2009 Season Preview

The Northwestern College football program has been one of the NAIA’s elite for nearly four decades. Since 1968, the Red Raiders have had just two losing seasons and have earned playoff berths 15 times, winning the national championship on two occasions (1973 and 1983). In fact, since 2000, Northwestern is the ninth winningest program in the NAIA, with three postseason appearances during that span.

One of the keys to the Raiders’ success is the fact that the program had just two head coaches over the years: NAIA Hall-of-Famer Larry “Bub” Korver and Orv Otten, who played for Korver and won over 100 games during his 15 years as head coach. Another former player, Kyle Achterhoff, takes over the reins this season after spending the last 11 seasons as defensive and offensive coordinator. Over the years, Achterhoff has guided one of the nation’s most efficient offenses and 13 players have earned All-American honors during his time at NWC. He takes over a Red Raider team that finished tied for third in the GPAC and 18^th in the NAIA with a 7-3 record. It was the 18^th consecutive season that Northwestern finished with a winning record and the sixth straight year the Raiders finished ranked in the top 20.

Achterhoff welcomes Joel Penner, who will take over play-calling duties on offense. Penner held the same position for the last four years at Greenville College (Ill.), an NCAA D-III school. Another newcomer to the coaching staff is Perry Krosschell, who spent the last five seasons as head coach at Unity Christian High School where he earned Siouxland Coach of the Year honors. A former NWC player and past assistant, Krosschell will be charge of special teams. Matt McCarty, in his fifth year, will head the defense once again for NWC.

A total of 23 letterwinners and 15 starters return and will join the largest and perhaps most talented recruiting class in the program’s history. “The incoming recruiting class will definitely improve our depth and will create competition at several positions,” says Achterhoff.

The Raiders return six starters from an offense that finished third in the GPAC, scoring nearly 29 points per game. One position that will have a newcomer take command will be quarterback, as sophomore Jayme Rozeboom (Rock Rapids, Iowa) will be under center. Appearing in six games as a true freshman last year, mostly in mop-up duty, Rozeboom is a tremendously gifted athlete who has a good understanding of the offense and the position. “Jayme is an explosive player who has the potential to make the big play both with his arm and feet,” says Achterhoff. “Since this is his first year as a starter, he doesn’t have a lot of game experience. However, Jayme took all the snaps last spring and has been working closely with Coach Penner to get ready for his opportunity.” Junior college transfer Ryan Morgan (Tucson, Ariz.), who played two years for Pimo Community College, will serve as the backup after running a similar style offense the last two years.

Rozeboom will benefit from a potent rushing attack that ranked fourth in the conference, averaging 162 yards per game. NWC returns two of the top three rushers from 2008 in juniors Taylor Malm (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Kevin Vander Schaaf (Edgerton, Malm Minn.). Malm led the Raiders with 842 all-purpose yards and reached the end zone a team-best nine times (seven rush, two returns). A versatile player and touchdown threat when the ball is in his hands, Malm earned second team all-GPAC honors as a return specialist last year. “Taylor has worked hard in the weight room this past offseason and is in tremendous shape,” comments Achterhoff. Malm gained 383 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry despite missing two games due to injury. Vander Schaaf rushed 55 times for 286 yards and one score as the team’s fullback in 2008. With his size (5-10, 200 lbs.) and physical running style, he will get the tough yards between the tackles. Sophomore Parker Moore (Lincoln, Neb.) and junior college transfer Tyler Moore (Wildomar, Calif.) give the Raiders quality depth and strong options in the backfield.

The receiving corps must replace its top two pass catchers from 2008 in graduated seniors Seth Moen and Tyler Meekma, who both received all-conference honors. Seniors Reed Van Hulzen (Edgerton, Minn.) and Kyle De Boer (Lynden, Wash.) and sophomore Jameson Rexilius (Lincoln, Neb.) will look to fill the void. Van Hulzen is a big (6-4, 200 lbs.), physical target who has all the tools to be the go-to receiver when healthy. As a sophomore, Van Hulzen totaled over 300 yards and scored four touchdowns before an injury-riddled junior season that forced him to miss six games. Formerly a defensive back and special teams ace, De Boer made a successful switch to offense last season and caught 11 passes for 144 yards and a score while earning honorable mention all-GPAC honors. Rexilius saw action in four games as a freshman and dominated play on the junior varsity. The Raiders also have several newcomers who could contribute. Derrick Rensink (Sioux Center, Iowa) and Daniel Burns (Grimes, Iowa) return at the tight end position and provide Achterhoff with huge targets in the middle of the field.

Logan One of the strongest positions will be up front on the offensive line as the Raiders return four starters and welcome a very strong recruiting class. Juniors John Adam (Sioux City, Iowa), Logan Ogden (What Cheer, Iowa) and Dan Solis (Fort Worth, Texas) are all two-year starters and bring valuable experience. Ogden earned second-team all-GPAC honors in 2008 and possesses tremendous versatility. “Logan can play all five positions for us and will be one of our captains this season.” Adam was named honorable mention all-GPAC as the left tackle while Solis and manned the guard position. Senior George Barnes (Mesa, Ariz.) has been a spot starter and valuable reserve at guard in each of the past two seasons. Travis Hofmeyer (Orange City, Iowa) served as a part-time starter at center and also returns for NWC. The Raiders added a number of talented newcomers along the o-line as eight all-staters and a couple of transfers join the veteran group.

The Raiders were once again dominant on the defensive side in 2008, ranking second in scoring (11.2), rushing, passing and total defense (207.5 yards per game). For the second time in three years, Northwestern fielded the GPAC defensive player of the year as linebacker Nate Jansen earned the honor last season after posting 61 tackles, seven sacks and three interceptions. Both Jansen and Cody Van Sloten received All-American honors in 2008 and will be sorely missed. However, the Raider D returns seven starters and several others who look to fill the void. Up front, juniors Brad Hughes (Knob Noster, Mo.) and Jordan Te Grootenhuis (Larchwood, Iowa) and sophomore Paul Lundgren (Orange City, Iowa) return at defensive tackle. A two-year starter, Te Grootenhuis ranked second among linemen with 20 tackles, including five for a loss. Hughes, who also wrestles for NWC, earned honorable mention all-GPAC honors in 2008 after posting four tackles for a loss and one sack. Lundgren returns after missing all of the 2008 season with an injury but started 10 games as a freshman and posted 33.5 tackles and 5.5 sacks. “All three of these guys have good size and can shut down the run well,” says Achterhoff. The Raiders will look to their newcomers at defensive end, led b y Nate Fischer (Le Mars, Iowa), one of the fastest players on the team and a Shrine Bowl participant.

A cornerstone of the great Raider defenses in the past has been at linebacker and this year will be no different. Northwestern returns six players who either started or saw significant time in 2008. Headlining the list is senior captain and two-year starter Hegstad Grant Hegstad (Sanborn, Iowa). Hegstad set a career high with a team-best 67 tackles, including 12 for a loss for 38 yards, and earned second team all-GPAC honors. T.J. Lensch, a senior from Glidden, Iowa, and Austin Rozeboom, a junior from Sioux Center, Iowa, join Hegstad at the position. Both players earned honorable mention all-league honors in 2008 and ranked in the top five on the team in tackles. Caleb Blauwet (Larchwood, Iowa), a two-year starter at safety, also earned honorable mention all-GPAC honors in 2008 after posting 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. David Butler (Stillwater, Minn.) and Steven Van Wyhe (Rock Rapids, Iowa) return after seeing significant time on the field last year. Another player, Grantley Samuels (Pahokee, Fla.), returns after a two-year absence. Samuels was a starter on the 2006 team that made it to the national quarterfinals. “This group is very athletic, very talented and will make a ton of plays for us,” comments Achterhoff. Taylor Morris (Ringsted, Iowa) and Aaron Jansen (Orange City, Iowa) are a pair of freshmen who could also contribute.

Returning in the secondary is first team all-GPAC cornerback Caleb Van Otterloo (Le Mars, Iowa). A two-year starter and brother to former NWC stars Micah and Jordan, Van Otterloo totaled 36 tackles, two interceptions and broke up six passes as a sophomore. “Caleb is one of the top corners in the league and our opponents do not throw it his way very often.” Brad Payne (Alta, Iowa) will start on the opposite side after missing the 2008 season due to a foot injury. The multisport star and two-year starter is one of the best athletes on the team and will see significant action. Jon Gerber (Lester, Iowa) will start for the second straight year at safety. Gerber totaled 51 tackles and broke up six passes while earning honorable mention all-GPAC accolades. “Jon is very solid against the run and gives us valuable experience in the back.” Incoming freshmen Zach Van Engen (Rock Valley, Iowa) and Brady Wells (Council Bluffs, Iowa) will compete for time and add depth in the secondary.

Coach Achterhoff returns both special teams’ players from 2008 in punter Nathan Kuik (West Fargo, N.D.) and kicker Mike O’Brien (McHenry, Ill.). Kuik was named honorable mention all-GPAC as a freshman after a 39.5 average and placing 17 punts inside the 20-yard line. O’Brien averaged 53 yards per kickoff attempt and converted 32-of-39 extra points. Malm and Parker Moore as well as other newcomers will serve as the primary return men. Malm averaged 11.2 yards per punt return with one score and over 33 yards with one touchdown on kick returns in 2008.

Northwestern plays in arguably the toughest conference in the NAIA with games against annual title contenders USF and Morningside. Dakota Wesleyan, Nebraska Wesleyan, Midland Lutheran and Hastings have also appeared in the national rankings so this year’s schedule will prove to be difficult. Despite the challenges, Coach Achterhoff and his staff are anxious to get started this fall. “Our players have a renewed focus and have worked extremely hard this summer and offseason. We are excited about our returning players and are anxious to see the newcomers compete as well.” The Raiders will move in the weekend of Aug. 14 and will begin practice on Monday, Aug. 17. They open the 2009 season at home against Dordt College on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.