Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Game No. 8 - Northwest Missouri State (6-1) at Lindenwood (3-4)
Sat., Oct. 20 | 1 p.m. | St. Charles, Mo. | Harlen C. Hunter Stadium (9,450)

Live Stream ($ - Subscription) - MIAA Network
Live Audio - KXCV

Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Analyst: Matt Gaarder
Sideline: Jenny James

Live Stats - www.LindenwoodLions.com
Tickets - www.LindenwoodLions.com

THIS WEEK'S GAME
The Northwest Missouri State University football team will travel to St. Charles, Missouri, to take on the Lindenwood University Lions. The Bearcats and Lions will kickoff at 1 p.m. Saturday at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. LIONS
Northwest is 4-0 all-time vs. Lindenwood. In the four matchups, Northwest has outscored Lindenwood, 186-32.

LAST TIME AROUND
The Bearcats posted a 19-0 shutout victory over Lindenwood at Bearcat Stadium Oct. 21, 2017. Northwest outgained Lindenwood, 403-176. The Bearcats built a 19-0 advantage in the opening 30 minutes. Wide receiver Shane Williams had nine catches for 134 yards and earned the Don Black Award.

THE COACHES
Northwest is led by second-year head coach Rich Wright. Wright was named head coach at Northwest Missouri on Dec. 19, 2016. Wright posted a 15-4 mark for the Bearcats in 2017. Wright arrived at Northwest in 2004 as the defensive line coach and coordinator of special teams. In 2011, Wright was named defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. A native of Hamilton, N.Y., Wright earned his bachelor's degree at Dana College in 1995 and his master's at Northwest in 1996.
    Jed Stugart is in his second season as the Lindenwood football head coach in 2018. In his first season at Lindenwood, Stugart led the Lions to their best season in five years. Lindenwood won four games, including a road victory at Pittsburg State, one of the toughest places to play in the MIAA. Stugart has been a head coach for 11 seasons. Stugart was the head football coach at Sioux Falls from 2010-16, and turned the program into one of the top ones in NCAA Division II. In seven seasons, he had a record of 65-17, including a 32-5 mark over the last three years.
He was the head coach at former Lindenwood rival MidAmerica Nazarene from 2006 to 2008. He had a record of 26-7 with MidAmerica Nazarene, along with two postseason appearances and the 2008 HAAC Championship. Stugart was once named the Region 3 Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

TOPS IN THE NATION
IN SCORING DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense by giving up only 10.6 points per game. The Bearcats have led the nation in scoring defense in each of the previous three seasons. Northwest gave up 12.3 ppg in 2015, 12.0 ppg in 2016 and 9.3 ppg in 2017.
    Northwest is tied for the top spot in fewest touchdowns allowed in 2018 with Ouachita Baptist and Minnesota-Duluth -- all three have allowed only nine touchdowns.

RUSHING TOUCHDOWN STREAK ENDS
Northwest gave up two rushing scores against Nebraska-Kearney snapping a streak of 19 straight games without allowing a rushing touchdown.
    Northwest had not allowed a rushing touchdown since Dec. 10, 2016 in the NCAA semifinal playoff matchup against Ferris State.
    Northwest was the only NCAA school (FBS, FCS, II, III) to not allow a rushing touchdown in 2017.
    Northwest's offense scored 38 rushing touchdowns of its own during the defensive streak of allowing no rushing scores.

SOME DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
The Northwest defense has not allowed an individual runner to surpass 100 yards in the last 48 games. That came in the 2014 NCAA playoff game against Minnesota Duluth (Drew Bauer -  131). In fact, the last MIAA runner to go for more than 100 yards on the Bearcats was Missouri Southern's Chris Barnwell (104) back on Oct. 26, 2013, a span of 62 games.

WRIGHT SCORES
Redshirt freshman quarterback Braden Wright ranks No. 1 in the nation among freshmen for points responsible for with 120 this year.
    Wright ranks second among all NCAA Division II freshmen in rushing touchdowns with seven.
    Notre Dame (Ohio) freshman running back Jaleel McLaughlin has 12 rushing touchdowns to lead the nation among first-year players.

QB RUSHING LEADERS
Braden Wright's seven rushing scores rank T-No. 3 in the nation in rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks.
    Wright's seven rushing touchdowns trails only Jayru Campbell (Ferris State), who has 11 touchdowns, and Jake Sullivan (South Dakota Mines), who has eight scores.

SPREADING IT AROUND
Quarterback Braden Wright has connected with seven different Bearcats for passing scores in 2018.
    Shawn Bane Jr. (4), Chase White (3), Jaime Taylor (2), Marqus Andrews (1), Alec Tatum (1), Josh Caldwell (1) and LaTroy Harper (1) have all caught touchdowns passes from Wright this season.

NALLY NABS TWO PICKS
Junior safety Trent Nally cemented a 27-13 homecoming win over Nebraska-Kearney with two interceptions in the final 6:26 of the fourth quarter.
    With Northwest leading 24-13, Nally intercepted a Alex McGinnis 3rd-and-5 pass at the UNK 36. Nally picked off his second interception at the Northwest 18-yard line with 2:35 left to clinch the victory.
    He is the first Bearcat to intercept two passes in a game this season. The last Northwest player to pick off two passes in a game was Chance Hall in the 2017 NCAA Div. II playoff game at Ashland.

RICHARDS HONORED AS DON BLACK AWARD WINNER
Senior safety Jack Richards was honored as the Don Black Award winner in Saturday's homecoming victory over Nebraska-Kearney. Richards led the Bearcat defense with 12 tackles in the triumph.
    Richards leads the squad in total tackles this season with 52.

IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in red zone defense (57.1 percent). Opponents have had 14 opportunities in the red zone and have scored eight times (two rush TDs, three pass TDs, three FGs).
    Northwest ranks No. 8 in rushing defense (84.6 yards/game).

SAMPSON LOCKS IN THE WIN
Sophomore placekicker Parker Sampson connected on a pair of fourth-quarter field goals to ensure a 27-13 Northwest win over Nebraska-Kearney.
    Sampson's 21-yard field goal with 7:15 left in the fourth quarter gave Northwest a two-score lead over UNK at 24-13.
    Sampson put the finishing touches on the game's scoring with a 39-yard field goal with 3:06 left for the 27-13 triumph. Sampson also contributed by making all three extra points in the first quarter as Northwest built a 21-0 lead.

WRIGHT SPARKS VICTORY OVER NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Quarterback Braden Wright accounted for 232 yards of total offense and led Northwest to a 27-13 victory over Nebraska-Kearney.
    With Northwest facing a 3rd-and-18 in its first possession of the game, Wright completed a 50-yard pass to Shawn Bane Jr. to keep the drive alive. Four plays later, Wright connected with tight end Marqus Andrews for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 12:06 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
    Wright rushed for his team-leading seventh touchdown on Northwest's next drive on a 1-yard score to give the Bearcats a 14-0 lead.
    Wright's 24-yard scramble in the fourth quarter set up a 21-yard field goal by Parker Sampson that gave Northwest a two-score lead at 24-13 with 7:15 left in the game.

FRESHMAN QB TERRITORY
Braden Wright is entering rare territory for Bearcat freshmen quarterbacks.
    The last Northwest freshman signal caller to pass for more than 1,000 yards and 10-plus touchdowns in a season came in the 2004 campaign when Josh Mathews relieved an injured Josh Lamberson in the eighth game of the season. Mathews passed for 1,263 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading Northwest to the quarterfinals of the 2004 NCAA Div. II playoffs.
    Wright has passed for 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns through the first seven games of the 2018 season. Wright has also rushed for 360 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018.

CHASE CAN SCORE
Senior Chase White has caught three passes this season and all three have gone for touchdowns. White's three catches have gone for 37 yards.
    White caught a 14-yard touchdown reception at Washburn. He also caught a 19-yard touchdown pass against Missouri Southern. White added his third catch and score on a 4-yard strike from Braden Wright at Pittsburg State.

HARPER'S VERSATILITY
LaTroy Harper is showing his versatility as a true freshman.
    Two weeks ago, Harper caught his first touchdown pass, a 13-yard score, in a 31-7 win at Pittsburg State.
    This past weekend he threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Brody McMcMahon in a 27-13 victory over Nebraska-Kearney.

NCAA ACTIVE CAREER LEADER
Senior running back Josh Caldwell has rushed for 3,251 career rushing yards and ranks No. 6 among all active NCAA Division II players. Caldwell has rushed for 28 career touchdowns.

BANE AMONG LEADERS
Shawn Bane Jr. ranks No. 5 among active NCAA Div. II players in receiving yards. Bane has posted 3,079 yards in 42 career games. Bane is tied for No. 11 on the NCAA active career leaders touchdown receptions list with 28.
    Bane ranks No. 5 among active players in all-purpose yards with 4,811.

BANE LOOKS TO MOVE UP THE CHARTS
Senior wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (Sarasota, Fla.) is looking to move up the career receiving charts in 2018.
    Bane ranks No. 8 in Bearcat history with 185 receptions.
    He became only the eighth Northwest receiver to surpass 3,000 career yards. Bane has tallied 3,023 receiving yards, which ranks No. 6 on the all-time Northwest receiving yards chart.
    His 28 career touchdown receptions rank No. 5 in program history. Bane found the end zone 19 times in his first two seasons, but was limited to six scores in 2017 while still earning second-team All-MIAA honors.

Career Pass Receptions
1.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    289
2.    Kendall Wright (2005-2008)    243
3.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        235
4.    Jake Soy (2008-2011)        222
5.    Andre Rector (2002-2005)    213
6.    Dan Anderson (1982-1985)    198
7.    Steve Hansley (1983-1985)    196
8.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pr.)    189
9.    Tyler Shaw (2009-2012)        166
10.    Jordan Simmons (2009-2012)    162

Career Receiving Yards
1.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    4,497
2.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        3,890
3.    Jake Soy (2008-2011)        3,687
4.    Kendall Wright (2005-2008)    3,253
5.    Steve Hansley (1983-1985)    3,118
6.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pr.)    3,079
7.    Andre Rector (2002-2005)    3,049
8.    Tyler Shaw (2009-2012)        3,021
9.    Dan Anderson (1982-1985)    2,651
10.    Mike Peterson (2004-2007)    1,987

Career Touchdown Receptions
1.    Jake Soy (2008-2011)        45
2.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    38
3.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        37
4.    Tyler Shaw (2009-2012)        32
5.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pr.)    28
6.    Steve Hansley (1983-1985)    26
7.    Kendall Wright (2005-2008)    21
8.    Wade Hanson (1994-1997)    19
9.    Andre Rector (2002-2005)    18
10.    Mike Peterson (2004-2007)    17

Career Punt Returns
1.    Kendall Wright (2005-2008)    115
2.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    112
3.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        104
4.    Jason Melnick (1994-1996)    90
5.    Joe Spinello (1965-1968)    73
6.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pres.)    68
7.    Jordan Simmons (2009-2012)    66
8.    Heath Parker (1988-1990)    65
9.    Joe Wingate (1970-1973)    62
10.    Wayne Allen (1978)        58

Career Punt Return Yards
1.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    1,494
2.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        1,490
3.    Kendall Wright (2005-2008)    1,233
4.    Joe Spinello (1965-1968)    963
5.    Jordan Simmons (2009-2012)    825
6.    Jason Melnick (1994-1996)    782
7.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pres.)    749
8.    Jeff Linden (1981-1984)    634
9.    Joe Wingate (1970-1973)    561
10.    Heath Parker (1988-1990)    406

100 WINS THIS DECADE
Northwest is the only NCAA Div. II school to have captured 100 wins in this decade.
    The Bearcats have posted a record of 103-14 since the start of the 2010 season.
    Minnesota-Duluth ranks second in Div. II with 95 wins since the start of 2010.

HOMETOWN LOCKDOWN
In its last nine home games, Northwest has allowed 42 total points (4.67 points per game). Northwest has pitched five shutouts in that eight-game stretch.
    Northwest has allowed four touchdowns to be scored over the last 36 quarters at Bearcat Stadium.

Last 9 Home Games
W, 27-13 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
W, 41-0 vs. Emporia State
W, 63-0 vs. Missouri Southern
W, 28-6 vs. Missouri Western
L, 13-12 vs. Fort Hays State
W, 19-0 vs. Lindenwood
W, 17-10 vs. Central Oklahoma
W, 63-0 vs. Missouri Southern
W, 34-0 vs. Emporia State

4TH QUARTER EDGE
If it comes down to a fourth-quarter game, Northwest has the scoring edge. The Bearcats are out-scoring the opposition in the fourth, 62-20.

7 SHUTOUTS UNDER WRIGHT
Northwest has recorded seven shutouts under the direction of head coach Rich Wright.
    The Bearcats posted five shutouts in 2017 and have added two more in 2018.

TWO GRADUATES ON THE FIELD
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame released a list of 1,200 student-athletes who have already earned their undergraduate degrees and will be playing college football this fall while pursuing second diplomas. Northwest Missouri State has a pair of graduates playing this year in Michael Sorfonden (Harlan, Iowa) and Josh Caldwell (Lee's Summit, Mo.).
    "The National Football Foundation takes great pride in its role as a leading voice in the promotion of the scholar-athlete," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "And highlighting the 1,200 student-athletes who have not only earned their undergraduate degrees but are now pursuing additional diplomas sends a powerful message about the doors that college football opens. This list allows us to showcase those individuals who have truly taken full advantage of the opportunities created by college football."
    The NFF compiled the list with the help of athletics directors, faculty athletics representatives and sports information directors from all divisions who identified the players on their 2018 fall rosters who have already earned their undergraduate degrees. A total of 235 schools responded, creating the list of 1,200 student-athletes who are slated to play this year while pursuing additional diplomas.

PROGRAM OF THE DECADE
Northwest is the winningest NCAA Div. II program of this decade from 2010-2017. Northwest is 97-13 for an .882 winning percentage since 2010. The Bearcats have been ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Div. II Top 25 poll 38 times since the start of the 2010 season.

By Wins (Since 2010)
1.    Northwest Missouri State    97
2.    Minnesota-Duluth    88
3.    Shepherd    84
    Colorado State-Pueblo    84
    Minnesota State, Mankato    84

By Winning Percentage (Since 2010)
1.    Northwest Missouri State    .882 (97-13)
2.    Shepherd    .866 (84-13)
    Colorado State-Pueblo    .866 (84-13)
4.    Minnesota-Duluth    .846 (88-16)
5.    Minnesota State, Mankato    .832 (84-17)

GPA DECALS
Every Northwest football player with a 3.0 or higher grade point average will have a special decal on their helmet with their GPA, major and advisor. Student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA will have a gold decal on their helmet.

HUGHES FAMILY FIELDHOUSE
Located just northwest of College Park and Bearcat Stadium on the Northwest campus, the Carl & Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse will serve as a host site for a wide range of University and community activities. The project represents the single largest public-private partnership in Northwest's 112-year history – and one of the largest public-private partnerships ever in the region.

The Hughes Fieldhouse features:
• 137,250 square-foot recreation and multipurpose facility featuring recreation and exhibition space,
• indoor flooring system,
• 90-yard practice turf,
• 300-meter indoor track,
• spectator seating and
• tiered meeting rooms
    The Hughes Fieldhouse is an estimated $20 million project with multiple financing sources, including commitments from the University, private support and community support. The facility is named for the Carl and Cheryl Hughes family, who committed a significant gift to the project through the Hughes Family Foundation.

VICIS ZERO1 HELMET
Northwest Missouri State will outfit the football team with VICIS ZERO1 Helmets.
    "The VICIS ZERO1 is a game-changer and is delivering a completely new approach to player safety," head coach Rich Wright said. "We've been extremely impressed with the research we've seen on the ZERO1, and we're excited to have our players wearing the helmet this year."
"Northwest Missouri State University is a powerhouse program, winning six NCAA Division II titles in the last two decades," VICIS CEO and co-founder Dave Marver said. "We're honored to protect them in their pursuit for number seven."
Ranked as the best helmet in the National Football League and surpassing all expectations of the NFL Players Association helmet performance tests, VICIS ZERO1 Helmets are currently equipping athletes on over 400 high school teams. Additionally, more than 110 professional and collegiate teams have committed to the ZERO1 Helmet coming into the 2018 season.
"Our team has worked hard to bring the ZERO1's breakthrough protective technology to players across the country," says Marver.
VICIS designs the ZERO1 with a unique structure compared to other helmets on the market. A deformable outer shell and columnar layer slows and reduces impact forces in a similar function to the bumper of a car. The helmet is also priced to be accessible to college and high school programs.

ALTHOFF NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR CAMPBELL TROPHY
Recognizing one of the most impressive groups of scholar-athletes in the history of college football, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) proudly announced today the 179 semifinalists, including Northwest Missouri State senior linebacker Ben Althoff, for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy®. The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. Fidelity Investments is a proud partner of the Campbell Trophy®.
     The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 31, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 60th NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 4, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 29th William V. Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
     Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
    Northwest Missouri State is represented by senior linebacker Ben Althoff (Palmyra, Missouri/Palmyra HS). Althoff carries a 3.87 grade point average with a double major in agronomy and agricultural business. Althoff led the Bearcats in tackles in 2017 for a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense, total defense and third-down conversion defense. In 2018, Althoff has helped Northwest to a 3-1 start and No. 17 national ranking in the AFCA Div. II Coaches Top 25. Althoff is a captain on this year's Bearcat football squad.
    Althoff has participated in a a local Maryville community spring yard clean up. He has volunteered at the courthouse for landscape work. He has served lunch at St. Gregory's Catholic School to students. He helped paint the hallways at Eugene Field Elementary Schools. He has served as a guest speaker at the 2018 Wilderness Camping and Retreat Center Sports Camps.