Northwestern at Dordt

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The Northwestern College football team defeated Dordt College, 42-0, in front of a packed house in Sioux Center, Iowa Saturday night. It was the season opener for both teams and the first game between the two rivals in what is being called "The Battle for the Tractor" series. The Red Raiders, ranked 13th in the NAIA preseason poll, are 1-0 and will play seventh-ranked Morningside at home, this Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:00 pm.

The Red Raider defense limited the Defenders to just 56 yards of total offense for the game, recorded three sacks and also forced Dordt into three turnovers. Offensively, NWC totaled 512 yards of total offense and showed excellent balance with 270 yards rushing and 242 through the air. Coach Otten's squad averaged a remarkable 7.1 yards per play throughout the game.

Northwestern scored first on their very first offensive play of the season when Matt Roesner connected with Seth Moen down the right side for a beautiful 48-yard touchdown. The scoring drive was set up by Austin Rozeboom's interception on Dordt's opening possession. The Red Raiders grabbed a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a one-yard run by Taylor Malm that was set up by a Dordt fumble, forced by Caleb Van Otterloo and recovered by T.J. Lensch at the Defender one-yard line. On their next possession, Northwestern capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive with a Roesner nine-yard run that gave Northwestern a 21-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, Northwestern scored on their first three possessions to blow the game open. Roesner scored his second touchdown of the game on the first possession off a two-yard run that capped a six play, 68-yard drive. After the NWC defense forced a three-and-out, Coach Otten's squad scored again three plays later on a 21-yard run by Kyle Ochsner. The final touchdown was scored early in the fourth quarter by Malm, his second of the game, on a 13-yard run.

Roesner completed 10-of-20 pass attempts for 187 yards and one score. He also carried the ball seven times for 27 yards and two touchdowns. Malm led the ground game with 86 yards on 14 carries and two scores. Ochsner gained 80 yards on just five carries with one touchdown. Seth Moen and Tim Naiman each caught three passes while Moen led the way with 76 yards. Naiman totaled 39 yards while Derrick Rensink and Kevin Vander Schaff each caught two passes for 28 and 27 yards, respectively.

Nate Jansen sparked the Red Raider defense with 10 solo tackles and two sacks for a loss of 21 yards. Grant Hegstad recorded six tackles, three for a loss, and Austin Rozeboom totaled five tackles and had one interception. T.J. Lensch recovered two fumbles to go with three tackles and Caleb Van Otterloo recorded 3.5 tackles and forced one fumble.

With the win, Coach Otten now has 99 victories during his tenure at Northwestern. His team will next host Morningside on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:00 pm in a showdown of ranked teams.