MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team fell to the University of Northwestern, 21-3, in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action on Saturday afternoon in Morris, Minn.
 
The Eagles improve to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the UMAC, while the Cougars drop to 2-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
 
The Cougar defense came up strong early, forcing a three-and-out on Northwestern's opening drive. Arian Saenz made the first tackle of the game, and two incomplete passes stalled the Eagles' drive. Following a short 19-yard punt, Minnesota Morris took over at the UNW 35-yard line. After gaining just five yards on three plays, the Cougars elected to go for it on fourth down. Bryson Drake connected with Manny Guy for a six-yard gain to move the chains. Later in the drive, Drake scrambled for eight yards, setting up a first down inside the 10. On fourth-and-six, UMM settled for a field goal, and Logan Ahlers split the uprights for the game's opening score.
 
Late in the first quarter, Saenz intercepted UNW quarterback Basil Demco, setting the Cougars up with excellent field position once again. On the first play of the drive, Drake found Jacob Wilmes for an eight-yard completion. Sean-Keley Chinanga rushed for three yards to convert the first down, then added six more to push the Cougars into the red zone as the quarter ended.
 
Unfortunately, the drive ended without points. A sack pushed UMM out of field goal range, and a failed fourth-down attempt gave the ball back to Northwestern. The Eagles then found success on the ground, mixing in mid-range runs before scoring on a short touchdown pass from the UMM three-yard line to take a 7-3 lead.
 
On the ensuing possession, the Cougars drove into the red zone again, but a fumble ended the scoring threat early in the second quarter. Just three plays later, Dino Villalobos intercepted Demco to give the Cougars another shot, this time from the UNW 30-yard line. However, another UMM fumble ended that promising drive. Northwestern capitalized on the turnover, marching downfield and adding another touchdown to take a 14-3 lead into halftime.
 
Minnesota Morris received the second-half kickoff and engineered a long, methodical drive that again reached the red zone. However, back-to-back sacks forced a 35-yard field goal attempt. Ahlers' kick was on target but fell just short, bouncing off the crossbar.
The Cougars were driving again to start the fourth quarter, but the possession ended in another turnover, setting up Northwestern with excellent field position. The Eagles scored from 11 yards out to extend the lead to 21-3.
 
Minnesota Morris couldn't find the end zone the rest of the way and ultimately fell 21-3.
 
Hayden Charboneau played the whole second half at quarterback for UMM totaling 58 yards of passing offense. Drake added 41 yards through the air and 15 on the ground. Chinanga was the team's leading rushing with 25 yards. Orion Knkmuhs had a team-high 52 receiving yards.
 
Defensively, Saenz paced the team with 12 tackles with Gregory Ohman following with 10. The Cougars recorded three sacks with Dylan Young leading the team with one and a half. Saenz and Villalobos each recorded a pick.
 
On special teams, Ahlers went 1-for-2 in t field goals. Trever Cockerill totaled 75 yards on two punts. Juan "JT" Garza III totaled 25 yards on a kickoff return and 18 yards on a punt return.
 
The Cougars return to action next Saturday, October 25, as they travel to Greenville University for a noon kickoff.