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HOME OF NORTHWESTERN RED RAIDERS ATHLETICS
HONORING CHRIST THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETICS
Nike
fb-recap-251011
28
Winner Northwestern NWC 3-3 , 3
0
Briar Cliff (IA) BCU 4-3 , 3
Winner
Northwestern NWC
3-3 , 3
28
Final
0
Briar Cliff (IA) BCU
4-3 , 3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NWC Northwestern 6 6 0 16 28
BCU Briar Cliff (IA) 0 0 0 0 0

Game Recap: Football | | NWC Athletic Communications

Raiders Overcome Adversity for Shutout Win

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Following a team bus accident on their way to the game, the Red Raider football team rallied together to accomplish the task for Saturday, shutting out Briar Cliff 28-0.

"I'm so proud of our guys, how they rallied together, played for one another, and just competed," head coach Matt McCarty stated. " We just needed to find a spark, and I think that might have been it for us."

Northwestern opened the first quarter with a steady offensive drive. Colby Duncan connected with Austyn Gerard for 19 yards, setting up a series of plays that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Duncan, putting the Red Raiders ahead 6-0.

Defensively, the Raiders took control as Jacob Dragstra and Trystin Voss combined for a crucial sack, forcing a fumble recovered by Brodie VanRegenmorter, which set up another scoring opportunity. Northwestern's defense remained effective, highlighted by another sack by Dragstra and Jackson Smythe, keeping the Chargers scoreless as the quarter concluded with Northwestern leading 6-0.
The second quarter began with the Raiders' offense unable to capitalize on early possession, resulting in a punt by Luke Jeltema after a stalled drive. The defense responded effectively, with Smythe making a crucial tackle to halt BCU's advance, forcing a turnover on downs.

Northwestern regained possession and Duncan connected with Carson Ness for a 27-yard gain. This drive, however, ended in a punt following a sack. The Chargers' subsequent drive resulted in a missed field goal, allowing the Raiders to hold a 6-0 lead.

With less than a minute remaining, Northwestern orchestrated a quick 66-yard scoring drive highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Duncan to Tanner Schouten, helping the Raiders extend their lead to 12-0.

The third quarter commenced with Northwestern's defense halting Briar Cliff's initial drive, highlighted by Kylar Fritz and Smythe's combined stop for no gain and a pass breakup by Brock Fisher. After the defensive stand forced a punt, Duncan orchestrated a drive, completing a 14-yard pass to Gardner Casey before an interception by BCU's Ben Grear halted the momentum.

Following the turnover, Northwestern's defense again contained the Chargers, with Zach Vander Griend and Ayden Klein stopping a crucial third-down rush. The Raiders regained possession and advanced with a 33-yard pass from Duncan to Schouten. Duncan continued to push into Charger territory, but the drive was hampered by a sack. However, Duncan's subsequent 20-yard rush kept the drive alive as the quarter concluded. The period ended with no change in the scoreboard, maintaining a scoreless quarter for both teams.

Northwestern began the fourth quarter deep in the Chargers' territory but faced immediate pressure with Duncan being sacked twice. After a timeout, Duncan connected with Casey and Cohen Jacobs to set up Bennett's successful 27-yard field goal, extending the lead to 15-0.

Following a strong defensive stand, the Raiders capitalized on a short field as Duncan found Schouten, who picked up plenty of yards after the catch for a 62-yard touchdown, pushing the advantage to 22-0.
The Raiders extended the lead on their next drive, as Duncan found Schouten on a hitch route for a 53-yard pitch-and-catch to take a 28-0 advantage.

Kolton Koopmans then sealed the game with an interception, allowing Northwestern to run out the clock and secure a 28-0 victory.

"We talk a lot about mental performance and how we handle adversity. It's times like this when it shows up," McCarty added. "I'm so proud of our guys for really digging in and rallying around each other and playing for one another. That's maybe the best football game we played this year under those circumstances. I'm so proud of them. I love these guys so much and just the way that they competed for each other."

GAME NOTES
  • Tanner Schouten compiled a career-high 211 receiving yards and scored three times.
  • Schouten has passed 1,000 career receiving yards, now sitting at 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns.
  • Colby Duncan passed for 307 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, also adding 51 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
  • Jackson Smythe led the team with nine tackles.
  • Jacob Dragstra added four tackles with a sack.
  • Kolton Koopmans picked off his first career pass.
  • Jovany Kabongo kicked off six times for 353 yards and two touchbacks.
Up Next: Northwestern will host No. 4 Morningside at home on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. inside De Valois Stadium. 

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