Orange City, Iowa — Northwestern College is set to host unbeaten Concordia this weekend in GPAC play. Kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 17, is set for 1pm. The Raiders, coming off their scheduled bye week, are 2-1 in the GPAC; Concordia is a perfect 4-0 this season.
Northwestern holds a 28-14 lead in the all-time series, dating back to 1960 (the first year of Raider football as a four-year institution). The Raiders have won the last three meetings and are 8-2 in the last 10 games against Concordia. Northwestern defeated the Bulldogs 20-14 last year in Seward, Neb. and has not lost to their GPAC rival at home since 2002. Six of the last 10 games in the rivalry have been decided by 10 points or less.
Concordia was picked seventh in the GPAC preseason poll while Northwestern was picked second. The Bulldogs 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, Concordia is 30th and the Raiders are eighth.
Northwestern’s Offense (1st in GPAC, 8th overall) vs Concordia Defense (1st in GPAC, 5th overall). Northwestern comes into the weekend averaging a GPAC-best 545 yards of offense and averages 43ppg; Concordia’s defense is tops in the GPAC, giving up just 11.8ppg and 253 ypg.
Northwestern passing attack vs Concordia pass rush. The Raiders sport the best passing offense in the NAIA (370ypg) and have given up 5 sacks; Concordia has been especially stingy against the pass, allowing a mere 157 yards per game; they lead the NAIA with 17 sacks
Raider rush defense vs Concordia rush offense. The Raiders defense vs the run is eight in the GPAC and will have to deal with a Bulldogs rushing attack that ranks fifth in the GPAC (165ypg), led by Jonah Weyand with 128ypg, second best in the NAIA
