UMAC Game of the Week: Northwestern at Eureka - Football
UMAC Game of the Week Archives
ST. PAUL -- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Game of the Week is a feature that takes place each week throughout the conference portion of the season with one contest being selected and highlighted as the UMAC Game of the Week.
The first UMAC Game of the Week of 2014-2015 will take place on Saturday, September 13 as the University of Northwestern travels to Eureka College in week one of UMAC football action. Both teams finished in the top four of the league last season and were predicted to again finish near the top of the conference standings in 2014. Kickoff is schedule for 1 p.m. at Pete FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field on Saturday.
About the Eagles
Northwestern opened the 2014 season with a 17-16 come-from-behind nonconference victory over St. Olaf College in its debut of the newly renovated Reynolds Field last Saturday night. Trailing the Oles throughout the entire game, Eagles quarterback Jacob Fletcher connected with Jacob Fettig on a five-yard pass to tie the game before Ben Lyons’ successful PAT kick put UNW on top. Just as impressive as the offensive comeback was the resiliency of Northwestern’s defense, which held St. Olaf scoreless for nearly the final 32 minutes of the game.
The Eagles showcased a balanced attack on offense, earning eight of their 18 first downs by way of the run while rushing for 187 net yards. The combo ground attack of Josh Sinnen and Chris Simon-Wallace, which Northwestern featured in 2012, returned last Saturday and gives UNW solid weapons to run its offensive sets. Fletcher finished with a 20-for-31 night, producing 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions. Fletcher’s poise showed as he led Northwestern on a 12-play, 89-yard drive that ended in the Eagles’ late-game score. Joe Sutton caught seven of Fletcher’s 20 completions, leading the team with 78 yards.
Northwestern seeks to avenge last year’s 26-9 loss to Eureka when the Eagles were only able to scrounge up 15 total rushing yards against the Red Devils. In a season that saw Josh Sinnen go over 1,100 yards, the then-junior posted a mere 33 yards on Sept. 13, 2013, but UNW’s total offense was hurt as the other two rushers both finished with negative yardage.
About the Red Devils
Eureka is coming off its first season-opening loss since 2011. The Red Devils were defeated on a last second play against Knox College of the Midwest Conference in the third annual Lincoln Bowl last Saturday.
Blake Robles returned at quarterback for the Red Devils, the pre-season All-American threw for 2,672 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2013. He threw for 162 yards and 1 touchdown in last Saturday’s contest while freshman running back Jake Rapson was also impressive running for 96 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
Defensively, the Red Devils were highlighted by starting defensive lineman, Austin Blair, who accounted for 15 total tackles this past Saturday. Transfer defensive back Jordan Blair had two picks in the contest.
Game Notes
- Saturday will be Northwestern’s first road contest this season. The Eagles went 3-2 away from Reynolds Field in 2013.
-Sixth-year RedDevil head coach Kurt Barth has a 3-2 record all-time in home openers.
- Northwestern and Eureka are tied at two wins apiece in the all-time series, which began in 2010 with the Red Devils joining the UMAC. Each team has won at least one time on the opponent’s home field.
-The point totals for each team over their four contests against each other both equal 97 points.
- Northwestern l
inebacker Luke Sommerlot had a career-high 14 tackles last Saturday against St. Olaf. The senior has had three double-digit tackle games in his career.
-Only 18 current Red Devils participated in last year’s contest against the Eagles.
Northwestern Recap |
Eurkea Recap |
Final Score: UNW 48, EC 16
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