2021 Morningside University Football Championship Guide

MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

p i h s n o i p A Cham e g a t i r e H Dancing to Durham 11-TIME DEFENDING GREAT PLAINS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS TWO-TIME NAIA CHAMPIONS (2018, 2019) 18 STRAIGHT NAIA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES APPEARANCES 185-29 RECORD FROM 2004-21

2021 Morningside University Football 2021 NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SATURDAY, DEC. 18 – DURHAM CO. MEMORIAL STADIUM – DURHAM, N.C. 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Austin Johnson Caleb Schweigart Jamal Jones Lonell Boyd, Jr. Bryson Freeberg Michael Payne Tyler Wingert Zach Norton Cajon Greene Joe Dolincheck Joshua Miller Braden Drehle Ben Steffens Weston Schultz Kaden Ladwig Jon Andreasen Chase Carter Jalen Portis Caden Ochsendorf Logan Macumber Ben Chelsvig Anthony Sims Cooper Von Seggern Drew Bessey Michael Minor Jake Taute Matt Strecker Jack Sievert Brody Nelson

WR WR DB DB RB WR LB WR DB QB DB QB K DL QB DB K LB DB DB DB RB LB DB RB TE RB TE LB

Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. So. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Fr.

6-1 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2 5-11

200 170 175 195 170 210 220 175 175 200 210 220 170 240 185 200 170 225 185 190 185 210 215 200 215 230 225 230 210

Sioux Falls, S.D. Omaha, Neb. Adelanto, Calif.

St. Louis, Mo. Neola, Iowa Omaha, Neb. Holstein, Iowa Sioux Falls, S.D. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Bellevue, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Waynesville, Mo. Spirit Lake, Iowa Mason City, Iowa Ida Grove, Iowa Lincoln, Neb. Knoxville, Iowa St. Louis, Mo. Amboy, Minn.

Elkhorn, Neb. Story City, Iowa Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Wisner, Neb. Palmyra, Neb. Omaha, Neb. Cedar Park, Tex. Columbus, Neb. St. Ansgar, Iowa Beatrice, Neb.

35 37 39 41 43 45 46 50 52 55 56 57 58 60 64 66 67 70 74 81 86 88 90 92 95 96 97 98 99

Sione Tuifua Isaac Bower Isaac Pingel Carter Anderson Colton Dreith Jack West Colton Irlbeck Jacob Murphy Hayden Thilges Tyler Anderson Colby Roos Haden Mendel Christian Riha Hunter Behrens Riley Lindberg Mason Williams Jason Hahlbeck Dylan Miller Tristin Johnston Reid Jurgensmeier Aiden Queen Laken Harnly Gage Haake Brady Schlaeger Carson Wadle Zack Keller Dominick Barrett Jonah Kollbaum Zach McKee

TE LB LB DL LB DB P LS OL OL OL LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr.

6-3 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-4 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-1

240 205 220 255 230 195 180 200 250 275 250 225 245 295 260 255 275 275 280 210 230 180 235 280 255 245 290 265 250

Barrow, Alaska Massena, Iowa Spencer, Iowa Blair, Neb. Storm Lake, Iowa Davenport, Iowa Templeton, Iowa Sioux Falls, S.D. Kansas City, Mo. Ida Grove, Iowa Sioux City, Iowa Worthing, S.D. Omaha, Neb. Manning, Iowa Fremont, Neb. Omaha, Neb. O’Neil, Neb. Ankeny, Iowa Osceola, Neb. Wahoo, Neb. Fremont, Neb. Lincoln, Neb. Stapleton, Neb. Spencer, Iowa Dexter, Iowa Wilber, Neb. Baltimore, Md. Bronson, Iowa Hawarden, Iowa

Head coach: Steve Ryan Assistant coaches: Andrew Rode, Casey Jacobsen, Nathan Turner, Jay Schlichte, Taylor James, Darius Hicks, Klayton Nordeen, Deion Clayborne,

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Jon Andreasen.................................An-dree-sen Hunter Behrens...................................... Bear-ens Drew Bessey.................................................Bessy Ben Chelsvig........................................Ch-el-s-vig Joe Dolincheck............................... Doll-in-check Braden Drehle......................................... Drey-lee Colton Dreith................................................Dreeth Cajon Green............................................... Cay-jon Gage Haake...............................................Hay-kee

Jason Hahlbeck..................................... Hall-beck Laken Harnly...........................................Harn-lee Colton Irlbeck........................................ Earl-beck Jakob Jerabek......................................Jer-ah-bik Reid Jurgensmeier....................Jur-gens-my-er Logan Macumber........................... May-cum-ber Haden Mendel..........................................Hay-den Caden Ochsendorf.............................. Ox-en-dorf Isaac Pingel............................................. Ping-gul

Christian Riha.......................................... Ree-hah Colby Roos.................................................... Roh-s Caleb Schweigart........................... Sch-way-gert Jack Sievert............................................. See-vert Jake Taute................................................T-ow-tee Hayden Thilges.......................................... Til-ges Sione Tuifua.............See-oh-nee Too-ee-foo-uh Cooper Von Seggern.....................Von-Seg-gern Carson Wadle...........................................Wad-lee

The Morningside University experience cultivates a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

Morningside University UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Founded:..................................................................................................1894 Location:...............................................................................Sioux City, Iowa Enrollment:.............................................................................................1270 President: .............................................................................John Reynders Athletic Director: ......................................................................... Jim Sykes Faculty Athletics Representative: .....................................Susie Lubbers Registrar: .................................................................................. Jen Dolphin Assistant Athletic Director:...............................Jessica Jones-Sitzmann Sports Information Director: ................................................ Mark Adkins Head Athletic Trainer: ............................................................Katy Burford Equipment Manager: ...................................................Jordyn Wollenburg Athletic Phone:....................................................................(712) 274-5192 Athletic FAX:........................................................................(712) 274-5578 Sports Information Phone:................................................(712) 274-5127 Affiliation:................................................................................................NAIA Conference: ................................................................Great Plains Athletic Mascot: .......................................................................................... Mustangs Colors: ................................................................................. Maroon & White

FOOTBALL INFORMATION Head Coach: ................................................................................Steve Ryan Head Coach’s Alma Mater: .............................................. Wheaton (1989) Record At School: ………207-39 winning percentage of 84.1, 20 Years Career Record: …………..207-39 winning percentage of 84.1, 20 Years Office Phone: ......................................................................(712) 274-5283 Offensive Coordinator: ..........................................................Andrew Rode Co-Defensive Coordinators: ................Casey Jacobsen, Nathan Turner 2021 Record: ......................................................................................... 13-0 Home Field: ............................................................Elwood Olsen Stadium Surface: ........................................................................................... Fieldturf Capacity: ............................................................................................. 10,000 Press Box Phone: ...............................................................(319) 290-6601 Photo credits: Nick Buth and Dr. Gene Knudsen

morningside.edu

The Morningside University experience cultivates a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

Our FACILITIES Elwood Olsen Stadium The Mustangs began play in the newly renovated Elwood Olsen Stadium during the 2005 season.

Phase I of the renovation project began in June 2004 and was completed

by Aug. 15, 2004. This phase included the repair and restoration of the bleachers and the installation of new field lighting and a new public address system.

Phase II of the project began on April 24, 2005, and was completed by Aug. 15, 2005. This phase included the installation of Fieldturf and a new track and the repair and painting of the stadium walls and entrances, as well as installation of new fencing, the construction of a new east-end parking lot, and the remodeling of the locker rooms and restrooms. Additionally, the Sioux City Community School District and the college worked together to achieve the installation of a new digital scoreboard. The renovations were made possible through a public/private partnership between Morningside College and the Sioux City Community School District and through a generous donation by Elwood Olsen, a long-time resident of Sioux City and a 1938 Morningside graduate. The stadium was dedicated and renamed in his honor on August 16, 2005.

Olsen served his alma mater for thirty years, first as business manager and then as vice president of business at the college, until his retirement in 1978. Olsen was highly respected by his colleagues for his management of the college’s resources and his far-sighted policies that strengthened the college’s endowment. During his retirement, he and his late wife, Grace, also a 1938 Morningside graduate, continued to support the college. In 1988, they were the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Two years later, in recognition of Olsen’s careful stewardship of the college’s funds, Morningside bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1998, the college renamed the Commons the Elwood and Grace Olsen Student Center, in recognition of their six decades of generosity and commitment to the institution. Olsen was also active in the community, having served as a member and chairman of many civic organizations.

He was president of the Sergeant Floyd Area Council of the Boy Scouts and recipient of the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. His vision for the renovation of the stadium was a private/public partnership that would benefit all the students of the community. Elwood Olsen Stadium is home to the Morningside University and Sioux City East, Sioux City North, and Sioux City West High School football and track & field teams as well as the Sioux City Relays. After the installation of the new Fieldturf surface, the stadium has also become the home of Morningside’s men’s and women’s soccer teams.

morningside.edu

Administration JOHN REYNDERS President Morningside College President John Reynders was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the NAIA’s virtual national conference in May 2021.

He is the fourth Morningside University NAIA Hall of Fame honoree, joining former studentathlete and Major League Baseball pitcher Paul Splittorff; former baseball coach Don Protextor; and former men’s basketball coach A.W. Buckingham.

Reynders work in athletics has been a catalyst for much success within the Morningside program. He oversaw the successful transition of Morningside athletics from NCAA Division II to the NAIA, which resulted in the college going from 12 teams in 2000 to 28 sports in 2019. During that time, the Mustangs have claimed four NAIA women’s basketball national championships, two NAIA football national titles, were awarded the Great Plains Athletic Conference All-Sports trophy six of the last nine years and earned

JIM SYKES Director of Athletics Sykes stepped into the role of Morningside University Director of Athletics in December 2020.

He remained in a dual role as head men’s basketball coach through the end of the 2020-21 season before fully transitioning to Athletic Director.

“For more than two decades, Jim has been a consistent leader with an outstanding track record of excellence,” said Morningside University President John Reynders in the announcement of

Sykes’ new role. “He has done a remarkable job of guiding our studentathletes to success both on and off the court. Jim understands our culture, knows our athletes, and has a vision for how we can continue building athletics for the future.”

Sykes was part of the Morningside men’s basketball coaching staff for several years before he was promoted to the head coach position during the 2003-2004 season. He registered a 382-171 record which was good for a .690 winning percentage, holding the record for most victories as a Morningside men’s basketball head coach. Fifteen of his last 18 seasons were winning campaigns. In 11 of them, he was able to post 20+ wins.

Sykes led his teams to nine National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II tournament appearances, eight Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular-season championships, and three GPAC post-season tournament championships. He earned the honor of GPAC Coach of the Year seven times.

JESSICA JONES-SITZMANN Assistant Director of Athletics Morningside University athletic director Jim Sykes announced in June 2021 that head softball coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann would assume assistant athletic director duties.

Jones-Sitzmann will act as the head softball coach and assistant athletic director for the 2021-22 academic year and fully transition into the assistant athletic director role at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year.

“We are very pleased that an individual with Coach Jones-Sitzmann’s integrity and professionalism will be assisting in the vital athletic administration of Morningside University,” Sykes said. “Jessica’s dedication to success on and off the field in her softball program along with her remarkable attention to detail will serve her well as she starts this new career chapter.”

“Morningside University has always been a part of me since I stepped on campus to begin coaching the softball program,” Jones-Sitzmann said.

“I look forward to this new opportunity within Morningside athletics.

I am beyond committed to working with Jim and ensuring athletic department success and growth now and into the future on many levels.

Coaches STEVE RYAN

Head Coach

Steve Ryan has guided the Mustangs to a 207-39 record for an 84.1 winning percentage in 20 seasons for the most football coaching victories and the highest victory rate in Morningside history. Ryan has led the Mustangs to 18 consecutive post-season appearances in the NAIA National Championship Series, where the team has advanced to at least the semifinals eight times in the last 10 years. He has led the Mustangs to 12 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) championships, including their current run of 11 consecutive league titles.

Ryan is a three-time NAIA/American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. He earned his first such accolade in 2012 when the Mustangs went 13-1 and appeared in the national championship for the first time; his second occurred in 2018 as the Maroon rolled through an unbeaten campaign en route to the school’s first national title, and his third was earned in 2019 following Morningside›s second successive unbeaten campaign and national championship. He›s also a member of the AFCA›s Board of Directors.

Ryan is a 10-time GPAC Coach of the Year, receiving the honor in 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. He received AFCA NAIA Region 4 Coach of the Year recognition in 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 and was the 2004 NAIA Football.net National Coach of the Year.

Ryan’s Mustangs made their first appearance on the NAIA national stage in 2004 when they posted an 8-2 record, achieved a No. 12 national ranking, and secured their first-ever berth in the NAIA National Championship Series.

Ryan is a 1989 graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois, where he was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter as a linebacker. He received his master’s degree from National-Louis University in 1997.

Steve and his six children: Madison, Kali, Kelsi, Jenna, Gabrielle, and William, reside in Sioux City.

CASEY JACOBSEN

Co-Defensive Coordinator Jacobsen, named Morningside’s co-defensive coordinator following the 2010 campaign, is the dean among the Mustangs’ assistant coaches with 18 years of service. He was the special teams coordinator from 2005-10 and has coached both the outside and inside linebackers in his tenure at Morningside.

Jacobsen, a 2019 FootballScoop.com Coordinator of the Year and 2021 Spring American Football Coaches

NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year honoree, has had his defensive units consistently ranked among the nation’s finest. As an example, Morningside led the nation in scoring defense in the 2012 season with an average of only 13.2 points per game. The Mustangs held eight of their 14 opponents to single-digit scoring totals, including four shutouts.

Aside from leading the nation in scoring defense, the Mustangs ranked second in the NAIA in rushing defense (66.9 yards per game), set a school record with 34 quarterback sacks, and held their opponents to a minuscule average of 2.1 yards per rushing attempt. Jacobsen’s 2018 group was just as difficult for opposing offenses to solve, ranking in the national top five in fewest points allowed (15.8 pg - No. 3), total yardage allowed (264.7 ypg - No. 4) and rushing yards allowed (105.3 - No. 5).

Before his promotion to defensive coordinator, Jacobsen’s special teams were routinely ranked in the top 10 nationally in numerous categories, including kickoff coverage and blocked kicks. His tutelage led to many school records being broken in the special team categories of place kicking, kickoff returns, and punt returns.

Jacobsen previously coached at Buena Vista University, where he was the Beavers’ defensive line coach during the 2003 season and an assistant offensive line coach during the 2002 campaign.

He is a 2002 graduate of Buena Vista, where he was a three-year letter winner and a three-year starter as an offensive center.

Casey and his wife, Heidi, reside in Sioux City with their five children: Hogan, Kelynn, Owen, Annabelle, and Margaret.

NATHAN TURNER

Co-Defensive Coordinator Nathan Turner, named the Mustangs’ codefensive coordinator following the 2010 season, has 15 years of coaching experience at Morningside. Turner is also the Mustangs’ defensive line coach and strength & conditioning coach.

Turner, a 2019 FootballScoop.com Coordinator of the Year awardee, has aided Morningside’s defensive unit in being one of the country’s best year-in and year-out. As an example, in 2012, Morningside led the nation in scoring defense by yielding an average of only 13.2 points per game.

The Mustangs held eight of their 14 opponents to single-digit scoring totals, including four shutouts. They also ranked second in the NAIA in

rushing defense (66.9 yards per game), ninth in pass efficiency defense (98.60), and 16th in total defense (297.4 yards per game). The unit set a school record with 34 quarterback sacks and held their opposition to a minuscule average of 2.1 yards per rushing attempt.

The 2018 group was just as difficult for opposing offenses to solve, ranking in the national top five in fewest points allowed (15.8 pg - No. 3), total yardage allowed (264.7 ypg - No. 4) and rushing yards allowed (105.3 - No. 5).

He was previously the running backs coach and video coordinator at Eastern Oregon University.

Turner graduated from Eastern Oregon in 2004.

He was one of the Mountaineers’ team captains in 2003. That season he was the recipient of Eastern Oregon’s Iron Man Strength and Big Team Little Me awards.

where he helped the program go 16-4 in his final two seasons as an offensive coordinator.

The stratospheric run was due, in large part, to a rushing attack that was ranked third in the nation both years.

Andrew and his wife, Joy, were married in 2011 and have three children Alice, Everest, and McKinley.

JAY SCHLICHTE

Offensive Line Coach

Schlichte joined Morningside’s football staff in February 2019. He leads the offensive line and run game strategies for the program.

He and his wife, Sarah, reside in Sioux City.

ANDREW RODE Offensive Coordinator Rode joined the Morningside College staff in April 2020.

He previously spent five seasons at the Concordia University of Michigan. In four of those five campaigns, the Cardinals averaged better than 28 points per game in four seasons which included 28.1 in 2019 which led them to their third straight National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ postseason appearance. That total was part of an impressive three-year span where CU also compiled averages of 33.1 ppg in 2018 and 36.1 ppg in 2017 to help aid in the playoff achievements. As part of that roll, Rode was tabbed the MidStates Football Association’s Mideast Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017.

Prior to his stint in Ann Arbor, Rode was on the staff at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Greenville College for five years where he helped the program go 16-4 in his final two seasons as an offensive coordinator.

The stratospheric run was due, in large part, to a rushing attack that was ranked third in the nation both years.

Andrew and his wife, Joy, were married in 2011 and have three children Alice, Everest, and McKinley. They reside in Sioux City.

Prior to his stint in Ann Arbor, Rode was on the staff at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Greenville College for five years

He had previously served as a special teams coordinator and tight end coaches at NCAA Division III University of Dubuque for two seasons before arriving in Sioux City. Schlichte earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Minnesota at Duluth in the spring of 2015 and a Master’s degree from the University of Dubuque in the spring of 2017.

DARIUS HICKS

Special Teams Coordinator

special teams coordinator.

Hicks returned to the Mustangs’ football coaching roster in May 2019 as co-leader of the defensive backs group. He was on head coach Steve Ryan’s staff from 2014-17 holding down roles as a student coach and defensive backs coach and

Hicks journeyed to NCAA Division II Emporia State University in 2018-19 where he was the cornerbacks coach and assistant special teams coordinator. In his playing days for the Mustangs, Hicks was an all-Great Plains Athletic Conference honoree as a senior and played on a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ national runner-up team as a junior.

coaches continued TAYLOR JAMES

Special Teams Coordinator

DEION CLAYBORNE

Assistant Coach

James joined Morningside’s coaching staff prior to the 2017 season following a standout playing career for the Mustangs.

James, who joins fellow assistant Darius Hicks in coaching the Mustangs’ defensive backs, collected 186 tackles, five interceptions and eight pass breakups during his playing career.

He graduated from Morningside in 2017 with a major in business administration.

James was a three-year starting defensive back for the Mustangs and a second-team All-GPAC performer as a senior when he was the Mustangs’ third leading tackler with 51 stops to go along with three interceptions and five pass breakups. He was the team’s fourth leading tackler with 70 tackles as a junior and ranked fifth on the team with 56 tackles as a sophomore.

Taylor, his wife, Keely, and daughter, Saige, reside in Kingsley.

ROGER JANSEN

Assistant Coach

Jansen joined the Mustangs staff in the summer of 2020. He aids with defensive coaching. He’s also the program’s equipment manager.

He is a legend in the local high school gridiron coaching fraternity, having led Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School to 166 wins, a program record. That total included two Iowa High School Athletic Association state championships (2008/2013); four runner-up endings (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014), and 16 playoff appearances over three separate tenures at the helm.

Roger and his wife, Roxanne, reside in Sioux City and are parents to two daughters, Allison and Taylor, and one son, Austin.

The former defensive backfield standout returns to Morningside in a new role aiding fellow first year assistant Klayton Nordeen in working with the running backs.

Clayborne made a massive impact for the Mustangs as a student-athlete. He was a member of the back-to-back national championship squads of 2018 and 2019 along with earning National Football Foundation Hampshire Society academic and all-Great Plains Athletic Conference playing accolades along with an NAIA Championship Series Player of the Game award.

KLAYTON NORDEEN

Assistant Coach

The former defensive backfield standout returns to Morningside in a new role aiding fellow first year assistant Deion Clayborne in working with the running backs.

Nordeen made a massive impact for the Mustangs as a student-athlete. He was a member of the back-to-back national championship squads of 2018 and 2019 along with earning National Football Foundation Hampshire Society academic and all-Great Plains Athletic Conference playing accolades along with an NAIA Champions of Character notation.

Morningside University 2021 GREAT PLAINS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS NO. 2 NATIONAL SEED Sept. 4

Morningside 63, Concordia 7

Sept. 11

Morningside 56, Doane 14

Sept. 18

Morningside 56, Mount Marty 7

Oct. 2

Morningside 59, Midland 14

Oct. 9

Morningside 62, Hastings 7

Oct. 16

Morningside 84, Briar Cliff 7

Oct. 23

Morningside 34, Dordt 28

Oct. 30

Morningside 70, Jamestown 7

Nov. 6

Morningside 55, Northwestern 49

Nov. 13

Morningside 52, Dakota Wesleyan 7

Nov. 20

Morningside 63, Ottawa (Ariz.) 38

Nov. 27

Morningside 58, Kansas Wesleyan 21

Dec. 4

Morningside 28, Northwestern 19

Championship Heritage MUSTANGS CONCLUDE UNBEATEN CAMPAIGN ATOP NAIA GRAMBLING, LA. – The Tom Osborne Trophy didn’t have an unfamiliar route home in 2019.

A gritty Morningside College defense dug its heels in and held a hard-charging Marian University of Indiana on downs inside its own 25-yard-line in the late stages of the final stanza. The Maroon offense reciprocated turning to junior running back star Arnijae “AP” Ponder for four carries totaling 11 yards and sophomore quarterback Joe Dolincheck, winding up an Offensive Player of the Game performance for the ages with a toss sweep pass to senior wide receiver Bo Els who found the end zone for the deciding points of a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship game victory.

The scoring drive gave head coach Steve Ryan’s team a 40-31 advantage. The second-seeded Knights moved in for a score with 1:04 to go but couldn’t convert the ensuing onside kick to close out the 40-38 final. It was a victory ensuring Mside’s residence as one of four NAIA programs to win back-to-back championships, joining the University of St. Francis of Indiana, Carroll College of Montana, and Georgetown College of Kentucky.

Heroes emerged on a rainy, cool northern Louisiana evening that will be remembered in the Mustangs’ annals. Offensively, Dolincheck became only the third quarterback in program history to reach 4,000 yards in a season and firing for six touchdowns tying him for sixth among all-time single-game bests at the school; the receiving trio of sophomore Austin Johnson, junior Reid Jurgensmeier and Els vexed another defensive secondary for a combined 28 catches that resulted in 262 yards and five touchdowns; and Ponder, the nation›s leading rusher and the Mustangs› all-time ground gainer, picked up a 25th 100-yards-or-more outing with 20 carries for 130 yards.

The defense was opportunistic with one takeaway in the form of an interception from senior linebacker Chase Nelson. They also made themselves familiar in Marian’s backfield with five tackles for losses and also made things difficult on the opposition passing attack with seven break-ups to go along with the interception. It couldn’t have been more appropriate, either, than the five men topping the tackle charts to be part of the Class of 2020 which had guided the way to lofty heights. Senior linebacker Joel Katzer and his twin brother, Joel, the authors of so many special Mustangs› moments over the last four years, tallied 13 and seven tackles, respectively; the backfield tandem of senior Klayton Nordeen and Deion Clayborne turned in eight and seven tackles apiece with Clayborne adding five break-ups to gain Defensive Player of the Game honors; and defensive lineman Alex Paulson leading another impressive line effort with four tackles.

It was another strong special teams’ collaboration, too. The duo of freshman placekicker Chase Carter and senior punter Addison Ross provided the headlines. Carter was five-for-five in extra points and averaged better than 45 yards per kickoff and Ross was especially key pinning Marian inside the 20 once and averaging better than 36 yards per punt with long of 47 yards.

MORNINGSIDE REACHES NAIA PINNACLE

2018 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Apropos. The Webster Dictionary meaning states simply “very appropriate to a particular situation.”

That couldn’t have been more outlined than a 16-yard touchdown pass that sent the top-ranked team in the NAIA to the top of the national mountain Saturday, Dec. 15. The two individuals on the front and back end had done something similar for the Maroon … 164 times for senior quarterback Trent Solsma and 73 times for senior wide receiver Connor Niles. No play was more legendary than the final one in the game, though, that followed Benedictine’s misfortune with a bad snap on a punt that enabled a Morningside drive to start in the red zone with the clock ticking down.

“I just remember catching it and then going to my knees,” Niles said after Morningside claimed its first national championship.

“After that, it was all cameras and teammates mobbing me. This is absolutely amazing.”

“It was going to him no matter what,” Solsma admitted. “He’s made big plays his entire career. This was no different.”

A touchdown for the ages that settled what had been a back and forth game from the get go at Daytona Municipal Stadium. The Ravens struck fast with a touchdown on their opening drive and head coach Steve Ryan’s team answered with back-to-back pay dirt strikes. The first from Solsma to Niles from 44 yards with the second to sophomore running back Arnijae “AP” Ponder from five yards out.

Benedictine found a comeback of their own to end the half rattling off 13 straight points for a 20-14 halftime advantage.

Despite the first halftime deficit in some time for the team, there was no sense of panic at halftime, according to Niles.

“I’ve got to credit (senior defensive lineman) Chase Ries and (junior linebacker Joel) Katzer for helping keep things on an even keel (in the locker room),” he noted. “He and the defense just said score once and we won’t give it back.”

“We shot ourselves in the foot a little in the first half,” Solsma said. “We just kept it calm though … We’d been moving it up and down the field. We leaned on our phrase of ‘Just Believe.’”

The offense went to work quickly in the third period with Solsma hitting Niles on an electrifying 80-yard strike. The Mustang quarterback turned to sophomore wide receiver Reid Jurgensmeier for a 19-yard touchdown pass and a 28-20 lead. The defense stood in strong the remainder of the second half, allowing a tying score on a short field but then turning away the Ravens three and out two times in a row to send the Morningside

faithful and the team itself into euphoria at game’s end.

“We had to stay relaxed and have fun down the stretch,” Reis, the defensive Player of the Game due to eight tackles, a sack and two and a half tackles for losses, pointed out. “This was our last go around … the last time to be able to play with our friends in a game we love. It couldn’t have ended much better.

“It was all about (our defense) getting an opportunity and making the most of it,” he added. “Our coaches have been working with day in and day out making sure we were ready for just such a thing.”

Joel Katzer and junior defensive back Klayton Nordeen stood tall for the defense numberswise. Katzer tallied 18 tackles, while Nordeen finished with 10 and an interception. The other half of the Katzer linebackingconnection, Jacob, tallied nine tackles.

Offensively, Solsma and Niles wrapped up remarkable collegiate careers with 292

yards and four touchdowns passing for the quarterback and 164 yards and three touchdown receptions for the wide receiver.

Niles, due to his game-winning catch and setting a new career receiving yardage record for the NAIA (6,239), was named the offensive Player of the Game. Ponder had another workman-like effort on the ground rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Special teams came through as senior punter Spencer Wyant produced big kick after big kick to turn the field around to the tune of 45.5 yards per attempt with a long of 57. Senior placekicker Jared Amundson (Sioux City, Iowa) wound up his collegiate campaign perfect as always on extra points, going five-for-five.

“I’ve been motivated to not let this season end,” Ryan said. “The toughest part for me was that, at the end of the night, the year would be over. I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished. It ended the way we were hoping.”

All-Time Statisical Leaders RUSHING

PASS RECEPTIONS

SINGLE SEASON LEADERS

SINGLE SEASON LEADERS

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

2,610, Brandon Wegher, 2014 2,160, Bubba Jenkins, 2017 1,884, AP Ponder, 2019 1,683, AP Ponder, 2018 1,624, Jake Peterson, 2009 1,492, Anthony Sims, 2021 1,353, Tyler Kavan, 2016 1,325, Dave Bigler, 1971 1,313, Tyler Kavan, 2015 1,284, Connie Callahan, 1949

153, Connor Niles, 2018 96, Connor Niles, 2017 95, Bo Els, 2019 93, Antuan Bloom, 2007 92, Reid Jurgensmeier, 2021 88, Joel McCabe, 2012 86, Todd Smith, 1988 83, Connor Niles, 2015 81, Trae Johnson, 2005 80, Beau Kildow, 2009

CAREER LEADERS

CAREER LEADERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

5,043, AP Ponder, 2017-2020 3,815, Brandon Wegher, 2013-14 3,789, Anthony Sims, 20183,421, Tyler Kavan, 2013-16 2,877, Dave Bigler, 1969-71 2,234, Jake Peterson, 2008-09 2,160, Bubba Jenkins, 2017 1,872, Tyler Childress, 2005-08 1,743, Fred Jones, 2011-12 1,695, Joel Rogers, 1994-95

PASSING

367, Connor Niles, 2014-2018 308, Reid Jurgensmeier, 2017219, Kyle Ortegren, 2002-05 212, Beau Kildow, 2006-09 201, Mitch Allner, 1996-99 193, Joel McCabe, 2010-13 177, Bo Els, 2016-19 173, Kyle Schuck, 2010-13 170, Cody Jaminet, 2003-06 161, Cory Wirth, 2002-05

RECEIVING YARDAGE

SINGLE SEASON LEADERS

SINGLE SEASON LEADERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

5,391, Trent Solsma, 2018 4,885, Craig Fobbe, 2005 4,406, Trent Solsma, 2017 4,378, Joe Dolincheck, 2021 4,303 Joe Dolincheck, 2019 3,953, Ryan Kasdorf, 2015 3,844, Joel Nixon, 2012 3,721, Joe Dolincheck, 2020 3,644, Ryan Kasdorf, 2014 3,623, Ian Gilworth, 2007

2,639, Connor Niles, 2018 1,910, Trae Johnson, 2005 1,538, Connor Niles, 2015 1,449, Connor Niles, 2017 1,419, Kyle Schuck, 2013 1,409, Reid Jurgensmeier, 2020 1,393, Reid Jurgensmeier, 2021 1,383, Beau Kildow, 2009 1,377, Reid Jurgensmeier, 2019 1,284, Joel McCabe, 2012

CAREER LEADERS

CAREER LEADERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

14,033, Trent Solsma, 2015-2018 12,629, Joe Dolincheck, 201811,623, Craig Fobbe, 2002-05 10,932, Ryan Kasdorf, 2013-15 6,753, Ian Gilworth, 2007-08 6,315, Jim Gibson, 1982-85 5,101, Tim Richard, 2006-09 4,139, J.J. White, 1997-2000 3,844, Joel Nixon, 2012 3,644, Don Zeleznak, 1966-68

Trent Solsma

6,339, Connor Niles, 2014-2018 5,247, Reid Jurgensmeier, 20173,277, Beau Kildow, 2006-09 3,008, Kyle Schuck, 2010-13 2,976, Kyle Ortegren, 2002-05 2,937, Mitch Allner, 1996-99 2,533, Austin Johnson, 20172,508, Joel McCabe, 2010-13 2,328, Jason Vander Kooi, 2013-16 2,258, Tanner Ver Steeg, 2014-17

Connor Niles

Craig Fobbe

Post-Season Records and Results INDIVIDUAL RECORDS Yards Rushing – 311, Brandon Wegher vs. Missouri Valley, 11-29-14 Longest Run From Scrimmage – 79 yards, Brandon Wegher vs.

Missouri Valley, 11-29-14 Rushing Attempts – 36, Mike McNulty vs. Dickinson St., 11-20-10 Rushing Touchdowns – 3, Joe Don Hunter vs. Lindenwood, 11- 29-08;

Brandon Wegher vs. Missouri Valley, 11-29-14; Tyler Kavan vs.

Saint Xavier, 11-21-15, vs. Southern Oregon, 12-5-15 & vs.Tabor, 11-19-16 Yards Passing – 501, Craig Fobbe vs. Evangel, 11-26-05 Longest Completion – 80 yards, Craig Fobbe vs. St. Ambrose,

11-19- 05 Pass Completions – 39, Ryan Kasdorf vs. Saint Xavier, 11-21-15 Pass Attempts – 61, Ryan Kasdorf vs. Saint Xavier, 11-21-15 Touchdown Passes – 7, Ian Gilworth vs. Baker, 11-22-08 Completion Percentage – 82.1 (23-28), Ian Gilworth vs. Baker,

11-22- 08 Yards Total Offense – 581, Ryan Kasdorf vs. Saint Xavier, 11-21-15 Pass Receptions – 14, Antuan Bloom vs. Carroll, 11-24-07 Pass Reception Yards – 287, Trae Johnson vs. St. Ambrose, 11-19-05 Longest Reception – 80 yards, Trae Johnson vs. St. Ambrose, 11-19-05 Reception Touchdowns – 4, Trae Johnson vs. St. Ambrose, 11-19-05 Touchdowns – 5, Tyler Kavan vs. Saint Xavier, 11-21-15 Points Scored – 30, Tyler Kavan vs. Saint Xavier, 11-21-15

Field Goals – 3, Jared Amundson vs. Tabor, 11-28-15 Longest Field Goal – 44 yards, C.J. Gradoville vs. Dickinson State 11-20-10 PATs – 9, C.J. Gradoville vs. Baker, 11-22-08; Jared Amundson vs.

Tabor, 11-19-16 Punting Average – 48.5, Spencer Wyant vs. Sterling, 11-18-17 Longest Punt – 66 yards, Spencer Wyant vs. Sterling, 11-18-17 Punt Return Yards – 104, Beau Kildow vs. Missouri Valley, 11-21-09 Longest Punt Return – 84 yards, Beau Kildow vs. Missouri Valley, 11-21-09 Kickoff Return Yards – 130, Colby Henderson vs. Montana Tech, 11-17-12 Longest Kickoff Return – 90 yards, Colby Henderson vs. Montana

Tech, 11-17-12 Interceptions – 2 five times, last by Ethan Stofferan vs. Tabor, 11-28-15 Interception Return Yards – 153, Chad Hustedt vs. Jamestown,

11- 17-07 Longest Interception Return – 99 yards, Chad Hustedt vs.

Jamestown, 11-17-07

Pass break-ups – 3, Saul Salinas vs. Evangel, 11-26-05 Quarterback Sacks – 4.5, David Rios, vs. St. Xavier, 11-30-19 Solo Tackles – 12, Ben Rickord vs. Southern Oregon, 11-24-12 Assisted Tackles – 15, Tyler Wingert vs. Ottawa (AZ), 11-20-21 Total Tackles – 19, Tyler Wingert vs. Ottawa (AZ), 11-20-21

All-Time NAIA Post-Season

2004

First Round – Saint Francis (IN) 53, Morningside 3

2005

First Round – Morningside 58, St. Ambrose 7 Quarterfinals – Morningside 54, Evangel 21 Semifinals – Saint Francis (IN) 42, Morningside 14

2006

First Round – Morningside 38, St. Ambrose 31 (2 OT) Quarterfinals – Sioux Falls 37, Morningside 7

2007

First Round – Morningside 45, Jamestown 14 Quarterfinals – Carroll 27, Morningside 16

2008

First Round – Morningside 65, Baker 27 Quarterfinals – Lindenwood 34, Morningside 31

2009

First Round – Morningside 24, Missouri Valley 6 Quarterfinals – Sioux Falls 49, Morningside 21

2010

First Round – Morningside 38, Dickinson State 17 Quarterfinals – MidAmerica Nazarene 34, Morningside 10

2011

First Round – St. Francis (IL) 21, Morningside 17

2012

First Round – Morningside 40, Montana Tech 35 Quarterfinals – Morningside 47, Southern Oregon 44 (OT) Semifinals – Morningside 47, Saint Xavier 19 Championship – Marian 30, Morningside 27 (OT)

2013

First Round – Morningside 40, Rocky Mountain 21 Quarterfinals – Morningside 36, Baker 28 Semifinals – Grand View 35, Morningside 0

2014

First Round – Morningside 42, Ottawa 21 Quarterfinals – Morningside 56, Missouri Valley 28 Semifinals – Marian 41, Morningside 21

2015

First Round – Morningside 75, Saint Xavier 69 (4 OT) Quarterfinals – Morningside 51, Tabor 6 Semifinals – Southern Oregon 30, Morningside 27

2016

First Round – Morningside 65, Tabor 17 Quarterfinals – Saint Francis 42, Morningside 35

2017

First Round – Morningside 63, Sterling 7 Quarterfinals – Morningside 52, Saint Xavier 7 Semifinals – Saint Francis 43, Morningside 36

2018

First Round – Morningside 49, Rocky Mountain 20 Quarterfinals – Morningside 52, St. Xavier (Ill.) 14 Semifinals – Morningside 34, St. Francis (Ind.) 28 (OT) Championship - Morningside 35, Benedictine (Kan.) 28

2019

First Round – Morningside 57, Dickinson State 14 Quarterfinals – Morningside 51, St. Xavier (Ill.) 0 Semifinals – Morningside 21, Grand View 16 Championship - Morningside 40, Marian 38

2020

First round – Morningside 55, Carroll (Mont.) 0 Quarterfinals – Morningside 45, Baker (Kan.) 29 Semifinals – Northwestern 44, Morningside 41

2021

First round – Morningside 63, Ottawa (Ariz.) 38 Quarterfinals – Morningside 58, Kansas Wesleyan 21 Semifinals – Morningside 28, Northwestern 19 Championship - Morningside vs. Grand View

Dancing to Durham STOUT DEFENSIVE EFFORT SENDS MORNINGSIDE TO NATIONAL TITLE TILT The tried but true adage that defense wins championships was on full display Saturday, Dec. 4.

Head coach Steve Ryan’s Mustangs, seeking a third trip to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ finale in the last four years, turned to a bend-but-don’t break unit for a good share of the 60 minutes at Elwood Olsen Stadium. Number four seeded and Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Northwestern College may have out-gained their hosts 454-405 and had a two first down advantage at the game’s end, but the numbers that mattered most belonged to second-seeded Mside 28-19 on the scoreboard as celebration ensued with the final clock’s tick.

Northwestern’s high-flying offense managed just one visit to the end zone in seven red-zone tries. Four other attempts netted field goals, with the other three being turned away by a missed field goal, fumble, and interception. Meanwhile, the home side crashed paydirt four times, as senior running back Matt Strecker recorded Offensive Player of the Game accolades with two touchdowns as part of a 15-carry, 65-yard afternoon. Senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck added up the other two touchdowns, hitting sophomore wide receiver Zach Norton, who ran wide open down the middle of the field on a 69-yard paydirt connection, and senior tight end Sione Tiufua on a seven-yard scoring strike.

Senior linebacker Tyler Wingert, the Defensive Player of the Game, had a day to remember. He posted 19 tackles, his seventh doubledigit mark of the year, and accounted for a pass break-up and tackle for loss. Fellow senior linebacker Jalen Portis was also a thorn in the Red Raiders side with an interception, four tackles for losses, and a sack. Sophomore linebacker Isaac Pingel (fumble recovery), junior defensive back Jamal Jones (interception), and senior defensive lineman Carter Anderson (one and a half sacks) also figured in prominently.

PASSING THE TEST - MUSTANGS AERIAL ATTACK SENDS THEM TO SEMIFINALS Morningside University scored touchdowns on its first five drives Saturday, Nov. 27, and didn’t look back en route to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Championship Series quarterfinal round victory.

Riding the arm of senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck throughout 60 minutes on the home FieldTurf at Elwood Olsen Stadium, head coach Steve Ryan’s Mustangs, the number two national postseason seed, opened up a 38-7 halftime advantage towards a 58-21 victory

over 10th-seeded Kansas Wesleyan University. Dolincheck, surpassing the 12,000-yard and 125-touchdown career milestones to spotlight Offensive Player of the Game honors, went for 417 yards and five scores, topping an offense that collected more than 550 yards to highlight a fifth straight advancement to the national last four.

Senior wide receiver Austin Johnson returned to the field in a big way with two touchdowns as part of a seven-catch, 153-yard afternoon. Fellow senior wideout Reid Jurgensmeier, becoming only the second receiver in program history to reach 70 touchdowns with one end zone visit, also hauled in seven catches, with his yardage total sitting at 77. Sophomore Zach Norton and senior Caleb Schweigart also collected four-or-more receptions with four each.

Ryan’s crew, improving to 12-0, needed every bit of the aerial circus.

The home side’s running attack was limited to 137 yards. However, senior running back Matt Strecker and freshman backfield mate Ryan Cole managed to crash into the visiting end zone three times.

The Mustangs defense proved stout again, too. Kansas Wesleyan didn’t generate two of their scoring drives until the late stages, as four sacks, five tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three pass breakups, and three opposing quarterback hurries kept the usually-potent Coyote offense off schedule. Senior linebacker Jalen Portis was tabbed Defensive Player of the Game, compiling two sacks and two tackles for losses among his eight total tackles. Tyler Wingert, Portis’ position and classmate, also was part of eight tackles. Defensive linemen Zack Keller and Dominick Barrett, also Class of 2022 members, added to the sack totals with one apiece.

NOTES: Morningside’s tradition-rich history continued along within the offensive totals. It was the fifth time they’ve reached 50-or-more quarterfinal round points further to celebrate the program’s 30th all-time playoff triumph… Despite missing an extra point, junior placekicker Chase Carter ran his current string of made field goals to nine.

SECOND HALF STORY – KEY RUN SENDS MORNINGSIDE TO QUARTERFINALS Senior wide receiver Caleb Schweigart and junior defensive back Lonell Boyd, Jr. couldn’t have been more apropos selections for Players of the Game Saturday, Nov. 20.

With a back-and-forth heavyweight title tilt raging between the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for the first 30 minutes at Elwood Olsen Stadium, the upperclassman pair both put their handprints on the outcome.

And in significant ways.

Schweigart took a punt midway through the third period and weaved through the Ottawa (Arizona) University special teams defense.

Eighty-three happy yards later, with the home crowd roaring in approval, he found himself in the end zone virtually untouched to continue what would be a game-deciding 21-0 run for the No. 2-ranked Mustangs in the NAIA Championship Series opener.

Boyd, Jr.’s opportunity occurred on the ensuing drive with the wily No. 15-seeded Sprit looking to answer as they had seemingly done at each turn. Mside’s defense kept OUAZ out of the end zone and, after a bad snap, Boyd, Jr. got through the line and emphatically blocked a field goal attempt, securing a 49-38 advantage. Two touchdowns later for the home side and head coach Steve Ryan’s program had won an opening-round playoff game for the 16th time in 18 attempts, toppling OUAZ 63-38.

Morningside’s defense proved vital in the second 30 minutes, too, beyond what Boyd, Jr., did in special teams. After Ottawa scored on its first drive of the third quarter for a 38-35 lead, co-coordinators Casey Jacobsen and Nate Turner’s unit stopped the visitors four times on downs and forced them into a punt while only allowing an average of fewer than five yards per play. They managed two sacks and eight tackles-for-losses. Among the individual leaders were senior linebacker Tyler Wingert, registering his fifth 10-or-more tackles outing of the season (19) to equal his single-game career-high he achieved the week before at Dakota Wesleyan University; Boyd, Jr., who added an interception, a tackle for loss and a breakup to his Player of the Game resume; junior defensive back Jamal Jones finishing with 11 tackles and two break-ups; sophomore Isaac Pingel tallying 11 tackles, a half-a-tackle for loss and two break-ups; and senior linebacker Jalen Portis adding ten tackles and one tackle-forloss.

The offensive heroes for the Mustangs proved to be many as well.

Reigning Great Plains Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Joe Dolincheck was laser-sharp, going 25-for-35 for 360 yards and three touchdowns; the backfield combination of senior Anthony Sims and freshman Ryan Cole produced five rushing touchdowns; and the upperclassman-themed wide receiver group of senior Reid Jurgensmeier, senior Austin Johnson and Schweigart each hauled in five-or-more receptions.

Morningside (11-0) advances into the national quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 27, at 12 p.m. against an opponent to be determined at Elwood Olsen Stadium.

NOTES: Schweigart’s punt return scamper for six moved him into a tie for the career and single-season school records alongside former standout Connor Niles (three career/two single-season) … Junior placekicker Chase Carter resumed his impressive recent stretch, going nine-for-nine in extra points and averaged nearly 50 yards on his kickoff attempts … Morningside’s openinground playoff point production is nothing new. Since 2015, Ryan’s program has hit 50-or-more points five times with a current roll of three straight years.

ELEVEN IS HEAVEN – THRILLING ROAD WIN ADDS TO HISTORIC GPAC CHAMPIONSHIP RUN Fans of big plays and touchdowns got their money’s worth and more Nov. 6.

A long-awaited tussle between National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ No. 2-ranked Northwestern College and No. 3-ranked Morningside University lived up to pre-game billing going down the final minute inside a packed De Valois Stadium on NWC’s campus. While the better than 1,000 yards of gains and 104 combined points that the two Great Plains Athletic Conference powerhouses assaulted the scoreboard with were sparkling, there were, tucked inside those digits, big defensive and special teams efforts on a sun-splashed early November afternoon.

Junior placekicker Chase Carter increased his streak of made extra points to 32 and also made good on field-goal attempts of 44 and 40 yards, proving his back-to-back league Special Teams Player of the Week awards. His 13 points of contributions proved vital to head coach Steve Ryan’s team turning aside the rival Red Raiders 55-49 to the joy of a big Mustangs contingent gathered on the stadium’s east side and locking up Mside’s 11th straight conference championship.

Co-defensive coordinators Casey Jacobsen and Nathan Turner received big plays from several sources, too. Senior linebacker Tyler Wingert picked off a tipped ball late in the fourth quarter to end a Northwestern march as part of an eight-tackle and three tackles for loss day; senior defensive end Weston Schultz wrangled down elusive home signal-caller Tyson Kooima for a sack; and senior defensive lineman Zack Keller worked his way through the Red Raider offensive line for two tackles for losses out of three total to headline the unit’s accolades.

Meanwhile, the offensive agency of Dolincheck, Sims, and Jurgensmeier was in its usual form on the other side of the ball.

Senior quarterback Joe Dolincheck threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, with senior wide receiver Reid Jurgensmeier and his big frame being the target at several key moments that led him to 10 receptions for 188 yards and three scores. Senior running back Anthony Sims proved a battering ram to the home team defense, pounding away with 31 carries for 173 yards and four touchdowns. His final two scores, one a breakaway 46-yard bolt to paydirt and the other a dash around end for three yards and a score, kept Northwestern at arm’s length down the stretch.

NOTES: Carter’s 44-yard field goal that closed out the first half scoring tied him for the seventh-longest made kick in program history.

Mustangs 2021