ST. PAUL, Minn. - In a stark contrast to last year's championship victory, the University of Minnesota Morris Football team suffered a tough 13-44 defeat against the University of Northwestern. The Cougars struggled to find momentum on both sides of the ball, while the Eagles executed with precision. After last year's triumph, this rematch serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of UMAC football, as Minnesota Morris looks to regroup and bounce back in the coming weeks. 

Northwestern opened the scoring on their first drive of the game, hitting a 24-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead early. The Cougar offense struggled to get things going on their first drive, being unable to turnover the downs after starting at the UNW 47. Juan "JT" Garza punted for 28 yards to end the drive at the Northwestern 18. The Eagles showed their versatility on offense in the following drive with a solid possession that ended with a touchdown and extra point kick to take a 10-0 lead. Minnesota Morris took back possession with 5:01 left on the clock and put together a drive that brought them from the UMM 32 to the UNW 23. The first quarter ended with the Cougars down 0-10 but in possession of the football 13 yards from the endzone. 

Continuing their drive in the second quarter, Minnesota Morris scored their first touchdown of the game with 12:17 left on the game clock. Izayah Boss, a critical component of the Cougar offense, was the one to score on a one yard rush. Northwestern blocked the extra point attempt, resulting in a 6-10 score early in the second quarter. With both teams heating up on defense, the next four drives of the game were quick. Northwestern took back possession with 6:05 left on the clock and put together their third scoring drive of the game. Despite a solid effort from Alex Emmrich and the Cougar defense, the Eagles took their lead even further to 17-6, where it remained going into halftime.

Receiving in the second half, Minnesota Morris began their first drive of the third quarter at their own 37-yard line. With Bryson Drake at the helm for the offense, the Cougars put together four first downs but were stopped short at the Northwestern 15-yard line. Logan Ahlers' field goal attempt was unsuccessful keeping the score 6-17. The Eagles took possession at their own 20-yard line with 7:10 on the game clock, making a scoring campaign that took them to the UMM 10-yard line. Northwestern's field goal attempt was blocked by Carter Maurice of the Minnesota Morris defense, recovered by Garza for an 87-yard touchdown. Ahlers launched his kick through the uprights, bringing the Cougar's back into the game with a score of 13-17 with 32 seconds on the clock in the third quarter. 

The Northwestern offense opened up the fourth quarter with touchdowns on their first and second drives of the quarter that Minnesota Morris was unable to respond to. Down 13-30, the Cougars took possession at their own 15-yard line but a sack fumble gave the Eagles the ball back at the UMM 15. Scoring again, Northwestern took a commanding 37-13 lead that only expanded with a 65 yard touchdown off an interception on the Cougar's next drive. Minnesota Morris took possession down 44-13 with 2:38 left on the clock. The Cougars made it as far as their 40-yard line, before the clock expired in the fourth quarter with the Eagles leading 44-13.

Boss led the Cougars in rushing with 106 yards gained on the day. Drake was second in rushing yards with 33 gained, and passed for a total of 74 yards. Orion Knakmuhs hauled in two passes for 29 receiving yards. 

Emmrich totaled up seven solo tackles and five assists for twelve on the day. Darrick Baartman and Gregory Ohman each had seven tackles for the Cougars. Ohman also had a blocked kick and a QB hurry. Chayce Meyer made six tackles, including one for eight yards of loss and 0.5 sacks for six yards of loss. Maurice made five tackles, with 1.5 being for seven yards of loss and 0.5 sacks for six yards of loss, in addition to a blocked kick and a QB hurry. Garza also made five tackles and had one fumble recovery for a touchdown. 

Cougar Football will play Greenville University at home Oct. 26. The game is schedule for a 12 pm kick-off.