The Northwestern football team fell to rival Morningside 42-24 on Saturday, Nov. 8. This marks the team’s only GPAC loss so far this season making their conference record 7-1.
Morningside was the first to put points on the board after a 19-yard run from Mustang running back, and former Iowa Hawkeye standout, Brandon Wegher to give the host team a 7-0 lead. After the Mustang special teams regained possession on a successful onside kick, the Raider defense shut down the Mustangs on fourth down to give their offense their first possession of the game. NW was able to capitalize with a score of their own thanks to a 64-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Paul Hutson.
“The defense did a great job of getting after the quarterback,” said student coach Marcus Van Zee. “They pressured him and got some big sacks as well as forced a couple of turnovers that were key in the first half.”
Late in the first quarter, Morningside took a 14-7 lead with a nine-yard scoring pass. Morningside scored again on a long touchdown pass in the back of the end zone between two defenders to give them a 21-7 lead.
Hutson found the end-zone once again with a 29-yard score to put the Raiders within seven.
On Morningside’s next possession, junior defensive ends Lawton De Jong and Sam Van Ginkel recorded two consecutive sacks to force the host team to punt. NW sacked Morningside’s punter before he could get the punt off, resulting in a safety. The very next play after the free kick, Hutson found pay dirt for the third time from 54 yards out to give NW a 24-21 lead as the game went into halftime.
All three of Hutson’s scores were run plays right up the middle where he was virtually untouched all the way to the endzone.
“The offense did a good job of taking advantage of Morningside’s aggressiveness,” said Van Zee. “We had three big touchdown runs, and the offense executed those play calls well.”
Morningside scored three more times in the second half, and the Raider offense was unable to answer. The game ended with a final score of 42-24.
NW will host Midland this coming Saturday for Senior Day at Korver Field with game time set for 1:00 p.m.
“This week we have the privilege to honor our seniors on Saturday, which we are all looking forward too, “ Van Zee said. “Also, if we get a win, we have a very high chance to make the playoffs for the third straight season. As a team, we are looking forward to making a deep run in the playoffs.”
