UMAC Game of the Week: Northwestern vs. Eureka - Football

UMAC Game of the Week: Northwestern vs. Eureka - Football

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The UMAC Game of the Week runs each Thursday during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport. The 2017-18 season also welcomes the UMAC Weekly Update covering the Game of the Week and other important happenings from around the UMAC. 

UPDATE---Northwestern defeats Eureka 19-13 in overtime

The Matchup
Saturday, Sept. 9 - Eureka College at the University of Northwestern, football, 12 p.m. in St. Paul, Minnesota

What's at Stake
  • Revenge - Northwestern defeated Eureka 37-15 in the final game of the season to win the conference title 
  • An early edge - Both teams were picked in the top 4 in the Preseason Coaches' Poll and received first place votes. The winner gains an advantage in the standings that could have impact down the road.

Previously in Action
  • Northwestern lost to Augsburg Saturday night 42-7 in the non-conference season opener
  • Eureka fell in the last 14 seconds to Knox 28-21 in its first-ever game under the lights on renovated McKinzie Field

Need to Know
  • Defense, defense, defense - Northwestern and Eureka had the top two defenses in conference games a season ago allowing 13.1 ppg and 17.1 ppg, respectively.
  • Ball control - Last season, Eureka turned the ball over four times leading to 13 points for Northwestern. 
  • Convert on 3rd down - The two teams combined went just 6-of-27 on 3rd down last week. Both will need to improve to gain an edge Saturday. 

Players to Watch - Northwestern
  • Gideon Burnham, Sr., LB - All-UMAC last season; 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sack in loss to Augsburg 
  • Taylor Lindhal, Jr., QB - 15 completions for 177 yards, long pass of 56 yards in week one
  • Daniel Stratton, Sr., DB - 11 tackles including five solo against Augsburg
  • Gavin Welch, So., WR - 7 reception for 66 yards last week

Players to Watch - Eureka
  • Drew Barth, So., QB - 15-of-21 for 149 yards and 1 TD, 15 rushes for 97 yards in loss to Knox
  • Leanthony Reasnover, Jr., RB - All-UMAC last season; 19 carries for 88 yards last week
  • Rhett Rondinelli, Fy., RB - 8 carries for 108 yards and 2 TD versus Knox
  • Ray Vogel, Sr., DL - All-UMAC last season; 9 tackles including 2.5 for a loss in week one

This game will be a "can't miss." Keep up with live video and live stats from Northwestern and get in on the action by interacting on social media (#UMACgotw). 

2017-18 Game of the Week Archives