The Northwestern College football will try to keep its playoff hopes alive on Saturday and the Red Raiders host top ranked and unbeaten Morningside. After starting the season 2-2 Northwestern has won four straight games. “You don’t get to play number one team in the country very often…so this is a great opportunity for our guys, we are really looking forward to stepping on that field,” Northwestern coach Kyle Achterhoff. He says a win would likely get them into the playoffs and they are approaching this game like a playoff game.
The Red Raider defense needs to slow down a Morningside offense that averages more thjan 54 points and nearly 600 yards per game. He says the keys are not giving up big plays and stopping the running game. Achterhoff says the Northwestern offense will need to do its part by consistently moving the ball, picking up first downs and shortening the game by winning the time of possession.
Morningside coach Steve Ryan expects a hard fought game. He says this game is always a great game and Northwestern always plays with great enthusiasm.
Ryan says the Morningside defense will need to come up with some big plays, especially in the red zone, as he says it’s a challenge to keep them out of the end zone.
Ryan says the Mustangs need to limit mistakes and turnovers as he says there’s always fast guys on defense and they tend to create the turnovers.
By Doug Broek, KSOU Sioux, Center