The Northwestern College football team plays three of its final four games at home, beginning this weekend (Saturday, Oct. 31) with a match-up against Midland. Kickoff on Korver Field is set for 1pm. Both teams bring a four-game win streak into Saturday’s contest. Northwestern is 4-1 this season and Midland is 4-2.
Saturday’s game will be the 48th in the rivalry between Northwestern and Midland, a rivalry that began in 1961. The Raiders have played the most games against Midland than any other opponent; second most is Concordia (43). Northwestern has the upper hand in the match-up, going 35-12-1 all-time against the Warriors. The Raiders have won four of the last five, nine of their last 10, against Midland.
Midland was picked sixth in the GPAC preseason poll while Northwestern was picked second. The Warriors were not ranked at the end of the 2019 season, Northwestern finished 10th in the NAIA poll. (There has been no NAIA Coaches’ poll this fall). Based on the current Massey Ratings, Midland is 52nd and the Raiders are eighth.
Key matchups to watch are:
Northwestern’s Offense (1st in GPAC, 2nd overall) vs Midland Defense (5th in GPAC)
-Northwestern comes into the weekend averaging a GPAC-best 548 yards of offense, 2nd in the NAIA; the Warriors’ defense is fifth in virtually every stats category (total, scoring, rush and pass)
Turnovers:
Northwestern is -6 this season (4 forced, 10 given up); Midland is +3 (10 forced, 7 given up)
Northwestern rush defense vs Midland rush offense
-The Raiders run defense is sixth in the GPAC and will have to deal with a Midland ground game that ranks second in the GPAC (184ypg), led by the duo of Jamaine Derogene and Jacobi White
