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football-naia-coaches-poll-poll5-2023

Football NWC Athletic Communications

Red Raiders Remain Unanimous Top-Ranked Team in NAIA Coaches' Poll

NWC took all 18 first-place votes for fifth-straight poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the fifth-straight poll, the Northwestern College football team is the unanimous No.1 ranked team in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Coaches' Poll, the national office announced this afternoon.    
Northwestern has now been ranked inside the top-5 for the 30th-straight poll, and sixth-straight poll (including preseason poll) ranked No. 1 in the nation.
 
This week's edition of the NAIA top-25 comes following a 45-7 Homecoming win over Hastings, where the Red Raiders scored the first 45 points of the contest. It marked 17th-straight wins for NWC over the Warriors. The program record win streak continues at 19-straight wins and counting.
 
The Red Raiders are one of 10 undefeated teams left in the NAIA this season. Michael Storey (Sr., Spencer, Iowa) leads the nation receiving yards per game (124.8) and the reigning Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Defensive Player of the Week Cody Moser (Jr., Rock Valley, Iowa) sits tied for the national lead with his five interceptions this season. Storey now has four 100-yard receiving games this season.
 
The offense continues to be one of the best in the NAIA. Northwestern enters this week sixth in the NAIA in total yards per game (476.0), having 500+ yards in two games this season. The Red Raiders also sit third in first downs per game (27.3). Additionally, the Red Raider passing attack sits ninth in the NAIA at 282.3 yards per game.
 
Within the GPAC, Northwestern leads the league in passing offense with their 282.3 yards per game and 5.7 yards per rush average. The NWC 18 rushing touchdowns also leads the conference, while the 15 passing touchdowns sits third in the league.
 
The Red Raider offense has been humming of late. Two-time Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Offensive Player of the Week Jalyn Gramstad has switched modes this year and has picked apart defenses with his arm and decisions throwing the football. He enters the week still leading the GPAC in passing yards per game (280.0), completion percentage (70.8). Moreover, his 15 passing touchdowns sits second, while his 9.5 yards per attempts sits second in the league in quarterbacks with more than 100 attempts on the season.
 
The run game has been highlighted by Konner McQuillan as he continues to rise in the NWC rushing record books. He leads the team with his 849 (net) yards on the season, averaging a league-best 7.6 yards per carry. He sits second in rushing yards per game at 97.3 and retakes the lead in rushing scores (9).

The NAIA top-remains the same from last week with no changes. Northwestern at No. 1, Grand View at No. 2, and Morningside at No. 3, Indiana Wesleyan slides No. 4, and Marian (Ind.) at No. 5.
 
In the GPAC, along with Northwestern and Morningside, the Dordt Defenders drop down to No. 22 after their first loss of the season to Midland on Saturday.
 
GPAC IN THE TOP-25
No. 1 NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS (6-0, 5-0 GPAC)
No. 3 Morningside Mustangs (6-0, 5-0 GPAC)
No. 22 Dordt Defenders (4-1, 4-1 GPAC)
 
The full top-25 list can be found at the link at the top of the story. Northwestern hits the road for Sioux City to battle the Chargers of Briar Cliff (2-4, 2-3 GPAC) on Saturday from Memorial Field.


Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders#RaidersStandOut
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Players Mentioned

Jalyn Gramstad

#12 Jalyn Gramstad

QB
6' 0"
Junior
Konner McQuillan

#3 Konner McQuillan

RB
6' 0"
Senior
Cody Moser

#4 Cody Moser

DB
6' 2"
Junior
Michael Storey

#4 Michael Storey

WR
6' 3"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Jalyn Gramstad

#12 Jalyn Gramstad

6' 0"
Junior
QB
Konner McQuillan

#3 Konner McQuillan

6' 0"
Senior
RB
Cody Moser

#4 Cody Moser

6' 2"
Junior
DB
Michael Storey

#4 Michael Storey

6' 3"
Senior
WR