Morningside thumps Northwestern 34-7; Briar Cliff & Dordt fall - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

No. 8 Morningside used two first half Northwestern turnovers to open up a 27-0 halftime lead and never looked back, dropping the 10th ranked Red Raiders 34-7 Saturday night at Olsen Stadium.

A defensive battle in the first quarter, Mustangs freshman kicker Ty Littzen provided all the scoring, with field goals from 51 and 45 yards to give Morningside a 6-0 lead.

After Red Raider quarterback Davis Bloemendaal fumbled the ball to open the second quarter, Morningside wasted little time to take advantage.

Joel Nixon hooked up with Joel McCabe on a 32-yard strike to put the Mustangs up 13-0.

The Mustangs would strike again 10 minutes later, capping off a 17-play, 88 yard drive with a 7 yard touchdown run by Fred Jones to give M'side a 20-0 advantage.

With less than two minutes to play in the half, Red Raider running back Brandon Smith coughed up the ball at the 29 yard line.

Nixon and the 8th ranked Mustangs would make good on their opportunity.  Going for it on fourth and goal, the first year quarterback connected with Tyler Sinsabugh to open up a 27-0 halftime lead.

Northwestern finally hit paydirt midway through the fourth quarter on a one yard touchdown run by Theo Bartman to make it a 20-point ball game.

But, Nixon and Northwestern answered with a six play, 46-yard touchdown drive to push the lead back out to 34-7.