NEW ULM, Minn. - Coming off a week of rest following the non-conference slate, the University of Northwestern Football team was back in action Saturday, opening UMAC play at Martin Luther College. Both teams received a first-place vote in the conference preseason coaches poll, and the matchup lived up to its billing, going down to the final minute. A last-minute touchdown and subsequent interception sealed a 22-16, come-from-behind victory for UNW, its first win of 2026.
Martin Luther moved the ball well on its opening drive, but consecutive pass breakups by
Jaquan Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County) and
Alex Schultz (Staples, Minn./Staples-Motley) turned the Knights over on downs. The Eagles were unable to score, and MLC took advantage, scoring through the air from 28 yards out on its next possession. Northwestern fired right back, as on the very next play,
Elijah Alexander (Minneapolis, Minn./Andover) connected with
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage) for 42 yards. Alexander and Ulmer connected twice more, including on a fourth-down conversion, setting up a four-yard touchdown scamper by Alexander to tie the game at seven.
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Drake Lindberg (Keystone, S.D./Rapid City Christian) sack stifled Martin Luther's next drive, and those tuning in may have experienced some deja vu when Alexander hit Ulmer again for 42 yards on the first play of the ensuing series. With the Eagles facing 4th and 2 on the Knights' nine-yard line, they lined up for a 26-yard field goal, but it was blocked, keeping the score tied. The squads traded punts for the remainder of the half, heading into the locker room at 7-7.
UNW was able to march down to the MLC 29 on its first series of the second half, but it ended on an interception on 3rd and 23. The Knights were able to capitalize on the turnover, going 80 yards in nine plays to take a 13-7 lead after the PAT was missed. Northwestern's offense turned the ball over on downs in Martin Luther territory its next time out, but the defense was able to come through with a three-and-out. Needing just 60 yards to equalize, Alexander knew who to go to. The Division II transfer found
Braeden Little (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) over the middle, and the sophomore playmaker dashed 47 yards before he was finally caught at the one-yard line. On the next play, Alexander plunged in, and a successful kick put UNW in front with 10:50 remaining in the game.
The Knights took nearly five minutes off the clock on the ensuing drive, ultimately settling for a 22-yard field goal to take a 16-14 lead. Alexander began the next drive with an 11-yard run, but his helmet came off, requiring the senior QB to exit for one play. Unfortunately, that play resulted in a botched snap. Fortunately, the Eagles recovered the ball after a loss of eight yards. Alexander made sure to get those yards back; however, throwing for four and running for 13 more to set up 4th and 1 from the MLC 25-yard line. Alexander once again called his own number, powering forward to move the chains. Another QB run put the ball at the two-yard line, and two plays later, Alexander again executed the quarterback sneak, putting Northwestern back in front. Head Coach
Matt Moore wisely chose to go for two and increase the lead from four to six, and his offensive coordinator,
Ken Ingram, drew up a beautiful play to get Little open in the back of the end zone, making the score 22-16 with 1:39 remaining.
Disaster nearly struck for UNW, despite only needing to keep the Knights out of the end zone. On the first play, MLC's Noah Huebner got behind the Eagles' defense for a 42-yard reception into Northwestern territory. But Martin Luther tried going deep again on the next play, and freshman
Jaquan Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County) made a leaping reception on a one-on-one jump ball to seal the win.
Alexander completed 19 of 34 pass attempts for 242 yards, and added 63 yards and three rushing scores on 18 carries. Ulmer shredded the MLC defense to the tune of 129 yards on seven receptions, and Little added 61 yards through the air and 23 on the ground. In addition to his sack, Lindberg recorded seven tackles, two of which were for loss, while Gideon Criver led the team with eight tackles and 1.5 for loss.
Isaiah Voss (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie) logged 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack off the edge, while
Ryan Sommerlot (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) forced a fumble, which was recovered by the Knights. Ellington's interception was the lone turnover for Northwestern's defense.
The Eagles will welcome Minnesota Morris to Reynolds Field on Saturday, October 10th for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
