Northwestern coach Josh Snyder stresses special teams play as much as any coach and that focus played a big role in the Tigers third win of the season, a 45-6 rain-soaked contest against Pen Argyl. Special teams came up with a blocked punt that led to a touchdown and a long field goal, helping the Tigers to a 3-0 start and sending the Green Knights to their third straight loss.

With Pen Argyl punting from deep in its own territory after their first possession of the game, Harry Hall got a hand on the ball, giving Northwestern a first down on the Knights 13-yard line. Three plays later, the Tigers took the lead when quarterback Frank Dangello hit Cam Richardson for the first score of the game. Brandon Miller added the first of his six extra points on the day, putting the Tigers up 7-0.

Besides being perfect on extra point attempts, Miller was called upon to attempt a 40-yard field goal in the rain and nailed it with a few yards to spare. A field goal of that distance isn't a no-brainer to call for, especially with wet turf and a pretty heavy rain falling, but Snyder was glad he made the decision.

"It's never easy for me, being an offensive coach," he said. "I want to go for seven every time. But you've got a kicker and he's a weapon and has proven it, so instead of not getting any points after a good drive, you at least have something to show for it. It's momentum for your team."

Miller has been an unsung hero for the team and played a big role in the team winning the Eastern Conference Championship last season. Snyder has full confidence in Miller's abilities and believes that the junior kicker has earned the right to get his chances.

"As a sophomore last year, he had the extra point in overtime against Catty to win it with a lot of pressure and then fast forward to North Schuylkill and he made two field goals," said Snyder. "He's been in those types of situations, that's why it's fairly comfortable that we put him in there and we have confidence. It's a luxury to have a kicker that's pretty constant."

Senior Cam Richardson found the end zone three times for Northwestern, catching touchdown passes of 17 and 23 yards from Dangello and rushing for an 80-yard run from scrimmage early in the game to help the Tigers stretch their lead. Richardson finished the day with 82 yards rushing and 79 yards receiving.

Junior running back Brett Schillinger got his first touchdown of the season when he ran 20 yards for the Tigers final score of the day. Dangello had a one-yard run for a touchdown and threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Breininger to account for the Tigers scoring on the day.

The six points that Pen Argyl put on the board were the first allowed by the Northwestern first-team defense this season. Overall, the Tigers have outscored their opponents 118-12 this eason.

"Out of our first three games, I thought we were most balanced today," said Snyder. "It was nice to see that we could stay balanced and go double-tight end at times and spread at others and really keep them off balance."