ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The Northwestern College football team (7-0, 6-0 GPAC) sets a new school record in total offense (774 yards) in the 63-7 victory over the Jimmies of the University of Jamestown (2-5, 2-4 GPAC) behind 488 yards passing and seven passing touchdowns.
The offensive eruption breaks the previous program record of 676 set back in 2016 against the Dordt Defenders, while also tying the record for passing touchdowns with seven (Midland, 2012). The 488 yards of passing sits third most in a game in program history and the 9.7 yards per play sits tied for third in school history (Midland, 2012).
Unlike the slow starts the last few games, the Raiders wasted absolutely no time this afternoon in finding the endzone as Fryar found Michael Storey (Jr., Spencer, Iowa/Spencer) for a 41-yard touchdown connection for the early 7-0 lead. With 37 seconds remaining in the quarter, Konner McQuillan (Jr., Leavenworth, Kan./Lansing) to make it 14-0.
The second quarter was more of the same – complete dominance in the air. The Raiders would find the endzone three times through the air in the second quarter, as Fryar would finish the half with four touchdown tosses to his name. The first score was a 14-yard connection with tight end Blake Anderson (Jr., Oakland, Neb./West Point-Beemer). With a 1:20 left in the half, Fryar found Cade Moser (Sr., Rock Valley, Iowa/Rock Valley Community) – thinking that would be all would be a mistake. A three-and-out by the Jimmies gave the ball back to the Raiders with 53 seconds on the clock and Fryar would drive the team 54 yards, capped off with a 19-yard pass to Moser to wrap up the half as Northwestern took a 35-0 lead into the locker room.
The second half saw the return of the much-anticipated Tyson Kooima (Sr., Hull, Iowa/Western Christian) this season and he did not disappoint. His very first play from scrimmage resulted in an electric 79-yard touchdown pass to Moser extending the Raider lead to 42-0. “It was great to get Tyson in and see him hit the ground running,” said McCarty.
As the third quarter ended, the Jimmies punched in their lone score of the day thanks to a 15-yard touchdown toss to make it 42-7 Northwestern with 1:23 left in the quarter.
The fourth quarter would return back to complete Raider dominance scoring three more touchdowns, two of which being through the air from two different signal callers. Kooima tossed his second score of the half early in the fourth, finding Cade Clayberg (R-So., Tea, S.D./Tea Area) from 38-yards out. Midway through the final quarter, redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Guggenmos (R-So., Palmer, Alaska/Palmer) connects with Kole Telford (So., Rock Rapids, Iowa/Central Lyon) for a 42-yard touchdown strike. Garrett Packer (Sr., Zearing, Iowa/Colo-NESCO) would conclude the scoring on the afternoon, punching it in from a yard out, capping off an eight play, 60-yard drive.
In his one half of play, Fryar went 19-27 for 251 yards and four touchdowns, his longest being 41 yards. Kooima attempted five passes, completing four of them, for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Guggenmos’ only pass of the afternoon was his touchdown throw (42 yards).
The rushing attack put up 200+ yards on the ground today led by sophomore Logan Meyer (So., Alvord, Iowa/West Lyon) with 86 yards.
The receiving corps had a tremendous day, led by Moser who picked up 153 reception yards and two touchdowns. Storey joins him with two scores in his four receptions and 94 yards.
The Raider defense held the entire Jimmie offense to less yards than the Raiders had on the ground (152 yards of total offense). The defense forced eight Jamestown punts, all being three-and-outs as the Jimmie offense just couldn’t get anything going against the suffocating Northwestern defense. Living in the backfield, the Raiders had six tackles for loss including three sacks in the blowout win. In typical Raider defense fashion, an interception was recorded in the contest, this week featuring Cody Moser (So., Rock Valley, Iowa/Rock Valley Community) picking up the team’s 13th pick of the season.
Up Next: Northwestern finishes their road trip next week traveling to Mitchell, S.D. to battle the Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan (3-4, 3-3 GPAC) with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
