Game Time... Today’s matchup features a pair of 2-1 teams as the 11th-ranked Red Raiders host the Concordia Bulldogs. Last week, both teams suffered their first loss of the season as NWC lost to top-ranked USF, 44-20, while Concordia fell at home to Midland Lutheran, 27-10.
The Series... This will be the 30th meeting between the two schools, with Northwestern holding a 17-12 series advantage which includes the last five games.
Last Time Out... Last week, Concordia was limited to just eight first downs and 201 total yards in its 27-10 loss to Midland Lutheran. The Bulldogs briefly held the lead, 7-6, in the second quarter after a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Schmidt to Daniel Uden. Midland, however, scored 14 unanswered points over the next two quarters to seize control of the game. Senior running back JaMaine Lewis was the top offensive player for the Bulldogs with 18 carries for 96 yards. Schmidt, the Concordia quarterback, completed just 5-20 passes for 82 yards and one score. Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by freshman linebacker Jeremy Walrath who recorded 11.5 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble while also breaking up one pass.
Last week, NWC lost its first game of the season, 44-20, to top-ranked Sioux Falls. Northwestern trailed 24-0 at halftime but scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to cut the lead down to 10. Both teams exchanged scoring drives at the beginning of the fourth quarter to put the score at 30-20 before USF scored the final 14 points in the closing minutes to seal the win. Craig Hector led the Red Raiders with over 200 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. He completed 16-33 passes and connected with receivers Seth Moen and Reed Van Hulzen for touchdowns in the second half. Hector also rushed for a score in the third quarter. Defensively, Kadrian Hardersen recorded eight tackles while Scott Stahl and T.J. Lensch each added 6.5.
Scouting Report... Concordia ranks third in the league in scoring (28ppg) and has the fifth-best scoring defense (17.3ppg). Offensively, the Bulldogs are averaging just under 160 rushing yards per game, led by seniors JaMaine Lewis and Jeff Neujahr. Lewis leads the GPAC, averaging 133 yards per game and gaining 7.5 yards per carry. The versatile Neujahr leads the team in receptions (8), receiving yards (85), and kick and punt returns, and is second in rushing with 76 yards. Tariq Smith, a freshman wide receiver, has caught two passes, both for touchdowns, for 71 yards. Kyle Schmidt has received the majority of snaps under center for the Bulldogs and has completed 39% of his attempts for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He is protected by a veteran offensive line that returns four starters from the 2006 season.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are best in the league against the run, giving up just 42 yards per game and 1.2 yards per carry. They are led by linebackers Trent Laune and freshman Jeremy Walrath. Laune, a senior, has 15 tackles and two fumble recoveries, and has blocked one kick. Walrath leads the team with 22 tackles and is tied for the team lead with four sacks. Matt Baller and Brock Simonsen return on the D-line for Concordia. Baller has four sacks and 9.5 total tackles. Senior Brett Mertens, who played quarterback last season, and Jim Landers help patrol the secondary.
Red Raider Notes... Northwestern ranks sixth in scoring offense (25.7 ppg) and is eighth in scoring defense (28.7 ppg). The Raiders are averaging 235 yards through the air, led by senior quarterback Craig Hector. So far this season, Hector has completed 59% of his passes (54/92) for 704 yards and eight touchdowns to 11 different receivers. He earned both GPAC and NAIA honors after the Red Raiders’ week-two win over Dakota Wesleyan. Hector’s top targets, Tyler Reichle and Seth Moen, have combined for 29 catches, 412 yards and five touchdowns. Kyle Ochsner (20/65) and Taylor Malm (34/96) have split the carries in the Red Raider backfield.
Defensively, seven players have 10 or more tackles, led by Kadrian Hardersen and Nathan Jansen. Hardersen boasts a team-high 27 tackles and two interceptions while Jansen has 21 tackles, 1.5 for a loss. Scott Stahl and Cody Van Sloten have three and 2.5 sacks, respectively.
The Coaches... Longtime Head Coach Courtney Meyer is in his 17th season with the Bulldogs and has a 65-100-1 overall mark. Head Coach Orv Otten is in this 13th season with the Red Raiders and is 92-41 coming into today’s contest.
2008 media guide
