CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Head football coach Benjy Parker and Northwest have accepted an invitation to play in The 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl, marking the school's 12th all-time bowl appearance and fourth in the last six years. The Rangers will face No. 3 Iowa Western in the Feature Game at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3.

The Graphic Edge Bowl announced its matchups on Tuesday in conjunction with the NJCAA. The annual event, which is entering its 40th anniversary, began in 1978 when Coffeyville (Kan.) defeated Iowa Central, 35-13. 

This year's event will showcase two games at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Opening Game and the Feature Game.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Sales begin at 10 a.m. on game day at the UNI Dome West Entrance (no pre-sale tickets). Tickets are good for both the 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. game.

The Opening Game of this year's Graphic Edge Bowl will feature Ellsworth Community College (Iowa) against Northland Community and Technical College (Minn.), kicking off at 11 a.m.

The Feature Game includes two top-tier teams from 2017 in Northwest and Iowa Western. Both teams were in national title contention until the final week and will face off at 3:00 p.m. following the Opening Game.
 
No. 3 Iowa Western enters the game after finishing with a record of 10-1 and on a seven-game win streak.

Despite a great resume and holding the majority, five of nine total first-place votes in the human poll, the Reivers finished at No. 3. A two-point road loss to perennial KJCCC power Butler was the only blemish on what has been a remarkable season by the Reivers. Highlights include two road wins; a 70-21 road win over current No. 7 Independence and 41-14 over current No. 12 and defending national champion Garden City.

This is Iowa Western's third straight appearance in The Graphic Edge Bowl Feature Game. Last year, they fell to Holmes Community College, 28-21. 

No. 5 Northwest Mississippi enters the bowl game after a razor thin double-overtime loss to current No. 1 East Mississippi in the MACJC Championship — a high-scoring game that East Mississippi won 67-66 after electing to go for a winner-takes-all two-point conversion.

The Rangers have a tremendous resume as well this season, including an impressive 61-38 win over East Mississippi in early October. The Rangers gave then No. 3 Holmes their first loss of the season back on Sept. 28th in an away contest, 33-13. The semifinals of the MACJC playoffs, Northwest Mississippi handled current No. 13 Hinds, 27-13. The only other loss this season for the Rangers came against No. 11 Itawamba.

Northwest Mississippi comes to The Graphic Edge Bowl as the second MACJC team to make an appearance (Holmes Community College in 2016). The Rangers are 5-5-1 all-time in bowl games, with recent wins in the 2012 Brazos Valley Bowl and 2015 Mississippi Bowl.

For full details, media credential application and more please visit www.thegraphicedgebowl.com.

Game Info
Opening Game | Ellsworth vs. Northland | 11:00 AM
Feature Game | Iowa Western vs. Northwest Mississippi | 3:00 PM
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students. Available at the door. 
Click HERE for live video. Live stats available HERE.

*portions of this story provided by Dan Haugo, ICCAC Assistant Commissioner/SID