LINCOLN, Neb. -- Ben Green caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Craig Bruinsma on the second drive of the third quarter and that would be the only score of the game as 16th-ranked Northwestern defeated Nebraska Wesleyan 8-0 in GPAC football action at Abel Stadium.

NWU (1-3, 1-2 GPAC) held Northwestern to 281 total yards of offense, but it was the one big play in the second half that hurt the Prairie Wolves.  On offense, the Prairie Wolves missed two attempts at field goals, had (-62) yards rushing, were sacked six times and had three pass interceptions as the Red Raider defense was as tough as advertised.

Nebraska Wesleyan had their chances late as they drove into Northwestern territory in the fourth quarter and had a key 4th & 1 play.  A run up the middle was stuffed at the line of scrimmage as the Red Raiders held. After punts were exchanged, Northwestern drove the ball all the way to the NWU 9-yard line.  On 4th & 4, instead of sealing the win with a field goal, Northwestern elected to go for it.  Quarterback Craig Bruinsma was hit and the pass was intercepted by NWU's Seth Wardyn and returned to the 33-yard line of the Red Raiders.

NWU picked up one first down and moved up to the 47-yard line, but two straight sacks and an incomplete pass set up a 4th & 27 for the final gasp.  An attempt at a hook and latter was fumbled as the game ended.

The first half was full of mistakes for both teams, especially on special teams.  NWU marched right down the field on their first possession of the game but a mishandled snap on a field goal attempt did not give the Prairie Wolves a scoring opportunity.

On the very next offensive drive for NWU, a 54-yard pass play to Connor Zumpfe put the Prairie Wolves in scoring position once again.  Getting inside the 10-yard line is all the farther NWU could muster as they had to settle for another field goal attempt.  This time the attempt was blocked by the Red Raiders.

Neither team was able to score in the first half as the NWU defense held the Red Raiders to only 109 total yards of offense.  The teams exchanged punts to open the second half, then Northwestern took over the ball directly at midfield.  On their first play, Bruinsma threw a deep fade pattern to Green who got past the NWU defender to score.  The PAT attempt was blocked, but Green picked up the ball and ran it in for a 2-point conversion.

The NWU offense could never must up anything on offense as they finished with 202 total yards of offense.  The Prairie Wolves passed for 264 yards, but had (-62) yards on the ground thanks to six quarterback sacks and mishandled snaps.

Tyler Francis finished the game 20-47 for 264 yards with three interceptions.  Connor Zumpfe was his favorite target once again making six catches for 147 yards, marking his third straight game over 100 yards receiving.

Kalen Vandenberg led NWU with 11 total tackles.  Hunter Hand 10 tackles with 2.0 quarterback sacks and 3.0 tackles-for-loss. Phil Latimer had a huge day up front with nine tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss , a quarterback sack and a QB hurry.

NWU will look to bounce back next Saturday with their big matchup at Doane College in the 100th meeting between the two old rivals.