Game Time... A pair of 4-1 teams will meet up this afternoon as 10th-ranked Northwestern hosts 24th-ranked Midland Lutheran in GPAC football action. Kickoff slated for 11:30am at Korver Field.
The Series... These two teams have met 36 times dating back to 1961 when the Warriors shut out Northwestern, 32-0. The Red Raiders hold the all-time advantage 24-11-1 and hold a .667 win percentage against MLC. Northwestern has won the last six meetings (since 2002) and is 8-2 in their last 10 games against the Warriors. In 1967, these teams played to a 19-19 tie, one of seven career games that ended in a tie for the Red Raiders.
The Coaches... Casey Thiele is in his second season as head coach of the Warriors. He previously served as their offensive coordinator and is a former letter winner at MLC. Orv Otten is in his 14th season at the head of the Red Raider football program and earned his 100th career win earlier this season. He is an impressive 102-43 (.703%) during his tenure. Coach Otten has led his team to the playoffs four times, including a trip to the national semifinals in 2000 and three quarterfinal appearances.
Scouting Report... Midland Lutheran won their first four games of the season and averaged an impressive 38.5 points per game in those victories over Concordia, Grand View, Doane and Briar Cliff. The Warriors moved all the way up to 22nd in the NAIA rankings before losing at home to Dakota Wesleyan last week, 19-14. They fell to 24th in this week’s rating and are 4-1 overall. DWU stormed out to a 13-0 halftime lead but the Warriors scored a late third quarter touchdown to cut the lead down to 13-7. The visiting Tigers responded with a touchdown on their next possession to lead 19-7 only to have Midland Lutheran march down the field for another touchdown. Trailing 19-14, the Warriors were unable to capitalize on two DWU turnovers during the final six minutes and suffered their first loss of the season.
The Warriors come in averaging 32ppg and have the fifth best rushing attack in the NAIA, averaging 254 ypg. Five players have at least 30 carries for the Warriors, led by junior Brandon Brooks who has 70 carries for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Brooks is third in the GPAC averaging 69 ypg and earlier this season earned GPAC offensive player-of-the-week honors. Eric Hart has 56 carries for 244 yards and four touchdowns, ranking fifth in the GPAC in yards per game. Jinho Tohara (141yds) and Khalid Waters (128yds) will also see carries for the Warriors. Both players are very effective punt and kick returners as well as Tohara earned GPAC honorable mention all-conference honors in 2007. Under center is Terrance Maahs who has rushed 58 times for 174 yards while completing 33-of-70 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns. Tyler Pacas leads the receivers with seven receptions for 89 yards and a score while teammate Geoff Buchta has caught five passes, three of which were for touchdowns.
Defensively, the Warriors give up 21ppg, ranking eighth in the league, and 325 yards per game. They bring back a trio of linebackers from 2007, led by second team all-GPAC pick Brian Hansen. He is third on the team with 29 tackles and has forced two turnovers this season. Hansen is joined by seniors Eric Frenzen and Kyle Dinslage who lead the team with 32 and 30.5 tackles, respectively. Frenzen earned GPAC defensive player-of-the-week honors earlier this season and has two interceptions and sacks. Chris Luly, a 2007 honorable mention defensive back, anchors a secondary with four interceptions so far this season.
Red Raider Notes... Northwestern improved to 4-1 on the season with a 49-2 win over Concordia in Seward, Neb. The Red Raiders dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half, scoring 28 points and limiting the Bulldogs to only three first downs in the first half. Coach Otten’s squad continued to roll in the second half as well and won their third straight game. Taylor Malm led a potent NWC rushing attack with 76 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Cary Overholt rushed for 63 yards and a score and combined with Matt Roesner to complete 13-of-28 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown. Seth Moen led all receivers with four catches for 32 yards and caught the one scoring pass. The Raider D forced four Concordia turnovers and registered two sacks. Caleb Blauwet recorded five solo tackles and had one sack.
Northwestern is third in the league in scoring offense (26.737) and possesses excellent balance, averaging 187 yards on the ground and 165 yards through the air. Taylor Malm Ranks fifth in the GPAC with 282ypg and is second in the league with six touchdowns. Kyle Ochsner averages eight yards per carry and has reached the endzone five times for NWC. Cary Overholt has completed 47% of his pass attempts for 552 yards and five touchdowns under center for NWC. He has thrown just one interception and has added 182 yards rushing with three scores. Seth Moen is the top receiver as the senior has 18 receptions for 259 yards and four scores. Defensively, Coach Otten’s squad ranks fourth in pass defense in the NAIA, giving up just 122ypg. They give up 20ppg, seventh in the NAIA, and eighth in total defense. Nate Jansen (32), Grant Hegstad (31) and Austin Rozeboom (30) are among the league leaders in tackles.
Next up... Northwestern will play Doane next week, Oct. 18, in Crete, Neb. Kickoff at 1:00 pm.
2008 media guide
