MORRIS, Minn. – It may not have been the most efficient or stress-free route, but the University of Northwestern Football team has played its way back into the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. Needing to win one of its final two games of the season to clinch the outright UMAC Championship, and the conference's automatic bid to the tournament, the Eagles suffered a setback in a home loss to Martin Luther last week, and found themselves trailing 10-7 in Saturday's regular season finale at Minnesota Morris. But a 21-0 run to close out the game left little doubt as to who are the kings of UMAC football in 2026, as UNW cemented its 19
th conference championship in program history, and will be making its fourth appearance in the NCAA Playoffs.
Northwestern began the game with as much momentum as possible, as
Clay Fee (Weyauwega, Wis./Weyauwega-Fremont) forced and recovered a fumble on the game's opening kick. However, UNW's offense went four-and-out, turning it over on downs at the Morris 27-yard line on 4
th and 4. The Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out after a third-down sack by
Isaiah Voss (Ogilvie, Minn./Ogilvie), but the offense turned it over on downs again after stalling at the UMM 35. The Cougars were able to break the scoreless tie on their next possession, going 65 yards and scoring on the ground from four yards out.
Northwestern was able to even the score at seven after
Elijah Alexander (Minneapolis, Minn./Andover) connected with
Braeden Little (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) for a 37-yard touchdown on the third play of the second quarter, but Minnesota Morris converted a field goal from the same distance to edge back in front, 10-7, and the score would hold for the final 9:40 of the first half.
With other scores from around the UMAC making it clearer that UNW would not be getting any help in its quest for an auto bid, the game in Morris became a must-win. The Eagles' offense went to work on its opening drive of the second half, chipping away until Alexander hit
Ian Ingram (Hillsboro, Ore./Hillsboro) for a 26-yard gain to set up first-and-goal. The two connected again on the next play for an eight-yard score, putting Northwestern in front for the first time, 14-10.
Voss came up with another third-down sack to force another three-and-out, and the offense kept the momentum going as Alexander fired a 34-yard strike to
Trey Ulmer (West Melbourne, Fla./Heritage), setting up another first-and-goal. Two plays later, Alexander called his own number and plunged in from a yard out, increasing the lead to 21-10.
A
Naketa Ellington (Richland, Ga./Chattahoochee County) interception gave UNW the ball in plus-territory just before the end of the third quarter as the momentum continued to fall Northwestern's way, but Morris was able to make a big play by forcing an Alexander fumble to regain possession. The turnover streak continued on the next series, when
Wes Schlabach (Spearfish, S.D./Rapid City Christian) picked off a pass in the end zone as the Cougars were driving. This time, the Eagles were able to capitalize when an 80-yard drive concluded with a 24-yard touchdown run by
Micah Middleton (Inman. S.C./Homeschool), providing the dagger with 4:37 to play, and a 28-10 score. After forcing one final turnover on downs, UNW knelt the clock out and showered Head Coach
Matt Moore with Gatorade in celebration of his third conference championship.
Alexander completed 17 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, adding 74 yards and a score on the ground. Six of those passes were caught by Little, for 64 yards and a touchdown, while Ingram hauled in five receptions for 54 yards and a TD. Middleton led UNW in rushing with 78 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Voss led with eight tackles and two big sacks, while Fee contributed six tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery. Schlabach and Ellington each intercepted passes, while
Alex Petersen (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake) contributed a sack.
Erich Hulshizer (Casper, Wyo./Kelly Walsh) was a perfect 4-4 on extra points as well.
Northwestern will find out who and where it is playing next weekend in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs during Sunday's NCAA Selection Show, airing at 4:00 PM on the NCAA's website. Stay tuned to unweagles.com for more coverage throughout the week.
