tackles and 1.5 for loss.
Daniel Khomich (Andover, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy),
Austin Ahrendt (Nevis, Minn./Nevis Public) and
Wes Schlabach (Spearfish, S.D./Rapid City Christian) each chipped in one tackle for loss, and
Gideon Cruver (Fayetteville, Ga./Landmark Christian) recorded UNW's only sack.
The Eagles will travel to defending conference champion Crown next Saturday at 1:00 PM.
