Football Preview, Northwestern College Red Raiders

2010 Season Preview:

team Tradition, excellence, family…the Raider Way…just a few of the attributes that make the Northwestern College football team an annual contender for postseason play and a fixture among the top teams within the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). In 2009, under the direction of first-year head coach Kyle Achterhoff, in his 13^th season overall as a coach within the program, the Raiders continued their strong tradition as they finished fourth in the conference with a 7-3 record and ended the year ranked 25^th in the NAIA. It marked the 19^th consecutive season that Northwestern finished with a winning record and the seventh straight year the Raiders ended the year ranked in the top 25.

“We had a good season in 2009, especially when you consider the injuries we had to overcome, some coming very late in the preseason,” commented Achterhoff. “Heading into the final week of the regular season, a win would have put us in the playoffs. We just came up a little short in the end but overall we as a coaching staff were satisfied with the Kyle year and the continued development of our players.”

With 17 starters returning, many of whom have started multiple years for the Raiders, optimism heading into the 2010 season remains very high. “This will be the players’ second full year within our system and with that, there is definitely more of a comfort level with our system,” said Achterhoff. Joining the returning starters and a total of 41 letterwinners are over 50 newcomers, the largest recruiting class in the history of the program. With over 100 players coming into camp, beginning Aug. 16, this will be one of the deepest teams the Raiders have put on the field in years. “We have several guys, on both sides of the ball, who started for us two years ago but missed all of last year due to injury. Those players will now battle for spots with last year’s starters, which makes for great competition in practice and great depth,” commented Achterhoff.

Offensively, Northwestern returns its entire backfield from last season, along with seven players who saw significant time on an offensive line that gave up just seven sacks in 2009, the third lowest total in the NAIA. Senior running back Taylor Malm (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) returns as the top ball carrier for a Raider ground attack Malm that ranked third in the GPAC, averaging over 210 yards per game. A second team all-GPAC pick last year, Malm led the Raiders with 1,617 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns, including 851 yards on the ground to go with 14 rushing scores. He also caught a team-high 29 passes out of the backfield and ranked eighth in the GPAC in kick returns, averaging 22.9 yards per attempt. “Taylor does so many things for us on offense,” said Achterhoff. “He is a very explosive back who is a threat to score any time he touches the ball.” Kevin Vander Schaaf, a senior from Edgerton, Minn., also returns after an injury-plagued 2009 season. Vander Schaaf, the team’s best blocker but also a threat between the tackles, gained 427 yards, averaged 4.3 yards per carry and reached the end zone four times. Brandon Smith (Mankato, Minn.) had an outstanding freshman year for the Raiders, averaging a team-best 6.5 yards per carry and gaining over 500 yards rushing to go with five touchdowns. “Brandon is another explosive athlete who can do a number of different things for us out of the backfield,” commented Achterhoff. The Raiders brought in a number of talented freshmen who could also challenge for time in the backfield or as a return specialist. A.J. Fernandez (Redlands, Calif.), Theo Bartman (Rock Valley, Iowa) and Jessie Selgeby (Rock Rapids, Iowa) are all explosive athletes who are coming off outstanding high school careers.

A key for the Raiders could lie in the hands of quarterback Jayme Rozeboom, a redshirt sophomore from Rock Rapids, Iowa. Rozeboom saw limited action as a freshman in 2008 and then was appointed the starter in the spring of 2009, taking every snap with the first team all spring and preseason. An injury just five days prior to the opening game of the 2009 season, however, ended the year for Rozeboom. He comes into the preseason completely healthy and with another full spring and summer season of work with the first team. “Jayme is an outstanding leader, both on and off the field,” commented Achterhoff. “He is athletic and has very good football knowledge. We are very confident in Jayme’s ability to play quarterback.”

With the loss of three of the top six receivers from last year, including two-time all-conference player Reed Van Hulzen (Edgerton, Minn.), competition could be fierce in the preseason for the starting spots at receiver. The early favorite is sophomore Tyler Walker (Arlington, Texas), who had a successful freshman year with 15 catches for 152 yards. “Tyler has a full year of collegiate experience and we look for him to take the next step this year,” said Achterhoff. Another top target will be tight end Derrick Rensink, a junior from Sioux Center, Iowa. Rensink is a huge target and threat across the middle who caught 22 passes for 214 yards and two scores. “We see Derrick as one of the top tight ends and we are really counting on him to become a playmaker for us.” Tim Vermeer (Sioux Center, Iowa) has spent the last two years on the junior varsity but has worked hard in the offseason and is another option as a receiver.

One of the deepest and most talented positions for the Raiders is along the offensive line. Four starters return up front and are joined by a trio of players who saw significant field time, including a couple of starts. Senior John Adam (Sioux City, Iowa) and junior Travis Hofmeyer (Orange City, Iowa) earned second team all-conference honors last year as OLine they helped pave the way for a rushing attack that averaged over 210 yards per game. Daniel Solis (Fort Worth, Texas), a four-year starter and two-time all-GPAC pick, and Nathan Nieuwendorp (Orange City, Iowa) also return as starters up front. Logan Ogden, a second-team all-GPAC pick in 2008, comes back after missing all of the 2009 season with an injury, and Evan Hoffmeier (Charter Oak, Iowa), Tyler Klyn (Oskaloosa, Iowa) and Wil Van’t Hof (Alvord, Iowa) also saw significant playing time in 2009.

Defensively, the Red Raiders bring back nine starters from a 2009 squad that ranked fifth in the GPAC, allowing just over 20 points per game. The defensive line is an experienced group with seniors Jordan Te Grootenhuis (Larchwood, Iowa) and Brad Hughes (Knob Noster, Mo.) along with junior Paul Lundgren (Orange City, Iowa). Te Grootenhuis led all NWC linemen with 19 tackles and two sacks last season. Ethan Lensch (Glidden, Iowa), Nate Fischer (LeMars, Iowa), Taylor Morris (Ringsted, Iowa) and Stanley Fleming (Eureka, Calif.) are four sophomores who have played significant minutes and will be looked to contribute more this year. “We have good depth along our defensive line and this could be one of the most competitive battles in the preseason.”

Austin The linebacking corps will be led by Austin Rozeboom (Sioux Center, Iowa), who earned honorable mention all-GPAC honors in 2009. Rozeboom led the Raiders with 53.5 tackles and totaled 2.5 sacks and one interception. “Austin has a real nose for the ball and is a force for us in the middle of the field,” commented Achterhoff. The defense will benefit from the return of T.J. Lensch (Glidden, Iowa), who missed all of the 2009 season due to injury but earned all-GPAC honors after the 2008 season. “T.J. is very athletic and is in great shape. He will be a real nice addition to our defense.” Caleb Blauwet (Larchwood, Iowa), a three-year starter, totaled 19 tackles and one interception in an injury-riddled 2009 season. Aaron Jansen (Orange City, Iowa), Ben Aguilera (Highland, Calif.) and Grantley Samuels (Pahokee, Fla.) also return and have experience at the position. Newcomer Paul Sutko (Omaha, Neb.), a transfer from Dana College and starter for the Vikings in 2009, will compete for a spot and will add more depth to a very solid group. “Our linebackers will once again be very solid and we expect them to make a lot of plays for us,” commented Achterhoff.

Two-time first team all-GPAC cornerback Caleb Van Otterloo (Le Mars, Iowa) leads a very talented Raider secondary. The senior ranked third on the team with 43 tackles and tied for fifth in the GPAC with five interceptions. “Caleb is one of the premier cornerbacks in the league,” commented Achterhoff. “He is super athletic, a great cover corner who can also support against the run.” Three-year starter Jon Gerber (Lester, Iowa) returns for his final season after earning honorable mention all-GPAC honors at safety in 2009. Gerber totaled 37.5 tackles and broke up three passes last year. Steven Van Wyhe (Rock Rapids, Iowa) and David Butler (Stillwater, Minn.) both are coming off outstanding seasons as members of the secondary and valuable playmakers on special teams. Van Wyhe ranked fourth on the team with 42.5 tackles while Butler totaled 21.5 tackles. Brad Payne (Alta, Iowa), Chris Butler (Adelanto, Calif.) and Jerel Kyles (Mentone, Calif.) will compete for the other starting cornerback position and will add depth in the defensive backfield.

On special teams, Ben Rasefske (Plymouth, Minn.), last year’s starter, will compete with 2008 starter Mike O’Brien (McHenry, Ill.) and newcomer James Rodriguez (Riverside, Calif.) at the kicker position. Rasefske converted 33-of-34 extra points while making 2-5 field goal attempts last year. O’Brien made 32-of-39 extra points and 2-5 field goals during the 2008 season. The Raiders will have to replace all-GPAC punter Nathan Kuik (West Fargo, N.D.) with Payne or newcomer Jordan Whitsell (Sheldon, Iowa).

As always, the Raiders, playing in the best conference in the NAIA, will face a very challenging schedule. They open at home with defending champion Sioux Falls (Sept. 4), followed by the longest road trip of the year at Hastings, a 2009 playoff team. The Raiders will host Nebraska Wesleyan, 2009 playoff team Morningside, Concordia and Dakota Wesleyan along with road dates against Briar Cliff, Dordt, Doane and will conclude the regular season against Midland Lutheran in Fremont, Neb. Despite the rigors of the conference slate, coach Achterhoff and his players maintain high expectations heading into the season. “We have a lot of players who have started for us the last three years who have set high goals. They are very motivated to come out and achieve their goals, goals of reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2006 season. Our depth is as good as it’s ever been and the competition for spots should be at an all-time high in the preseason. It should make for a great camp.”