The Knights have a 5-21 program record vs. Northwestern.

The Eagles won last year's game 24-17. In that game, Brady Turriff went 22-for-40 for 271 yards, Ben Vasold caught 8 passes for 137 yards and Arthur Robinson scored twice while rushing for 69 yards.

The Eagles have won the last five meetings.

The Job at Hand
"This week has been about focus first and foremost," coach Paul Huebner said. "I mentioned that a couple weeks ago as well, but when we go into a game like this, when it is homecoming and there's all sorts of activities going on. There's friends and family in town and there's a buzz about campus, but also it's trying to remember our job is to win a football game on Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock.

"All the other distractions need to be set aside for the sake of making sure that they are preparing."

MLC heading into UMAC play
Despite its 0-3 record, MLC still ranks among the best statistically in the UMAC. The offense ranks third in the conference with 314.7 yards per game. Defensively, the Knights rank second, giving up 369.7 yards per game.

That offensive success has come in large part thanks to a potent passing offense that tops the UMAC, averaging 249.3 yards per game. However, MLC has found it difficult to move the ball on the ground, where it averages a league-low 65.3 yards per game. Quarterback Brady Turriff has thrown for 748 yards and four touchdowns thus far. He was without his top target, Jude Pederson, against Crown and he was able to find six different receivers.

"That same mindset will apply this week," Huebner said. "Can we take what the defense gives us and do so without mistake to march down the field and score. We rarely get explosive plays against Northwestern historically [because] they're smart, they're disciplined, their DBs play well and they play deep."

Defensively, Huebner said he liked what he saw from his group against Crown and they are taking a lot of momentum into this week.

"Our defense played a phenomenal game against Crown a couple of weeks ago and held them to 13 points and 222 yards I believe it was and 87 of those on one touchdown pass in the first quarter that they did very well," Huebner said. "So it's, can they keep that confidence and momentum going this week? I believe they can."

Northwestern heading into UMAC play
Northwestern ranks fourth in the UMAC in both offensive and defensive yardage. The offense averages 280 yards per game while the defense has given up an average of 394 yards per game.

Similar to the Knights, the Eagles have relied more on the pass than the run this season. They rank second in the league with 202.3 passing yards per game and are second-last in rushing output, 77.7 yards per game. Quarterback Elijah Alexander has thrown for 575 yards, which is second to Turriff in the conference. 

"He's big, he's physical, he's mobile, and so that will present some challenges to our defense in a different way, making sure we contain him, especially on passing plays keeping him in the pocket," Huebner said. "If we have the opportunity to get a sack, finishing those sacks in the backfield. Against Crown a couple of weeks ago, we didn't do a very good job of that."

Alexander's top targets are Braeden Little, who is second in receiving yardage behind MLC's Pederson, and Isaiah Voss. Little has 201 yards receiving and Voss has 150.

Defensively, Huebner said that Northwestern's defense executes at a high level.

"They are just sound and execute their base," Huebner said. "They're not trying to trick you, they're not trying to throw curve balls at you. They're just going to throw fastballs and you've got to hit it.

"They're not going to let you beat them deep. They're going to force you to march down the field and play error-free football in order to score points. It's been that way all five years that I've been here playing against them. They're always very sound defensively."