Notables
-UMAC Game of the Week
-The same score as last year's game in Duluth, but different winner
-Fourth straight CSS vs. UNW game decided by seven points or less
-Most passing yards vs. Northwestern (304) in series history
-CSS still has yet to allow any points in the first quarter thru the first four UMAC games
ST. PAUL, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team traveled down to the Twin Cities Saturday afternoon to take on the University of Northwestern at Reynolds Field, planning to spoil its homecoming as the Eagles did to the Saints a year ago at Public Schools Stadium. The Saints did just that, scoring a late go-ahead touchdown to remain undefeated in conference play and defeat the Eagles 14-7.
First Half
The Saints received the opening kickoff, which Kenneth Jinkins returned 23 yards before handing the ball off to Zach Edwards and the offense. CSS put together a methodical drive, highlighted by a 34-yard pass to Aaron Olson, as they accumulated 70 yards on 11 plays in just over five minutes. The Saints were held at the Northwestern four-yard line however, and Donovan Blatz's field goal attempt went wide left to end the drive.
The Eagles were forced to go three-and-out on their opening drive, giving the Saints excellent field position for their second drive. This time, after a few short gains on the ground, Edwards found Olson for a 28-yard touchdown through the air to put the Saints up 7-0. That would be the first score as well as the last score in the first quarter.
The second quarter started with Northwestern driving, but it was put to a halt rather early as they were forced to punt after a five-play drive. The Saints, starting at their own 20 after the Eagles punt, found themselves at the Northwestern 33-yard line eight plays later. However, Edwards was intercepted on the ensuing play by Northwestern's Nick Swore to end the CSS march. Earlier in the drive, the Saints had a 62-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Thompson negated due to a penalty.
After a few three-and-outs from each of the teams, with CSS having the ball on their own 18, Edwards was intercepted yet again trying to avoid a sack. The Eagles returned the interception to the seven-yard line, but were denied the end zone on three straight plays after solid play from the CSS defense. On 4th and goal the Northwestern kicker, Ben Lyons, had his field goal attempt blocked by St. Scholastica's Quinten McGregor to keep the game at 7-0 heading into the locker room.
Second Half
Northwestern, since they deferred the opening kickoff, were set to start the second half going against the Scholastica defense. For the first time in the game the Eagles put together a complete drive, marching down the field in 12 plays and punching in a touchdown from one yard out to tie the game at 7-7.
CSS looked to match Northwestern's drive with an excellent one of their own, but on the third play from scrimmage Ben Buthe had the ball knocked out of his arms on a six-yard carry to give the Eagles the ball at Scholastica's 46 yard-line.
Northwestern wasn't able to capitalize on the Buthe fumble, however, as they only managed to gain 18 yards before fumbling themselves after Blatz forced Dom McDew to give it right back to CSS. The remainder of the third quarter was scoreless as the Saints missed a 37-yard field goal with under two minutes left to go in the quarter.
Blatz had another opportunity to put the Saints up early in the fourth quarter with a 36-yard field goal attempt, but the Northwestern defensive line was too much as they were able to power through and block the kick to keep the game tied.
The Eagles were stalled out again by the CSS defense and were faced with a fourth-and-one at the CSS 44-yard-line. Northwestern decided to go for it and was stuffed in the backfield by Mitchell Wolter to give the ball to the Saints.
Edwards, with 9:35 left in the final quarter, looked to lead the Saints down the field for a go-ahead score. However, the Saints would be faced with a similar situation as the Eagles with a fourth-and-2 at the Northwestern 45-yard-line. Unlike the Eagles, St. Scholastica converted as Jack Peru picked up three yards on the option play. Later in the drive, the Saints had a third-and-11 at the Northwestern 21, but Edwards found Buthe for a key 16-yard gain and a first down. Four plays later, with the Saints facing a fourth and goal situation at the Northwestern one-yard line, Edwards found Jeff LeMay wide open in the end zone after a clever play-action call to fool the Northwestern defense and put the Saints up 14-7.
The Eagles and Saints then exchanged three-and-out possessions, with the Saints giving the ball back to Northwestern with one second remaining in the game. Taylor Lindahl's heave, which he let go from his own 31 yard-line, was batted away fifty yards down the field to secure the 14-7 win for St. Scholastica.
Key Team Stats
Total Yards: CSS-381, UNW-172
Passing Yards: CSS-304, UNW-72
Penalties: CSS-13 for 103, UNW 9 for 82
Third Down Conversions: CSS-7 of 18, UNW-1 of 11
Fourth Down Conversions: CSS-3 of 4, UNW-1 of 3
Top Performers for the Saints
Edwards and the receiving corps were responsible for most of the CSS yardage on the day, as Edwards himself completed 19-of-34 pass attempts for 304 yards with two touchdowns. LeMay led the rushing attack with 27 yards on nine carries. Olson led the receivers with 89 yards on four catches, one of them being a touchdown. LeMay also had four receptions as did Buthe.
Cal Germain recorded 10 tackles to lead the defense. Kenneth Jinkins had eight tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack. Jake Zoellick had seven tackles and a sack.
Top Performers for the Opponents
Northwestern was led by Lindahl, who went 7-for-15 for 72 yards through the air and recorded a rushing touchdown. Don McDew ran for 53 yards. Peyton Bowdry added 41 yards. Noah MacDonald and Daniel Stratton each recorded 11 tackles.
Up Next
The Saints (4-1, 4-0 UMAC) will now look to take care of their own Homecoming game as they host Iowa Wesleyan University next Saturday at Malosky Stadium at 2:30 p.m.