Expected by many to improve its record to 3-0 this Saturday, Northwestern instead came away from West Point with its first loss of the 2011 season.
Army (1-2) was able to defeat Northwestern (2-1) after scoring a go-ahead touchdown with only 2:49 remaining, giving the Black Knights a 21-14 lead, which would be the eventual final score.
Led by quarterback Trent Steelman, Army was able to run wild on Northwestern’s defense. Though Steelman only completed one pass for six yards the entire game, he rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns. The Black Knights racked up 381 yards on the ground against Northwestern, while the ‘Cats only gained 309 total yards.
Steelman began the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but an impressive Jeremy Ebert touchdown grab in the second quarter from quarterback Kain Colter tied the game at seven. A missed 26-yard field goal by Wildcats’ kicker Jeff Budzien as the second quarter expired kept the score tied at the half.
With the Wildcats down 14-7 in the fourth quarter, Colter was benched in favor of Trevor Siemian, as the Northwestern offense was unable to find its rhythm with Colter under center. For the third straight week, Dan Persa did not play, even though he was medically cleared.
Siemian played well in his limited time on the field, helping Northwestern tie the score after finding Jeremy Ebert over the middle, who took it the distance for a 62-yard touchdown catch with 6:03 remaining. The touchdown tied the score at 14 points apiece.
But Steelman proceeded to lead the Black Knights on their game-winning drive, capped off by his 1-yard touchdown run.
A final drive attempt by Siemian and the Northwestern offense came up short when the ‘Cats turned it over on downs in Army territory.
Northwestern dropped to 2-1, and has a bye week before a road game against Illinois on Oct. 1.
More coverage to follow