Northwestern at Morningside

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23rd-ranked Northwestern suffered its first loss of the season as they fell to fifth-ranked Morningside 20-7 in Sioux City, Iowa. The Raiders drop to 1-1 on the season while Morningside improves to 2-0.

Northwestern totaled more first downs (19-12) and held a 194-61 yards passing advantage over the Mustangs but the Raiders fell victim to the big play. The Mustangs scored off a 51-yard pass play from Tim Richard to Beau Kildow in the first quarter, one of just three passes completed by Morningside in the game, and also scored off a 30-yard run by

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Jake Peterson in the third quarter.

The host Mustangs scored first when, after an NWC punt, kicker C.J. Gradoville converted a 25-yard field goal to cap off a nine play, 72-yard drive. After a Red Raider punt, Morningside grabbed a 10-0 lead when Tim Richard completed a 51-yard pass to Beau Kildow for the first touchdown of the game.

Northwestern's defense took over late in the first quarter, forcing Morningside to punt on three straight possessions. The Red Raider offense then capitalized on a pair of big passings plays, a 38-yard completion to Jameson Rexilius on third-and-23 followed by a 39-yard touchdown strike to Reed Van Hulzen. The extra-point attempt was good by Ben Rasefske to make it a 10-7 game going into halftime.

The Raider D forced Morningside to punt to start the third quarter but on the punt by the Mustangs, Northwestern was flagged for roughing the kicker, which gave the Mustangs a new set of downs. Four plays later, Morningside scored on a 30-yard run by Peterson to take a 17-7 lead. Both defenses took over for the rest of the third quarter and held the offenses scoreless.

Following a great punt by Raider Nathan Kuik downed at the one-yard line, Morningside's big play ability struck again as Peterson went 81 yards, all the way down to the Northwestern 18-yard line. Three plays later, Gradoville converted a 39-yard field goal to give Morningside a 20-7 lead. Northwestern threatened on its next offensive possession but were forced to punt after three first downs and Morningside earned the win.

Northwestern totaled 19 first downs and 327 total yards of offense compared to 12 first downs and 350 total yards for Morningside. Junior quarterback Ryan Morgan accounted for 274 yards of total offense, including a team-high 80 yards rushing on 14 carries. He also completed 17-of-33 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown. Reed Van Hulzen caught a game-high eight passes for 97 yards and a score.

Defensively, Grant Hegstad accounted for 5.5 tackles and Paul Lundgren added five tackles. Caleb Van Otterloo added 2.5 tackles, forced one fumble and registered an interception.

Northwestern will host Nebraska Wesleyan next Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1:00 pm.