Orange City, Iowa — Northwestern College will play its home opener this weekend when they host Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff at DeValois Stadium on Korver Field is set for 1pm. Northwestern and the Raider coaching staff will recognize the 15 seniors involved with the program prior to the game.
Both teams come into the weekend with an 0-1 record.
The Raiders hold a 16-4 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to the 2000 season when the rivalry began. Northwestern has won three straight against DWU, including a 52-7 win in a week three match-up played last season in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers lost their season opener last weekend, falling short against Hastings 45-7 in an afternoon game played in Hastings, Neb. Tied 7-7 early in the second quarter, Hastings scored 21 points during the final 10 minutes for a 28-7 halftime lead. DWU was outscored 17-0 in the second half; the Tigers were outgained 431-251 in total yards.
Cimpl is in his ninth season as the head of the DWU football program and ranks second all-time in wins (49) for the Tigers. His 2015 and 2016 teams were ranked in the top 20 in the final NAIA coaches poll, just missing out on the postseason both years.Cimpl led DWU to a 2-7 league mark in 2019, tying Jamestown for eighth place in the GPAC, 3-8 overall. 10 starters, mostly on offense return from last year’s squad.
Last week for the Red Raiders, Tyson Kooima, the reigning GPAC Offensive Player of the Year, threw for a career-best 447 yards, completing 21-of-34 pass attempts, and one touchdown. Kooima also led the Raiders in rushing with 20 carries for 114 yards another score, showcasing his dual-threat skills, and setting a school record for single game total offense. Both Cade Moser and Shane Solberg surpassed 100 yards receiving and Josh Fakkema caught two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Morningside.
