By David Boyce | Northwest Missouri State at Lindenwood | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 1:30 p.m. | Harlen C. Hunter Stadium | St. Charles, Mo.
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MARYVILLE, Mo. - Before senior tight end Alex Visk stepped on the field two weeks ago for an away game at Central Oklahoma, he had a moment that will stick with Northwest Missouri State head football coach Adam Dorrel for a long time.

It had nothing to do with playing football, but everything to do with being a successful student-athlete at Northwest.

For a few weeks, Visk waited for an email that told him that he was accepted into medical school or he did not make it.

During that period, Visk knew one thing: if he failed this time, he would try again.

"I was ready for however long it took," Visk said. "I was fortunate it happened this year."

Visk received the email Sept. 27 before the kickoff at Central Oklahoma. He read the happy news that he was accepted into the KU School of Medicine.

"I was ecstatic," Visk said. "I called my family, friends and girlfriend. I went in and told Dylan Chadwick and my other close friends on the team. That moment was really special."

Dorrel witnessed the moment before the Bearcats went out and beat Central Oklahoma 36-13.

"I knew it had been grinding on him mentally," Dorrel said. "I can't imagine the stress. You work your whole life to try to do something and you are waiting to get an email back from people.

"When I saw him in Oklahoma, our kids were hugging him. He was emotional. That is one of the best rewards in coaching when you get to see stuff like that."

Football, though, still excites Visk. Like the rest of his teammates, he is looking forward to their first-ever trip to Lindwood for Saturday's game. Northwest, ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II, will try to protect its perfect 5-0 record.

"It is going to be fun, a new venue," Visk said. "Their record doesn't reflect the type of team they are. They play hard. We have to play hard. It is their homecoming. Hopefully, we can ruin it."

The Bearcats, trying to repeat as national champions, are the only undefeated team left in the MIAA and the target of every conference opponent. Northwest has won 20 straight games. Upcoming opponents want to be the team that hands the Bearcats their first loss since 2012.

"It is really tough," Visk said of staying on top. "It is such a mountaintop feeling and then to say we are at the bottom and got to go back to the top, restarting yourself, your mentality, it is tough to do. But once you get it going, it is the same process as last year."

Visk is savoring every step of the process. This is his last season playing football before the rigors of medical school sets in next year.

Last week Visk caught his first career touchdown pass in a 49-7 victory over Northeastern State. His 58-yard touchdown reception was the longest play of the game and gave the Bearcats a commanding 35-7 lead late in the third quarter.

"That was awesome, celebrating with all my teammates and finally getting into the end zone after a couple of years," Visk said. "It was a great moment."

Getting into the end zone for Visk was another sign of his perseverance to stick with it. He has battled through injuries throughout his career. He didn't see any action in his freshman year.

"He was hit by a car when he was here on his scooter," Dorrel said. "He was lucky to get out of that with just a few injuries."

Visk is the type of tight end who is solid in run blocking, but can also make plays in the passing game as he did last week.

"He is what we call a balanced tight end," Dorrel said. "He can run block and he is also a threat in the pass game. He can catch. He understands defenses and finding a window in the zone. He is a dual threat tight end. He has really worked hard to get there. His run blocking has improved immensely in the last two years."

What Visk has proved in his years at Northwest is he will work hard and find a way to be successful in the classroom and on the football field.

"It wasn't easy at first, juggling college classes, tough college classes to get into med school with football," Visk said. "Along the way I really figured how to time manage."

And that is allowing him to enjoy his final season playing football for the Bearcats.

"I have this mentality to make the most of it," Visk said. "I am enjoying my friendship with my teammates, the coaches and really soak everything in and make the most of this last run."