Northwest Missouri State Athletics

Perseverance – steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success – that definition might as well include a picture of the 2009 Bearcat football team.  In four previous seasons, the Bearcats were one step away from the summit, only to come up a combined 19 points short of the ultimate prize each time. 
 
The road to a fifth straight title game would not be easy. Along with the past title game setbacks, the team was tested throughout the year against some of the nation’s best. Nine of the 15 opponents were nationally ranked, including four of the top five teams in the country.
 
The playoffs started by avenging their only loss of the season in a win over Abilene Christian at home.  Next up was a showdown at #1 Central Washington…a back and forth game that seemed destined for overtime after a Wildcat touchdown with 6 seconds left, only to see Tyler Roach block the tying extra point sending the Bearcats back home for a semifinal match-up with California (PA). After dominating the Vulcans it was back to the title game where a familiar foe, Grand Valley State, was standing in their way.  Northwest would jump out to an early 21-to-nothing first half lead on a cool day in Florence, Alabama. Unlike their two previous title game matchups with the Lakers, this time the Bearcats were too much to handle on their way to a 30-23 victory and the program’s third National Title.