Second Ranked Reivers Bully 'Dogs in Top 10 Clash to Open 2025

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Iowa Western football began the 2025 campaign with a 39–20 win over Georgia Military College on Saturday afternoon at Titan Stadium. The Reivers' combined efficiency in the red zone with a physical rushing attack to set the tone for the new season.

Redshirt sophomore running back Daniel Swinney highlighted the offensive effort, finding the end zone four times and keeping the chains moving throughout the contest. Iowa Western was perfect in the red zone, capitalizing with Swinney's four runs, a Jamari Ford reverse run and Malachi Marshall's first TD pass as a Reiver to receiver Jaivyn Moore to keep GMC at arm's length for the victory.

Defensively, the Reivers limited explosive plays and created enough stops to prevent the Bulldogs from mounting a comeback. The balance between offense and defense helped Iowa Western control the tempo from start to finish.

Saturday's game carried special significance beyond the field. Fans filled the stands wearing bright green "living donor" T-shirts in honor of Head Coach Scott Strohmeier's daughter, Emily, who passed away earlier this summer. The heartfelt tribute reflected the strength and support of the Reiver community as the Strohmeier family continues to heal from their loss.

The contest also marked the beginning of Coach Strohmeier's 20th season as a college head coach, as well as the 17th season of Reiver football. Iowa Western enters this year coming off four straight NJCAA National Championship Game appearances, with national titles in 2022 and 2023 cementing its place as one of the premier programs in the country.

After the game, Coach Strohmeier said he was pleased with the team's overall performance and noted that "all the mistakes we made are correctible," a mindset that will be crucial when the Reivers face No. 1 ranked Hutchinson on September 13th in Kansas.

The Reivers move to 1–0 and will now turn their focus to their first roadtrip of the season. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard, free of charge, on the Reiver Sports Network's Broadcast Booth Camera brought to you by Hy-Vee Stores. The game, with Jake Ryan, Russ Nelsen, Josh Odson and Tony Boone on the call can also be found on Iowa Western's 100,000-watt FM radio station, 89.7 The River and on the station's free app located in the app store on both Apple and Android devices.  The RSN Countdown to Kickoff begins at 11:30 AM from Gowans Stadium with kickoff coming approximately half an hour later.

A reminder that most Reiver games are FREE to watch and to listen to, a subscription IS NECESSARY to watch the video of this weekend's game on ESPN+.  Do not click any links outside of ESPN's official subscription log-in or the link provided on THIS website.  No credit card information or payment is necessary to listen to 89.7 The River OR to watch the broadcast booth camera for Saturday's contest.  Any links asking for that information are spam / phishing and will attempt to get you to enter your personal information, including your payment information.  DO NOT CLICK THOSE LINKS.