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Northwestern College Athletics

Northwestern College
HOME OF NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS ATHLETICS
HONORING CHRIST THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
Nike
fb-recap-hastings-240907
41
Winner Northwestern NWC 1-0 , 1
7
Hastings HASTINGS 0-2 , 0
Winner
Northwestern NWC
1-0 , 1
41
Final
7
Hastings HASTINGS
0-2 , 0
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NWC Northwestern 10 24 7 0 41
HASTINGS Hastings 0 0 0 7 7

Game Recap: Football | | NWC Athletic Communications

Football Season Kicks Off with Victorious Road Trip

HASTINGS, Neb. – The second-ranked Red Raider football team opened its 2024 campaign on Saturday afternoon, hitting the road to face the Hastings Broncos in GPAC action. Northwestern struck early to set up a 41-7 win in the season opener.

It was a coach's dream to start the contest as Northwestern forced a turnover and scored within the opening minute. On the first drive, Tristan Mulder recovered a fumble in Hastings territory, putting the Red Raider offense in prime position. The play that followed saw quarterback Hayden Groos drop the ball in the back of the end zone to find Tanner Schouten on a deep route for a 34-yard score.

"Not having played a game, how we started was going to be really important," said head coach Matt McCarty. "We knew we wanted to be aggressive offensively, and going up top on the first play for a touchdown – it couldn't have started better for our guys."

After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Northwestern marched back down the field, reaching the 9-yard line where Eli Stader converted on a 26-yard attempt to put the Raiders ahead 10-0.

The Groos-to-Schouten connection was successful again to start the second quarter, as the duo used a 27-yard pass-and-catch to move ahead 17-0.

Next time down the field, Northwestern took over at its own 30, and Austyn Gerard blew by his defender, getting the ball in open space and taking it 63 yards to the house.

The Red Raider scoring streak continued in the second, this time reaching paydirt on a 23-yard rush from Konner McQuillan to push the score to 31-0. A Stader kick made it 34-0 at the break.

In the final drive for the starting offense, Logan Meyer barreled through on four consecutive rushes in a 65-yard drive that saw Sam Remmerde bobble in a one-handed catch to the 1-yard line before McQuillan powered in for the touchdown.

Northwestern held the Broncos to 165 yards of total offense, including -5 yards rushing.

"Defensively, we feel like we have a really special group," McCarty commented. "We have a lot of experience returning, and the way our guys up front can control things is pretty elite. If we can make teams one-dimensional, we are going to be good defensively."

GAME NOTES
  • Hayden Groos led the passing attack, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in his Red Raider debut.
  • Groos completed 16 of 21 passes (76.19%) and had a QBR of 247.3.
  • Austyn Gerard caught six passes for a career-high 136 yards and a score.
  • Gianna Bennett converted on an extra point, becoming the first female to score in a game in GPAC history.
  • Tanner Schouten was on the receiving end of two touchdowns, totaling 76 yards.
  • Konner McQuillan rushed for 52 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
  • The Raiders won the battle of the trenches, giving up only two sacks.
  • Kole Telford led the team in tackles with six.
  • Parker Fryar had five tackles, including one for loss.
  • Tristan Mulder recovered a fumble and picked off a pass.
Up Next: The Raiders will celebrate their home opener and Senior Day next Saturday, welcoming the Mount Marty Lancers to Korver Field at De Valois Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut
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