(Hastings, NE) – The Bronco football team lost their second consecutive home game of the season 41-7 on Saturday to Northwestern College, who led 34-0 at halftime. Hastings got a first down on the first play of the game, but fumbled on the next play to give Northwestern great field position. The Red Raiders scored on a 34-yard touchdown on the next play to take a 7-0 lead.
A Bronco three-and-out led to another possession for Northwestern, but the Broncos did hold them to a 26-yard field goal after a couple of stops in the red zone.
Northwestern got their second touchdown five minutes into the second quarter. After a punt from Hastings, Northwestern completed a 63-yard touchdown pass on the second play of their next drive.
Hastings turned it over on the first play of their next drive and Northwestern capitalized with a 23-yard touchdown run to make it 31-0.
The Broncos got their second first down of the half on their next possession, but a Northwestern sack led to a Bronco punt. Northwestern got a field goal on their next possession to lead 34-0.
Hastings brought in freshman Cassius Campbell at quarterback and he found junior Eli Nappe for three completions and a total of 61 yards to give the Broncos a chance at points before halftime, but a couple of sacks knocked them out of field goal range.
Northwestern scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half to make it 41-0. After the score, the Red Raiders would bring in their back-ups and Hastings would not allow another score.
Hastings would score their lone touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 3rd-and-7, 64-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Carson Kudlacek to junior Quaesean Hill, as Hill was able to beat his man on a brilliantly-timed deep ball to make it a 41-7 final.
Kudlacek finished the game 10-24 for 109 yards and a touchdown. Senior Tanner Schneiderheinz was the leading rusher with 15 yards on 5 carries. Hill’s 64 receiving yards and Nappe’s 61 receiving yards led the Broncos. Defensively, junior Jayden Roberts finished the game with 12 tackles, along with eight from juniors Marcus Dustin and Jake Lambert.
Hastings will be back at home next Saturday, September 14th against Briar Cliff. The game will start at 1pm at Lloyd Wilson Field.
