NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College football team was unable to solve the riddle of the University of Northwestern (Minn.) defense in a 30-14 defeat on Saturday.

The Eagles jumped out to a first half lead thanks to a grinding run game that chewed up 177 yards on 29 first half attempts on the way to a 27-7 UNW lead at the half.

The lone MLC score came early in the frist quarter when sophomore cornerback Joseph Herrewig answered the Eagles' first touchdown drive with a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The return was the first MLC kick return for a score since 2015, and the longest kickoff return since the 2007 season.

The defense held the Eagles to only three points in the second half, but the offense was unable to generate any points until the final minutes of the fourth quarter, when Nate Stein capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

The Knights were able to get positive yards on the ground for much of the game, but were unable to come up with any long runs to keep drives going and create field position. They finished with 120 yards on 43 carries, with Ian Paulsen leading the way with 49 yards on 17 attempts. 

Paulsen and the passing game had a difficult time in windy conditions, completing seven of 23 for 82 yards. Michael Radue was the top receiver with a pair of catches for 40 yards.

The defense found its footing against the run as the game progressed, holding the Eagles to 93 yards on 23 carries in the second half. Tristan Pankow led the team with 12 tackles. Keith Brassow recorded one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Herrewig also added an interception and six tackles to his special teams score.

MLC fell to 4-4 on the season and 3-4 in UMAC play in defeat, while the Eagles improved to 4-4 overall and 4-3 in league play with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, October 28, when they travel to Crown College for a game scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m.