SEWARD, Neb. – It’s homecoming week on the Concordia University campus. That means the Bulldogs will be back at home this Saturday to welcome rival Midland to Bulldog Stadium. Second-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has found ways to pull out two games that have both gone down the wire. Now Concordia tries to keep it going against a Warrior program it has beaten six-straight times.
A monster performance by sophomore linebacker Lane Napier, the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week, allowed the Bulldogs to escape North Dakota with a 16-13 win last week despite a 347-144 disadvantage in total yards. For the second week in a row, a fourth-quarter touchdown rush by Ryan Durdon supplied the deciding points. Durdon found the end zone twice, but was limited to 53 rushing yards on 15 carries by the Jimmies.
Meanwhile, Midland was dealt its first loss last week in 49-20 decision at fifth-ranked Northwestern. The Warriors opened up their season with nonconference victories over MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) and Mayville State University (N.D.). The 2-0 start allowed head coach Jeff Jamrog’s squad to crack the top 25 poll at No. 24. Midland dropped into the receiving votes category this week on the heels of last week’s defeat.
GAME INFO
Midland (2-1, 0-1) at Concordia (2-0, 1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 22 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Team Statistics
*National rank out of 90 NAIA football programs in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 20.5 (66th)
Defensive PPG: 16.5 (19th)
Total Offense: 227.0 (87th)
Pass Offense: 69.5 (88th)
Rush Offense: 157.5 (45th)
Total Defense: 325.5 (31st)
Pass Defense: 239.5 (62nd)
Rush Defense: 86.0 (9th)
Turnover +/-: 0 (T-44th)
Midland
Offensive PPG: 41.7 (T-13th)
Defensive PPG: 32.3 (60th)
Total Offense: 483.7 (T-13th)
Pass Offense: 256.7 (24th)
Rush Offense: 227.0 (15th)
Total Defense: 420.3 (64th)
Pass Defense: 267.0 (76th)
Rush Defense: 153.3 (44th)
Turnover +/-: -1 (T-53rd)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (8-4, 2nd season)
Passing: Jake Kemp – 18/31 (.581), 138 yards, td, 2 int; rushing td
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 57 rushes, 303 yards, 5.3 avg, 4 td
Receiving: Vincent Beasley – 4 catches, 50 yards, 12.5 avg
Defense: Lane Napier – 30 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 2 sacks
Midland
Head Coach: Jeff Jamrog (14-10, 3rd season)
Passing: Payton Nelson – 51/94 (.543), 719 yards, 8 td, 2 int; rushing: 31 att, 210 yards, 6.8 avg, td
Rushing: Lukas Vopnford – 31 rushes, 155 yards, 5.0 avg, 4 td; 11 catches, 49 yards, td
Receiving: Jordan Jackson – 9 catches, 187 yards, 20.8 avg, 5 td
Defense: Johan Williams – 18 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 5 sacks
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (2-0, 1-0)
9/8 vs. Buena Vista, W, 27-20
9/15 at Jamestown, 1 p.m.
9/22 vs. Midland, 1 p.m.
9/29 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/6 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
10/13 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
10/20 vs. Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/27 at (3) Morningside, 1 p.m.
11/3 vs. (7) Northwestern, 1 p.m.
11/10 at Doane, 1 p.m.
Midland (2-1, 0-1)
8/25 vs. MidAmerica Nazarene, W, 49-28
9/1 vs. Mayville State, W, 56-20
9/15 at (5) Northwestern, L, 20-49
9/22 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
9/29 vs. Jamestown, 1 p.m.
10/6 vs. (2) Morningside, 1 p.m.
10/13 at Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/20 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
10/27 at Doane, 1 p.m.
11/3 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/10 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Concordia cracked the NAIA top 25 national poll last Nov. 6 but then dropped out after falling in the 2017 finale. The Bulldogs did not receive any votes in the preseason national poll this preseason or in the first two regular-season polls. They were picked fourth among the 10 GPAC football schools by both the coaches and media. Massey Ratings currently lists Concordia as the 40th ranked team nationally in the NAIA.
Midland jumped into the top 25 at No. 24 last week before falling out this week. The Warriors continue to receive votes. In the GPAC preseason polls, Midland was picked to finish third by both the coaches and the media. Massey Ratings has the Warriors ranked 36th in the NAIA.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 4th (coaches); 4th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 17): not ranked
Massey Ratings: 40th
Midland
GPAC preseason: 3rd (coaches); 3rd (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 17): receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 36th
Napier tabbed GPAC Defensive Player of the Week
Lane Napier has a nose for the football. His performance at inside linebacker was instrumental in Concordia grinding out a win last week. On Monday he was recognized by the conference as the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week after he racked up 21 tackles, 2.5 stops for loss and a sack at Jamestown. The tackle total was a career high for the David City, Neb., native. In 12 career games, Napier has already accumulated 127 tackles. His average of 15.0 tackles per game currently leads all NAIA players. After making 97 stops as a freshman, Napier could be poised to become the program’s sixth player in the GPAC era (2000-present) to notch 100 tackles in a season. He may even challenge Erik DeHaven’s school GPAC era record of 110 tackles in a season.
Most tackles in a season, GPAC era
1. Erik DeHaven (2001) – 110
2. Michael Hedlund (2016) – 107
3. Michael Hedlund (2015) – 105
3. Josh Conrad (2000) – 105
5. Sean Stewart (2001) – 102
6. Troy Schlueter (2000) – 100
7. Lane Napier (2017) – 97
Against the rush
Napier is the headliner for a defense that has gotten off to a good start stopping the run. Buena Vista University (Iowa) managed only 21 rushing yards on 22 attempts in the season opener. Last week the Jimmies reached 151 yards on the ground, but it took them 48 tries to get there. So far this season, Concordia is allowing just 2.5 yards per rush. The Bulldogs have typically been stout against the run. Since Patrick Daberkow has been either the defensive coordinator or head coach (nine seasons), Concordia has ranked no lower than 44th nationally in rush defense. During that stretch, the top run defense was the 2011 unit that allowed 116.5 rushing yards per game and 3.2 per carry. That particular defense was led by star linebacker Jerrod Fleming.
Concordia NAIA national ranks vs. run
2018 – 9th (86.0)
2017 – 40th (158.9)
2016 – 28th (145.8)
2015 – 24th (135.6)
2014 – 44th (171.6)
2013 – 31st (150.7)
2012 – 38th (154.7)
2011 – 27th (116.5)
2010 – 42nd (148.0)
Punt advantage
The advantage Concordia had in the punting game proved critical in last week’s outcome. Two bad snaps on Jamestown punt attempts directly led to nine Bulldog points. One of the mishaps resulted in a safety and the other gave Concordia the football at the Jimmie 14-yard line. Ryan Durdon raced to the end zone on the next play. On the flip side, sophomore Brady Fitzke enjoyed another solid punting performance. He booted the ball seven times for an average of 38.7 yards. He landed two of his punts inside the 20. Of Fitzke’s 14 punts so far this season, three of them have covered more than 50 yards. Fitzke’s season average of 41.2 yards per punt puts him 15th on the NAIA national leaderboard. The program has had success using full-time starters as punters in recent years. Two-time All-America Trey Barnes got most of his attention for what he did on defense, but he also averaged 40.7 yards per punt his senior season.
Offense built around Durdon
It's no secret that the Bulldog offense is built around Ryan Durdon, who already has four 200-yard rushing performances in his 12 career games as a running back. Jamestown focused its efforts on limiting Durdon, who was kept in check throughout the first half. The native of Decatur, Texas, then got loose for rushes of 24 and 14 yards in the second half. He’s now carried the ball 57 times for 303 yards and four touchdowns while running behind a rebuilt offensive line. Now Durdon gets set to go up against a Midland rush defense that he burned for a school record-tying 266 yards last season. Midland has surrendered 153.3 rushing yards per game through its first three contests.
Daberkow by the numbers
Throughout much of the history of the Concordia football program, which dates back to 1925, it’s been fair to say that its first-year head coaches have typically taken on rebuilding tasks. However, Patrick Daberkow rose to the head coaching position with a team that last season had talented seniors such as Jared Garcia, D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby. Such star players have helped Daberkow to an 8-4 record in his first 12 games as the head ball coach. It marks the second best 12-game start to a head coaching tenure in program history. John Seevers, the head coach from 1970 through 1976, started out 9-3 in his first 12 games. Seevers guided the 1970 squad to an 8-1 record and NIAC championship. It’s a small sample, but Daberkow’s .667 win percentage ranks No. 1 among the 10 head coaches in Bulldog football history.
Series vs. Midland
The series with Midland is one of the oldest rivalries in program history. The two sides first met in 1944 in what was six-man football at the time due to man power needs of World War II. The result that year was a 40-0 Concordia victory. The Bulldogs and Warriors did not play each other again until 1952. Then in 1957, they began playing annually up to the present day. Midland leads the all-time series (35-27-1), but Concordia has been chipping away with wins in each of the past six games. Last year’s meeting turned into The Ryan Durdon Game. Durdon’s 266 rushing yards and four touchdowns paved the way for a 44-14 Bulldog blowout victory. Midland’s most recent win in the series was a 29-3 decision in Fremont in 2011. The Warriors will be at Bulldog Stadium for the third year in a row.
Last six games vs. Midland
2017 – W, 44-14 (Seward)
2016 – W, 20-14 (Seward)
2015 – W, 41-38 | OT (Fremont)
2014 – W, 35-28 (Seward)
2013 – W, 35-14 (Fremont)
2012 – W, 23-14 (Seward)
Home cooking
While Concordia saw its 10-game home win streak snapped by Morningside in the final game of 2017, it got back to protecting its home turf in game No. 1 versus Buena Vista. Winners of 11 of their last 12 at home, the Bulldogs went 5-0 at home in 2016 and then 4-1 inside Bulldog Stadium in 2017. Included in that 12-game stretch are two home victories over Midland.
Last 12 home games
9/8/18 | W, 27-20 | Buena Vista
11/11/17 | L, 0-35 | No. 3 Morningside
10/28/17 | W, 38-16 | Dakota Wesleyan
10/14/17 | W, 44-14 | Midland
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | No. 22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Scouting Midland
Statistically, Midland has been impressive offensively and is currently ranked 13th nationally in both scoring offense and total offense. Quarterback Payton Nelson is a dual threat who has thrown for 719 yards and has run for 210. In last season’s trip to Seward, Nelson relieved Garry Cannon, who threw a pair of picks. Midland quarterbacks were intercepted three times by D’Mauria Martin in that contest. Head coach Jeff Jamrog, now in his third season with the Warriors, is looking take the next step after completing his first two seasons with exactly six wins both years. The 6-5 record in 2016 was impressive considering the team’s 1-10 mark the year prior to Jamrog’s arrival. In its stiffest challenge so far this season, Midland trailed just 14-13 at the half at No. 5 Northwestern. The game got away from the Warriors in the third quarter that saw the Red Raiders outscore them, 21-0. Concordia will have to contain Nelson and a passing game featuring big play pass catchers Darrin Gentry and Jordan Jackson, who both are averaging more than 20 yards per reception. On the other side, the question mark is how Johan Williams (five sacks) and the Warrior defense will hold up against star back Ryan Durdon.
SEWARD, Neb. – It’s homecoming week on the Concordia University campus. That means the Bulldogs will be back at home this Saturday to welcome rival Midland to Bulldog Stadium. Second-year head coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad has found ways to pull out two games that have both gone down the wire. Now Concordia tries to keep it going against a Warrior program it has beaten six-straight times.
A monster performance by sophomore linebacker Lane Napier, the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week, allowed the Bulldogs to escape North Dakota with a 16-13 win last week despite a 347-144 disadvantage in total yards. For the second week in a row, a fourth-quarter touchdown rush by Ryan Durdon supplied the deciding points. Durdon found the end zone twice, but was limited to 53 rushing yards on 15 carries by the Jimmies.
Meanwhile, Midland was dealt its first loss last week in 49-20 decision at fifth-ranked Northwestern. The Warriors opened up their season with nonconference victories over MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) and Mayville State University (N.D.). The 2-0 start allowed head coach Jeff Jamrog’s squad to crack the top 25 poll at No. 24. Midland dropped into the receiving votes category this week on the heels of last week’s defeat.
GAME INFO
Midland (2-1, 0-1) at Concordia (2-0, 1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 22 | 1 p.m.
Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentators: Tyler Cavalli and Roger Fitzke
Live Stats: Stretch Internet
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Team Statistics
*National rank out of 90 NAIA football programs in parentheses
Concordia
Offensive PPG: 20.5 (66th)
Defensive PPG: 16.5 (19th)
Total Offense: 227.0 (87th)
Pass Offense: 69.5 (88th)
Rush Offense: 157.5 (45th)
Total Defense: 325.5 (31st)
Pass Defense: 239.5 (62nd)
Rush Defense: 86.0 (9th)
Turnover +/-: 0 (T-44th)
Midland
Offensive PPG: 41.7 (T-13th)
Defensive PPG: 32.3 (60th)
Total Offense: 483.7 (T-13th)
Pass Offense: 256.7 (24th)
Rush Offense: 227.0 (15th)
Total Defense: 420.3 (64th)
Pass Defense: 267.0 (76th)
Rush Defense: 153.3 (44th)
Turnover +/-: -1 (T-53rd)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Concordia
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow (8-4, 2nd season)
Passing: Jake Kemp – 18/31 (.581), 138 yards, td, 2 int; rushing td
Rushing: Ryan Durdon – 57 rushes, 303 yards, 5.3 avg, 4 td
Receiving: Vincent Beasley – 4 catches, 50 yards, 12.5 avg
Defense: Lane Napier – 30 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 2 sacks
Midland
Head Coach: Jeff Jamrog (14-10, 3rd season)
Passing: Payton Nelson – 51/94 (.543), 719 yards, 8 td, 2 int; rushing: 31 att, 210 yards, 6.8 avg, td
Rushing: Lukas Vopnford – 31 rushes, 155 yards, 5.0 avg, 4 td; 11 catches, 49 yards, td
Receiving: Jordan Jackson – 9 catches, 187 yards, 20.8 avg, 5 td
Defense: Johan Williams – 18 tackles, 6.5 tfl, 5 sacks
SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Concordia (2-0, 1-0)
9/8 vs. Buena Vista, W, 27-20
9/15 at Jamestown, 1 p.m.
9/22 vs. Midland, 1 p.m.
9/29 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
10/6 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
10/13 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
10/20 vs. Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/27 at (3) Morningside, 1 p.m.
11/3 vs. (7) Northwestern, 1 p.m.
11/10 at Doane, 1 p.m.
Midland (2-1, 0-1)
8/25 vs. MidAmerica Nazarene, W, 49-28
9/1 vs. Mayville State, W, 56-20
9/15 at (5) Northwestern, L, 20-49
9/22 at Concordia, 1 p.m.
9/29 vs. Jamestown, 1 p.m.
10/6 vs. (2) Morningside, 1 p.m.
10/13 at Hastings, 1 p.m.
10/20 vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
10/27 at Doane, 1 p.m.
11/3 at Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
11/10 at Dordt, 1 p.m.
In the rankings
Concordia cracked the NAIA top 25 national poll last Nov. 6 but then dropped out after falling in the 2017 finale. The Bulldogs did not receive any votes in the preseason national poll this preseason or in the first two regular-season polls. They were picked fourth among the 10 GPAC football schools by both the coaches and media. Massey Ratings currently lists Concordia as the 40th ranked team nationally in the NAIA.
Midland jumped into the top 25 at No. 24 last week before falling out this week. The Warriors continue to receive votes. In the GPAC preseason polls, Midland was picked to finish third by both the coaches and the media. Massey Ratings has the Warriors ranked 36th in the NAIA.
Concordia
GPAC preseason: 4th (coaches); 4th (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 17): not ranked
Massey Ratings: 40th
Midland
GPAC preseason: 3rd (coaches); 3rd (media)
NAIA coaches’ poll (Sept. 17): receiving votes
Massey Ratings: 36th
Napier tabbed GPAC Defensive Player of the Week
Lane Napier has a nose for the football. His performance at inside linebacker was instrumental in Concordia grinding out a win last week. On Monday he was recognized by the conference as the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week after he racked up 21 tackles, 2.5 stops for loss and a sack at Jamestown. The tackle total was a career high for the David City, Neb., native. In 12 career games, Napier has already accumulated 127 tackles. His average of 15.0 tackles per game currently leads all NAIA players. After making 97 stops as a freshman, Napier could be poised to become the program’s sixth player in the GPAC era (2000-present) to notch 100 tackles in a season. He may even challenge Erik DeHaven’s school GPAC era record of 110 tackles in a season.
Most tackles in a season, GPAC era
1. Erik DeHaven (2001) – 110
2. Michael Hedlund (2016) – 107
3. Michael Hedlund (2015) – 105
3. Josh Conrad (2000) – 105
5. Sean Stewart (2001) – 102
6. Troy Schlueter (2000) – 100
7. Lane Napier (2017) – 97
Against the rush
Napier is the headliner for a defense that has gotten off to a good start stopping the run. Buena Vista University (Iowa) managed only 21 rushing yards on 22 attempts in the season opener. Last week the Jimmies reached 151 yards on the ground, but it took them 48 tries to get there. So far this season, Concordia is allowing just 2.5 yards per rush. The Bulldogs have typically been stout against the run. Since Patrick Daberkow has been either the defensive coordinator or head coach (nine seasons), Concordia has ranked no lower than 44th nationally in rush defense. During that stretch, the top run defense was the 2011 unit that allowed 116.5 rushing yards per game and 3.2 per carry. That particular defense was led by star linebacker Jerrod Fleming.
Concordia NAIA national ranks vs. run
2018 – 9th (86.0)
2017 – 40th (158.9)
2016 – 28th (145.8)
2015 – 24th (135.6)
2014 – 44th (171.6)
2013 – 31st (150.7)
2012 – 38th (154.7)
2011 – 27th (116.5)
2010 – 42nd (148.0)
Punt advantage
The advantage Concordia had in the punting game proved critical in last week’s outcome. Two bad snaps on Jamestown punt attempts directly led to nine Bulldog points. One of the mishaps resulted in a safety and the other gave Concordia the football at the Jimmie 14-yard line. Ryan Durdon raced to the end zone on the next play. On the flip side, sophomore Brady Fitzke enjoyed another solid punting performance. He booted the ball seven times for an average of 38.7 yards. He landed two of his punts inside the 20. Of Fitzke’s 14 punts so far this season, three of them have covered more than 50 yards. Fitzke’s season average of 41.2 yards per punt puts him 15th on the NAIA national leaderboard. The program has had success using full-time starters as punters in recent years. Two-time All-America Trey Barnes got most of his attention for what he did on defense, but he also averaged 40.7 yards per punt his senior season.
Offense built around Durdon
It's no secret that the Bulldog offense is built around Ryan Durdon, who already has four 200-yard rushing performances in his 12 career games as a running back. Jamestown focused its efforts on limiting Durdon, who was kept in check throughout the first half. The native of Decatur, Texas, then got loose for rushes of 24 and 14 yards in the second half. He’s now carried the ball 57 times for 303 yards and four touchdowns while running behind a rebuilt offensive line. Now Durdon gets set to go up against a Midland rush defense that he burned for a school record-tying 266 yards last season. Midland has surrendered 153.3 rushing yards per game through its first three contests.
Daberkow by the numbers
Throughout much of the history of the Concordia football program, which dates back to 1925, it’s been fair to say that its first-year head coaches have typically taken on rebuilding tasks. However, Patrick Daberkow rose to the head coaching position with a team that last season had talented seniors such as Jared Garcia, D’Mauria Martin and Tarence Roby. Such star players have helped Daberkow to an 8-4 record in his first 12 games as the head ball coach. It marks the second best 12-game start to a head coaching tenure in program history. John Seevers, the head coach from 1970 through 1976, started out 9-3 in his first 12 games. Seevers guided the 1970 squad to an 8-1 record and NIAC championship. It’s a small sample, but Daberkow’s .667 win percentage ranks No. 1 among the 10 head coaches in Bulldog football history.
Series vs. Midland
The series with Midland is one of the oldest rivalries in program history. The two sides first met in 1944 in what was six-man football at the time due to man power needs of World War II. The result that year was a 40-0 Concordia victory. The Bulldogs and Warriors did not play each other again until 1952. Then in 1957, they began playing annually up to the present day. Midland leads the all-time series (35-27-1), but Concordia has been chipping away with wins in each of the past six games. Last year’s meeting turned into The Ryan Durdon Game. Durdon’s 266 rushing yards and four touchdowns paved the way for a 44-14 Bulldog blowout victory. Midland’s most recent win in the series was a 29-3 decision in Fremont in 2011. The Warriors will be at Bulldog Stadium for the third year in a row.
Last six games vs. Midland
2017 – W, 44-14 (Seward)
2016 – W, 20-14 (Seward)
2015 – W, 41-38 | OT (Fremont)
2014 – W, 35-28 (Seward)
2013 – W, 35-14 (Fremont)
2012 – W, 23-14 (Seward)
Home cooking
While Concordia saw its 10-game home win streak snapped by Morningside in the final game of 2017, it got back to protecting its home turf in game No. 1 versus Buena Vista. Winners of 11 of their last 12 at home, the Bulldogs went 5-0 at home in 2016 and then 4-1 inside Bulldog Stadium in 2017. Included in that 12-game stretch are two home victories over Midland.
Last 12 home games
9/8/18 | W, 27-20 | Buena Vista
11/11/17 | L, 0-35 | No. 3 Morningside
10/28/17 | W, 38-16 | Dakota Wesleyan
10/14/17 | W, 44-14 | Midland
9/23/17 | W, 29-18 | No. 7 Doane
9/9/17 | W, 24-6 | Ottawa (Kan.)
11/12/16 | W, 31-28 | Hastings
10/22/16 | W, 20-14 | No. 22 Midland
10/8/16 | W, 56-0 | Briar Cliff
9/17/16 | W, 9-7 | Northwestern
9/3/16 | W, 23-7 | Mary (Kan.)
11/14/15 | W, 48-0 | Briar Cliff
Scouting Midland
Statistically, Midland has been impressive offensively and is currently ranked 13th nationally in both scoring offense and total offense. Quarterback Payton Nelson is a dual threat who has thrown for 719 yards and has run for 210. In last season’s trip to Seward, Nelson relieved Garry Cannon, who threw a pair of picks. Midland quarterbacks were intercepted three times by D’Mauria Martin in that contest. Head coach Jeff Jamrog, now in his third season with the Warriors, is looking take the next step after completing his first two seasons with exactly six wins both years. The 6-5 record in 2016 was impressive considering the team’s 1-10 mark the year prior to Jamrog’s arrival. In its stiffest challenge so far this season, Midland trailed just 14-13 at the half at No. 5 Northwestern. The game got away from the Warriors in the third quarter that saw the Red Raiders outscore them, 21-0. Concordia will have to contain Nelson and a passing game featuring big play pass catchers Darrin Gentry and Jordan Jackson, who both are averaging more than 20 yards per reception. On the other side, the question mark is how Johan Williams (five sacks) and the Warrior defense will hold up against star back Ryan Durdon.