Northwestern turned in another dominant performance in defeating 24th-ranked Midland 51-14 in Fremont, Neb. The Raiders won their third straight game and improved to 2-2 in the GPAC, 4-2 overall, while Midland dropped to 2-3 in the conference, 3-3 overall.
The Raiders were outstanding in all three phases in this crucial match-up and dominated play right from the start. Offensively, they capitalized on the big play, scoring on four plays 40 yards or longer. Four different players scored a rushing touchdown and the Raiders also connected on a touchdown through the air.
Theo Bartman rushed for a career-high 111 yards and one touchdown while Davis Bloemendaal also set a career-high with 68 yards rushing and one touchdown. Jesse Selgeby added 12 carries for 39 yards and one touchdown while Jayme Rozeboom rushed four times for 38 yards and a score. Bloemendaal won his third straight start under center, completing 11-of-21 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown. Jordan Micalef caught four passes for 19 yards and Brice Byker added three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown.
For the second straight game, the Raider D did give up a first down in the first half and gave up just 208 total yards, nearly half of those during the final two drives with the game already well in hand.
Northwestern scored on its opening possession, marching 76 yards on six plays, capped by a Bartman 56-yard run to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead. On the Warriors first offensive possession, the Raider D stopped Midland on fourth-and-one when Ethan Lensch and Ben Aguilera tackled Khalid Waters for a loss to give the ball back to the NWC offense. The Raiders capitalized, going 59 yards on eight plays, ended by the first of three Mike O'Brien field goals. Bloemendaal made it 17-0 with six minutes to go in the first quarter when the quarterback scored on a career-long, 60-yard run.
Bloemendaal scored his second touchdown of the game, this time through the air, as he connected with Brice Byker for a seven-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. O'Brien converted a 23-yard field goal with three minutes left in the half and the Raider finished off the scoring on a blocked punt by Tyler Walker, recovered by Bartman in the endzone, to give Northwestern a commanding 34-0 lead at the half.
The Raider D forced two more Midland three-and-outs to start the second half and the offense took advantage, scoring on a 12-yard run by Selgeby to cap a three-play, 58-yard drive. O'Brien converted a 24-yard field goal later in the quarter to give Northwestern a 44-0 lead. Jayme Rozeboom finished the Raiders scoring with a 40-yard run with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
Northwestern totaled 18 first downs and 494 total yards, 285 rushing and 209 passing. Defensively, Gerard Fluellen totaled four tackles and recovered a fumble while Aaron Jansen registered five tackles and broke up a pass.
Northwestern hosts Concordia on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1:00 pm
