ST. PAUL, Minn. (Sept. 11, 2021) - The Buena Vista University football team was able to overcome seven turnovers by pitching a shutout defensively in the second half to pick up a big road win on Saturday night at the University of Northwestern (Minn). 58-21.

BVU turned the ball over on four of its first five possessions but trailed only 14-7 as its defense forced the Eagles to punt on consecutive drives.  Northwestern held a 21-14 lead early in the second quarter before Keaton Huebner pounded it in from one-yard out.  The extra-point try, however, hit the right upright and the Eagles continued to stay in front 21-20.  The Beavers grabbed their first lead of the night when Ramon Garcia nailed a 21-yard field goal with just over 2:00 left in the half to give BVU a 23-21 lead at the half.

It was the defense which was tough all night long and its what got the team going in the second half when Brady McConaty picked up a pick-six on the second play from scrimmage to extend the lead to 30-21.  It proved to be all Beavers from there, who forced UNW to punt on five drives and forced three more fumbles.  The Beavers held the Eagles to only 67 yards of offense in the second half and outgained them for the game, 554-224.  The offense has now chalked up 116 points in its first two games of the year and ranks in the top-five of DIII in scoring offense.

Quarterback Brandon Kyles rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to make it 37-21 before throwing back-to-back touchdown passes.  Back-up quarterback Austin Smith came on late in the fourth and connected with Quinn Hussey from 21 yards out for the first career touchdown pass for Smith and first touchdown grab for Hussey.

Kyles finished the game 19-of-28 through the air for 307 yards and the two scores despite being intercepted three times and sacked five times.  He also rushed 14 times for 45 yards and one score.

Huebner had a career night with 105 yards rushing on 18 carries and two touchdowns.  He also hauled in a receiving touchdown from 26 yards out.  Senior wide out Eric Pacheco had another standout performance with eight catches and 157 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown catch from Kyles, which moved him into sole possesion of second-place on the career touchdown list with 26.  He also added a 31-yard kickoff return and recovered one fumble on special teams.

Northwestern had -1 yards rushing for the game on 23 attempts.  Quarterback Ryan Flanigan completed 14-of-26 pass attempts for 177 yards and three touchdowns while being intercepted once.  Freshman Pako Gonzalez and Brandon Lance recorded 4.5 tackles apiece for the Beaver defense with Gonzalez also forcing one fumble and recovering one.  Tanner Frost had forced a fumble on a quarterback sack.

"Tonight was a test of our fortitude," said BVU head coach Grant Mollring. "We battled through adversity for much of the first half as we struggled again to hold on to the ball. Our defense was put in less than ideal circumstances with 5 first half turnovers but were able to limit the damage. A focused attack on offense in the second half and relentless defense proved to be the answer. I thought our special teams performed very well again this evening. This was a good test for us and we have more to clean up before next Saturday. It was great to get a road win and I appreciated our approach the entire trip."

Buena Vista (1-1) looks to carry the momentum over into its American Rivers Conference opener which is set for next Saturday, September 18, at Loras College (0-2).  Kickoff inside of the Rock Bowl is set for 1:00 p.m.