Game Time... Fourth-ranked Northwestern will host Dordt in a conference match-up and another edition of the Sioux County Showdown Series this weekend in Orange City. Kickoff on Korver Field at DeValois Stadium is scheduled for 1pm. Northwestern bring an unbeaten 4-0 league record, 5-0 overall, into Saturday's contest while Dordt is 2-1 in the GPAC, 3-1 overall.

Saturday's game marks the second contest in the 2018-19 Sioux County Showdown Series, a point-based athletic and academic competition between the two long-time rivals. As a sponsor of this series, I29 Sports has committed to several unique events over the course of the 2018/19 athletic season, including having special donation locations for each Dordt and Northwestern contest. The goal of the Series is to generate as much excitement from fans at each contest, as well as alumni across Iowa and the nation, while also raising funds for a great cause, culminating in awarding the Sioux County Showdown Champions Trophy in May. The goal is to help raise more than $5000 in year one of the event for Hunger Free Kids of Sioux County.

Follow the game live, via the NWC webcast, at the following link: Watch Now!

Legacy Day...Today is also Red Raider Football Legacy Day, a day to recognize all Red Raider football alumni who played from the 1972 - 1988 seasons.

This purpose of this day is to recognize the great accomplishments of this era of Red Raider football, and in particular the coaches who led the teams during this time. One special opportunity is to honor Mel Tjeerdsma, who is being inducted into the National Football Coaches Hall of Fame. It will also be a great opportunity to thank Coach Larry "Bub" Korver for his leadership during this time of incredible success for the Red Raider football program. All assistant coaches from this era will be invited and introduced as well.
 
In addition, we will recognize the 1973 and 1983 national championship teams on this day. This era also had several other NAIA national runners-up, semi-finalists and play-off contenders we would like to acknowledge.

All-Time...Northwestern is 10-0 all-time against the Defenders, playing once per year since the inaugural meeting in 2008. Last year, the Red Raiders earned a 41-23 home win, outscoring the Defenders 35-7 in the second half. 

By the Numbers...

 Dordt Offense (GPAC / NAIA-if top 10 rank)  vs Northwestern Defense (GPAC / NAIA-if top 10 rank) 
43ppg (2nd / 6th)                                                      15ppg (2nd)
467ypg (3rd)                                                             270ypg (2nd / 9th)
 285 rush ypg (1st / 4th)                                              106 rush ypg (1st)
 181 pass ypg (7th)                                                     164 pass ypg (3rd)
1.3 sacks vs (3rd)                                                     1.6 sacks (8th)
48% 3rd down (2nd / 10th)                                       27% 3rd down (3rd)
TO Margin: -4 (4 forced/8 given)

Dordt Defense (GPAC / NAIA-if top 10 rank)  vs Northwestern Offense (GPAC / NAIA-if top 10 rank)
25ppg (5th)                                                               39ppg (3rd)
387ypg (7th)                                                             452ypg (4th)
  129 rush ypg (4th)                                                     211 rush ypg (3rd)
  257 pass ypg (9th)                                                    241 pass ypg (3rd)
3 sacks/game (1st)                                                   1.2 sacks vs (1st)
31.7% 3rd down (5th)                                                42% 3rd down (6th)
                                                                                   TO Margin: +5 (11 forced / 6 given) 

Special Teams:
Dordt                                                                        Northwestern
5/5 FG                                                                      3/7 FG
20/21 PAT                                                                 22/26 PAT
Kick Return: 21yds/ (5th)                                           Kick Return: 14.4yds/ (10th)
Punt Return: 2.8yds/ (9th)                                          Punt Return: 7.1yds/ (7th)
Punt: 35yds/ (7th)                                                     Punt: 31.4yds/ (9th)

Dordt Stats Leaders:
Rush: Levi Schoonhoven - 49/338yds (8th), 6 TD (6th), 84.5ypg (6th)
          Keithen Drury - 57/286yds, 4 TD, 71.5ypg (9th)
Passing: Brock Lamle - 37/79, 700yds, 8 TD, 6 INT, 175ypg (6th)
Receiving: Levi Jungling - 16 catches, 347yds (7th), 2 TD, 86.8ypg (3rd)
                  Jake Dodge - 8 catches, 107yds, 2 TD, 26.8ypg
Tackles: Connor Bosma - 33 (6th)
              Nathan Kabongo - 30 (9th)
              Casey Byker - 29 
              Jordan Weiland - 26
Interceptions: Jordan Weiland / Nathan Kabongo-1
Sacks: Julius Buchanen 3

Northwestern Stats Leaders:
Rush: Jacob Kalogonis  118/684 (5th), 9 TD, 137yds/game (1st / 5th)
          Tyson Kooima  52/223, 4 TD  44.6ypg
Passing: Tyson Kooima  71/122, 1,151yds, 10 TD, 4 INT  230yds/game
Receiving: Shane Solberg  24 catches (3rd), 411yds (3rd), 4 TD, 82.2ypg (4th)
                  Jared Nelson  14 catches, 288yds (10th), TD, 57.6ypg
                  Canon Flores  12 catches, 176yds, TD
                  Cade Moser  12 catches, 208yds, 3 TD
Tackles: Sean Powell - 44 (5th)
              Bryce Van Beek - 28
              Tanner Machacek - 28
              Garrett Sayler - 27
              Logan Richard - 24
Interceptions: Bryce Van Beek - 4 (1st / 4th)
Sacks: Ben Granstra - 3 (T6th)