Des Moines, Iowa — Northwestern visits second ranked Grand View Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA football playoffs.
Grand View defeated Dordt 38-10 in the opening round of the playoff’s last Saturday, while Northwestern beat Dickinson State 31-7. Grand View’s defense is allowing under 10 points a game, and less than 200 yards in total offense a contest, but Head Coach Joe Woodley says the Northwestern offense directed by quarterback Tyson Kooima may give them their toughest test yet.
Woodley says the Raiders offense has a lot of talent.
Woodley says at this stage of the playoffs, there is very little margin for error.
Northwestern Coach Matt McCarty says the Raiders offense has to be patient.
He says Grand View’s offense can stretch the field, but everything is set up by the running game. He says they’ll have to play good team defense.
McCarty says turnovers, and special teams will play a big role.
Northwestern is making its fourth straight and 22nd overall appearance in the football championship series, tied for the second most among this year’s field (Carroll-Montana has 23). The Raiders four consecutive appearances is tied for the longest streak in program history (1982-85). Head Coach Matt McCarty’s squad is one of 10 teams that return from the 2019 FCS field. This will be the 14th time the Raiders have played in the quarterfinals and second under coach McCarty (lost to USF in 2017). Northwestern has a 7-6 record in the quarterfinals with its last win in 2000 against St.Ambrose (21-14).
Grand View has qualified for postseason play every season since 2013, a streak of eight consecutive years, and have made it to postseason a total of nine times. They are now 10-7 all-time in the FCS, winning the title in 2013 (def. Cumberlands), and hold a 3-1 record in the quarterfinals.
