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Northwestern College Athletics

Northwestern College
HOME OF NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS ATHLETICS
HONORING CHRIST THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
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32
Winner Northwestern NC 9-2
29
Montana Tech (MT) MT 9-3
Winner
Northwestern NC
9-2
32
Final
29
Montana Tech (MT) MT
9-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NC Northwestern 6 17 6 3 32
MT Montana Tech (MT) 0 14 0 15 29

Game Recap: Football | | NWC Athletic Communications

Stader’s Kick Scrapes Through as Northwestern Advances to NAIA Quarterfinals

BUTTE, Mont. – High-level football was on display in the high altitudes of the Summit Valley, as Eli Stader's 51-yard attempt with time dwindling pushed Northwestern to a 32-29 win on Saturday.

"Our guys made key plays throughout the game, and to respond to the momentum that Montana Tech came up with in the fourth quarter was big," head coach Matt McCarty said.

Northwestern controlled the first half, as an interception from Cody Moser set the Raiders up for their first drive at the Montana Tech 39, where Stader sent the ball through the uprights from 49 yards to put the first three points on the board. Defensive turnovers also set up the next Raider scoring drive, as Korver Demma stripped the ball away on a sack with the Orediggers in plus territory to give the ball back to Northwestern. An eight-play drive with seven rush attempts set Stader up from 36, where he pushed it through to make the score 6-0 with two minutes left in the first.
Tech put together its first scoring drive of the game to open the second quarter, using a 51-yard pass to get into Northwestern territory before Landers Smith closed the drive with a forceful run across the plane.

Logan Meyer helped the Red Raiders answer with a 34-yard run into the red zone before Konner McQuillan high-stepped in for six on the swing pass from Colby Duncan to make the score 13-7 with 7:38 until halftime.

"Konner and Logan ran really hard today," noted McCarty. "Getting their one-two punch going and adding Colby in the mix to create misdirection has been big for us."

Another big play from the Orediggers capped a 77-yard drive and gave Montana Tech the lead on the ensuing drive, but Northwestern once again came back with a score, as Austyn Gerard made an acrobatic grab to accumulate 73 yards and move ahead 20-14. On their next possession, the Raiders went into their two-minute drill to set Stader up from 26, where he converted to push the lead to nine at halftime.

Northwestern extended its lead on the initial drive of the second half, as a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive, preceding a 42-yard touchdown run from McQuillan to give the Raiders their biggest lead of the day at 29-14.

After a defensive struggle ensued for the rest of the third, Montana Tech exploded for 15 points in less than three minutes, starting with a blocked punt that wound up in the end zone.

Moving ahead, tied 29-29, the Raiders had their backs against the wall as the Orediggers hit a crossing route for 19 yards to the 44. On a deep ball on 1st and 10, Cody Moser came up with one of the most important plays in his storied career, picking off the pass at the 10 and returning it to midfield.

"Cody made an outstanding effort play to give us a chance for a field goal to win the game," McCarty added.

A 17-yard Meyer rush put the Raiders in business with less than a minute to go, running out the clock until the final three seconds. Stader was then called on from 51, as his long attempt swept over the crossbar for the win.

"None of Eli's kicks were easy," McCarty said. "He's such a weapon for us because we feel like we can get points when we get across the 50-yard line."

GAME NOTES
  • Eli Stader was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals, converting on kicks from 49, 36, 26, and 51 yards.
  • Parker Fryar led all players with 12 tackles.
  • Cody Moser had two crucial interceptions, including one with a 38-yard return to set up the game-winning field goal.
  • Moser now sits in Northwestern's top-10 in career interceptions with 16.
  • Korver Demma had a sack and forced fumble.
  • Colby Duncan totaled 170 yards and two touchdowns, with 130 yards through the air.
  • Konner McQuillan reached the end zone twice, rushing for 116 yards and catching three passes for 34 yards.
  • Austyn Gerard caught two passes for 86 yards and a score.
  • Logan Meyer carried the ball 13 times for 83 yards.
Up Next: Northwestern heads to Des Moines for the NAIA Quarterfinals next Saturday, meeting No. 2 Grand View (Iowa) for a noon kickoff.
Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut
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