After several dominant years the Northwestern football team had more of a struggle in 2025, finishing with a 6-4 record. The conclusion came in Seward, Nebraska, against Concordia University on Saturday, November 15. After leading 17-7 at halftime, the Raiders would come up short, ultimately being defeated 21-17.
“Our game Saturday was really a tale of two halves,” Head Coach Matt McCarty said. “First half we played really well on both sides of the ball. We did not adjust well enough to [Concordia’s] changes, and they made enough plays to get the win.”
Although it was not the outcome they hoped for, it is all part of the bigger journey – a journey that threw many obstacles their way this season.
“I don’t think anyone would have said the season would go this way back in August,” McCarty said. “We played a majority of the season without our top returning wide receiver in Austyn Gerard. We lost a couple hard fought, close games by 1 point each and found ourselves at 2-3. Then we had the bus accident that kept a dozen players and several starters out for two weeks. These are things people see because they show up on the field, but we also had several players dealing with some heavy and tough things within their families off the field. Our team rallied together and embraced the challenges.”
Senior linebacker Ben Egli said these challenges made the group stronger.
“Some of the stuff we went through really brought us close and allowed us to play some high-level football,” Egli said.
After the final whistle blew on Saturday, Egli reflected on his four seasons as a Raider.
“Thinking back on where I was as a freshman to now makes me beyond grateful for the coaches and the teammates that have influenced me. There are countless highlights and memorable moments. The obvious ones are the national championship games, the many ranked wins we stacked through the years, and so much more on Saturdays. But the best highlights and memorable moments come from all the practices, bus rides, and time with the best teammates and coaches in the world. I have a lot of love for them all.”
Trystin Voss’ collegiate career also concluded after Saturday’s game.
“My time on the Raider football team was a dream come true,” Voss, defensive lineman, said. “Growing up 8 hours away, the team, coaches, and community made Orange City immediately feel like home.”
With the 2025 campaign in the rearview mirror, the future is a clean slate, and it looks bright for the Raiders.
“I think we had a couple big wins [in 2025] that showed us what we are capable of, and next year will be very exciting,” Colby Duncan, sophomore quarterback, said.
