Mitchell, SD — No.10 Northwestern picked up its second consecutive road win with a dominating 52-7 victory over Dakota Wesleyan in a GPAC match-up played tonight at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell, S.D.
The Red Raiders improve to 2-0 in the GPAC, 3-0 overall; DWU slips to 0-2 in conference play, 1-3 overall.
Northwestern accounted for nearly 550 yards of total offense, 211 rushing and 338 through the air, and were efficient on third down, converting 71% (11/14). Defensively, the Red Raiders forced the only turnover of the game, registered one quarterback sack and held DWU to 300 yards of total offense. The Raider D also came up with a big goal line stop after DWU blocked a punt an had 1st and goal from inside the 10-yard line in the third quarter.
Tyson Kooima passed for over 300 yards for the second consecutive game, completing 18-of-27 attempts for 314 yards and three touchdowns. The junior quarterback added a fourth touchdown with a career-long 71-yard run in the third quarter. This was the seventh 300-yard passing game of his career and 17th game with multiple touchdown passes. Kooima moved into fourth place all-time in career passing yards (6,688), passing Craig Hector (2004-07), and seventh in career touchdowns (53), passing Adam Tyrell (1992-95).
Shane Solberg was on the receiving end of all three touchdown passes, totaling eight catches for 169 yards, and moving up to second all-time in career receiving yards (2,288). Solberg, with his second 100-yard receiving game this season and ninth for his career, passed both Tyler Reichle (2004-07) and Elson Schut (1977-79) in career receiving yards. The junior has caught at least two passes in 19 straight games and is now tied with Reicle for fifth place in career receiving touchdowns (23).
Jacob Kalogonis led the ground game, rushing 25 times for 137 yards, both season highs, and two touchdowns. Kalogonis has scored a rushing touchdown in all three games this season, in 26 games for his career, and passed Steven King (1968-71) for fourth place all-time with 42 career rushing touchdowns. Kalogonis has rushed for 100+ games in 21 games.
Northwestern scored on all five of its first-half possessions, four touchdowns and a field goal, as they stormed out to a 31-7 lead. Following a nifty 65-yard kickoff return by Dylan Snyders to start the game, the Red Raiders scored their first touchdown just four plays later on a one-yard plunge by Kalogonis. Dakota Wesleyan responded with a quick touchdown drive of its own as Kiel Nelson completed a 79-yard strike to TreVyon McDaniel on their third play from scrimmage to tie the game at seven.
Braxton Williams put the Red Raiders up for good with a 31-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 54-yard drive. The Raider D forced a DWU 3-and-out and Northwestern’s quick strike offense came through again with a four-play, 60-yard drive finished off with an 11-yard run by Kalogonis and a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Brett Moser picked off a DWU pass and ran it back to near midfield, giving the Red Raider offense great field position early in the second. Three plays later, Kooima completed a 48-yard strike to Solberg for a 24-7 advantage. The duo hooked up for a score again on the next series, right before the half, with a 17-yard touchdown.
Head Coach Matt McCarty’s squad scored on its final possession of the third quarter when Kooima broke free with a career-long 71-yard run, giving NW a 38-7 lead. Northwestern reached the endzone on its final two possessions, the first on a Kooima to Solberg 15-yard touchown pass with six minutes left. Blake Fryar concluded the scoring with his first career touchdown, a six-yard run with 2:17 left.
Cade Moser totaled a career-high seven catches for 103 yards, recording his second straight 100-yard game. Kalogonis caught two passes for 39 yards and Blake Anderson had two catches for 14 yards.
Tanner Machacek led all players with 11 tackles (3 solo, 8 assisted) and Carter Van Gorp totaled a career-high nine stops and registered the game’s only quarterback sack.
DWU was led by Nelson, who completed 9-of-21 passes for 206 yards and a score. McDaniel rushed 15 times for 46 yards and caught two passes for 90 yards and a score.
