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By David Boyce  |  Northwest vs. Humboldt State  |  Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015  •  1 p.m.  |  Bearcat Stadium  |  Maryville, Mo.
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MARYVILLE, Mo. - After a week without a game, Northwest Missouri State football players headed to the film room 5 p.m. Sunday like any other week during the season.
 
Defensively, the Bearcats saw something on film from Humboldt State sophomore Ja'Quan Gardner that they haven't seen all season in the MIAA. Gardner is a running back who can control a game.
 
Gardner arrives at Bearcat Stadium 1 p.m. Saturday for the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs with 2,242 yards in 323 carries for a 6.9 average per carry and 25 rushing touchdowns.
 
"The big thing," Northwest coach Adam Dorrel said, "is to limit their back. It is going to be tough. He is the leading ground gainer in the country right now.
 
"We have to swarm the ball and get him out of his deep runs. You can't arm tackle because if you do that, he is going to break them. We have to get off blocks. They do such a good job blocking up front, but also on the perimeter."
 
In the first round of the playoffs, Gardner carried the ball 44 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns in the Humboldt State's 45-31 home victory over Augustana. Humboldt State comes into the game 10-1.
 
By going 11-0 during the regular season, Northwest earned the top seed in Super Regional Three and received a first-round bye and that suited the Bearcats well.
 
"It was very important for us," Northwest junior linebacker Jacob Vollstedt said. "There were a lot of nicks and injuries from the wear and tear of the season. Also, it helped us get a mental edge."
 
The Bearcats learned whom they were going to play last Saturday afternoon and entered this week like the others. Except, there was one major difference: It's the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.
 
For Northwest football, it is a special time of the season to play football. They have dinner together on Wednesday. They practiced Thursday morning. Some of the players are able to go home in the afternoon and have Thanksgiving dinner with their families.
 
But most of the players stay in Maryville and have Thanksgiving dinner at some of the coaches' homes.
 
It is a routine the Bearcats have enjoyed just about every season over the last decade. It didn't happen last year when Northwest lost in the first round.
 
"There is a real family atmosphere over the Thanksgiving break," Vollstedt said. "We were real disappointed last year that we couldn't spend it together. My first year playing, we were able to spend it together and it was special. You spend Wednesday together and most spend Thursday together if you can't travel home."
 
Dorrel said it is a special time for the Northwest football family.
 
"You don't ever take things for granted," Dorrel said. "Not having that opportunity last year was really hard, hard on the players, the coaches and me.
 
"Nothing is guaranteed moving forward. We have to really cherish our time together."
 
The Bearcats are doing everything possible to make sure the season extends beyond Saturday. They returned to practice on a soggy Friday and will most likely play in damp conditions on Saturday against a team they have never played.
 
Facing an unknown opponent is one element that makes NCAA Division II playoffs intriguing.
 
"It is more fun to prepare for a team you haven't played before," Vollstedt said. "There are different things they do that we don't see on a week to week basis. It is refreshing and keeps you more engaged."
 
One thing that is certain is the eight seniors on Northwest will make sure preparations for Saturday's game against Humboldt State is fun. It is what they have done all season.
 
"The seniors have done a good job of taking it week by week and making sure we enjoyed the little victories," Vollstedt said. "They bring an enthusiasm to practice that we haven't had here in a while."
 
The 2015 Bearcats are also excelling in the classroom. The team learned earlier this week that 32 players made the MIAA academic honor roll. To make it, a player needs a 3.00 GPA or higher through two semesters.
 
"It sends a strong message to the university, our faculty and to our alums that we are committed to doing things right, not only on the football field, but the classroom," Dorrel said. "That is not lip service. I am very proud of those guys."
 
The Bearcats know they face a tough test on Saturday, and they look forward to it.