Northwestern won their fifth straight game with an impressive 35-0 shutout victory over Midland Lutheran. The Red Raiders, ranked ninth in the NAIA, improve to 7-1 overall as they head into their bye week.
After a scoreless first quarter, Northwestern scored 14 points in the second period behind a pair of touchdown runs by junior running back Kyle Ochsner. Ochsner scored his first touchdown on a five-yard run just one minute into the second quarter and his second on a nine-yard run with five minutes left in the half.
The Red Raiders increased their lead to 21-0 after their opening drive of the second half when Ochsner scored his third touchdown of the day on a 17-yard run. With the score 21-0, Taylor Malm scored his first career collegiate touchdown on a 24-yard run with 10:32 left in the game to take a 28-0 lead. Northwestern closed out the scoring on their fifth rushing touchdown of the game when Kevin VanderSchaff reached pay-dirt after a four-yard run with under one minute left to go.
Northwestern gained 418 total yards of offense compared to just 160 for Midland Lutheran. Malm led the NWC rushing attack, which gained 156 total yards, with 11 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Ochsner totaled eight carries for 46 yards and three scores. Hector completed 16 of 28 passes for 228 yards and also rushed for 35 yards. Tyler Reichle was the top receiver with five catches for 70 yards and Tyler Meekma added four catches for 62 yards.
Defensively, Northwestern's defense recorded 5.5 sacks and one interception. Cody Van Sloten led the defense with seven tackles and 2.5 sacks. Paul Lundgren registered 6.5 tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of six yards. Jordan Halvorsen tallied the one interception, broke up one pass and had 1.5 tackles.
After a bye week, Northwestern will travel to Sioux City to play Morningside on Nov. 3.
2008 media guide
