Bub Korver's Red Raiders: Iowa Time Machine December 1, 1973

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On December 1, 1973, a small college from Orange City, Iowa, stormed onto the national stage when coach Larry “Bub” Korver and the Northwestern Red Raiders captured the program’s first NAIA Division II football championship.

Bub Korver’s 1973 team emerged from a foundation laid through years of tough schedules, disciplined practices, and steady postseason progress. The Red Raiders had already tasted the spotlight with a national runner‑up finish in 1972, so the return trip to the playoffs in 1973 felt like unfinished business. Throughout that season, Northwestern combined a rugged running game, an opportunistic defense, and meticulous attention to fundamentals, reflecting Korver’s coaching philosophy and calm sideline demeanor.

The first championship for Northwestern cemented the cornerstone of a well-laid foundation. In the decades that followed, the Red Raiders continued to make regular postseason appearances, adding more national titles and runner‑up finishes that kept the program in the upper tier of NAIA competition. Korver again led the Red Raiders to the NAIA national championship in 1983, and led the Red Raiders to a record of 212-77-6 over a long and decorated career.

Through the 2024 season, Northwestern has played in eight NAIA football national championship games and has won three. Northwestern claimed national titles in 1973, 1983, and 2022, while finishing as national runner‑up in 1972, 1979, 1984, 2020, and 2023. #Iowa #OTD #History #Football #CollegeFootball