Tyson Kooima and Jared Nelson connected on four touchdowns in leading Northwestern to 37-3 win over previously unbeaten 15th-ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) in the Red Raiders’ home opener played today on Korver Field. Northwestern improve to 2-0 heading into the conference opener next weekend while the Blue Hawks drop to 2-1 on the year.
Kooima completed 16-of-27 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns, all of which went to Nelson, who recorded the most touchdown receptions in a single game for sure since the 1999 season. The junior totaled a career-high eight catches for 157 yards and running back Jacob Kalogonis registered his fifth career 100-yard game, second for the season, with 24 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Northwestern dominated in all three phases against the highly ranked Blue Hawks, a team who qualified for NAIA postseason play the last two years. The Red Raiders held the edge in total yards (426-374), both rushing and passing, and the Raider D forced three Dickinson State turnovers.
The Raider D forced the Blue Hawks to punt on their opening possession and four plays later, Kooima hooked up with Nelson for their first touchdown, a 13-yard strike along the left sideline. The freshman quarterback set up the scoring play with a dazzling 24-yard run that put the Red Raiders in the redzone.
Dickinson State responded with its only points of the game, converting a 28-yard field goal attempt by Cody Johnson, with six minutes left in the opening quarter.
Leading 6-3 midway in the second quarter, Kooima and Nelson capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive with a 39-yard scoring strike putting the hosts in front 12-3 at the half.
Northwestern added to its lead late in the third quarter on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Kooima to Nelson, capping another long drive (nine plays, 68 yards) by the hosts. The Red Raiders converted on the two-point try with a pass from Kooim to J.C. Koerselman to make the score 20-3 at the end of the third quarter.
Following a key stop on fourth down by the Raider D, Northwestern’s offense took advantage, scoring two plays later with the final Kooima to Nelson connection, this time for 36 yards, to put NW up 27-3 with 14:05 left in the game. The Raider D came up with another big play on the Blue Hawks next drive as Jerod Hansen intercepted a Hadyen Gibson pass and brought it out to the hosts 38-yard line. Eight plays later, Braxton Williams converted a 33-yard field goal with 6:47 left to give Northwestern a 30-3 advantage.
Another Red Raider interception, this time by safety Bryce Van Beek, set up the final score as Kalogonis scored on a four-yard run that capped a short four-play, 30-yard drive.
Sean Powell was one of the many stars on the defensive side, totaling a team-high 10 stops, including nine solo tackles. Van Beek added 8.5 tackles and an interception while Tanner Machacek (4.5 tackles) and Jed Van’t Hof (2 tackles) combined for the only sack.
Blue Hawks quarterback Hayden Cooper completed 17-of-34 passes for 213 yards and two picks. Seth Ewoniuk caught seven passes for 67 yards and Karsten Mack rushed for 94 yards on 19 carries.
Northwestern will host (RV) Concordia for its GPAC Opener next weekend.
