Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Game No. 8 - Northwest Missouri State (7-1) at Northeastern State (0-8)
Sat., Oct. 27 | 2 p.m. | Tahlequah, Okla. | Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium (8,300)

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

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

Live Stats - www.GoRiverHawksGo.com
Tickets - www.GoRiverHawksGo.com

THIS WEEK'S GAME
The Northwest Missouri State University football team will make the journey to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to match up against the Northeastern State University Riverhawks. The Bearcats and Riverhawks will kick at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium.

ALL-TIME VS. RIVERHAWKS
Northwest is 8-0 all-time vs. Northeastern State. In the eight games, the Bearcats have outscored the Riverhawks, 383-82.

LAST TIME AROUND
Northwest recorded a 42-14 win at Northeastern State when the teams met last season in Tahlequah on Oct. 14, 2017.
    The Bearcats gained 248 yards on the ground, while holding the Riverhawks to minus-22 yards rushing. Northwest also forced five turnovers and turned it into 21 points.
    Zach Martin passed for three scores and Jordan Thompson ran for two more as the Bearcats rolled to a road victory.

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 16-4 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.
    Rob Robinson is in his fifth season at the helm of the Riverhawk football program. Previous to Northeastern State, Robinson served as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State and Washburn. Robinson received a bachelor of arts degree in history from William Jewell College in 2000. He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter for the Cardinals at fullback. He was named the 1997 and '98 Special Teams Player of the Year and was an all-conference selection his junior season. He was named to the Player's Leadership Committee and to the All-Heart of American Conference Third Team as a senior.

INITIAL REGIONAL RANKINGS
The first set of NCAA regional rankings was released earlier this week and Northwest checked in at No. 4 in Super Region 3.
    Ferris State is No. 1, followed by No. 2 Ouachita Baptist and No. 3 Grand Valley State. The top seven teams in each region qualify for the Div. II playoffs, which are set to begin Nov. 17.


SUPER REGION 1
1.     Notre Dame (Ohio)    8-0
2.    Kutztown    7-0
3.    New Haven    6-0
4.    Tiffin    8-0
5.    LIU Post    7-0
6.    West Chester    7-0
7.    Hillsdale    7-1
8.    Ohio Dominican    6-2
9.    Slippery Rock    7-1
10.    Assumption    5-2

SUPER REGION 2
1.    West Georgia    8-0
2.    Valdosta State    8-0
3.    Lenoir-Rhyne    7-1
4.    Florida Tech    6-2
5.    Bowie State    6-1
6.    Carson-Newman    5-2
7.    Morehouse    6-1
8.    Virginia Union    5-2
9.    Tuskegee    5-2
10.    Albany State (Ga.)    5-3

SUPER REGION 3
1.    Ferris State    7-0
2.    Ouachita Baptist    8-0
3.    Grand Valley State    7-1
4.    Northwest Missouri St.    7-1
5.    Indianpolis    6-1
6.    Southern Arkansas    7-1
7.    Fort Hays State    6-2
8.    Harding    6-2
9.    Pittsburg State    6-2
10.    Saginaw Valley State    6-2

SUPER REGION 4
1.    Minnesota-Duluth    8-0
2.    Minnesota St., Mankato    8-0
3.    Colo. School of Mines    8-0
4.    Colorado St.-Pueblo    7-1
5.    Tarleton State    7-0
6.    Midwestern State (Texas)    6-1
7.    Texas A&M-Commerce    6-2
8.    Central Washington    6-1
9.    St. Cloud State    6-2
10.    Azusa Pacific    5-2

NO. 2 IN SCORING DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense by giving up only 11.4 points per game. Ouachita Baptist leads the nation in scoring defense (9.5 ppg).
    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 No. 2 fewest touchdowns allowed in 2018 with Minnesota-Duluth with 11 touchdowns allowed. Ouachita Baptist leads the country with nine touchdowns allowed.

IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation in red zone defense (60.0 percent). Opponents have had 15 opportunities in the red zone and have scored nine times (two rush TDs, three pass TDs, four FGs).
    Northwest ranks No. 6 in rushing defense (79.9 yards/game).

SOME DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
The Northwest defense has not allowed an individual runner to surpass 100 yards in the last 49 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 63 games.

WRIGHT SCORES
Redshirt freshman quarterback Braden Wright ranks No. 2 in the nation among freshmen for points responsible for with 132 this year. Wright trails Shippensburg freshman Brycen Mussina, who has accounted for 138 points.
    Wright also ranks No. 2 among all NCAA Division II freshmen in rushing touchdowns with eight.
    Notre Dame (Ohio) freshman running back Jaleel McLaughlin has 13 rushing touchdowns to lead the nation among first-year players.

QB RUSHING LEADERS
Braden Wright's eight rushing scores rank T-No. 4 in the nation in rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks.
    Wright's seven rushing touchdowns trails only Jayru Campbell (Ferris State), who has 14 touchdowns, and Jake Sullivan (South Dakota Mines) and Preston Paden (Harding), who each have 10 scores.

FRESHMAN QB TERRITORY
Braden Wright is in 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 1,748 yards and 14 touchdowns through the first eight games of the 2018 season. Wright has also rushed for 393 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018.

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 (2), Alec Tatum (1), Josh Caldwell (1) and LaTroy Harper (1) have all caught touchdowns passes from Wright this season.

RICHARDS RACKS UP STOPS
Senior safety Jack Richards totaled a game-high 13 tackles (seven solos) in a 38-17 win at Lindenwood. Richards and the Bearcat defense limited Lindenwood to 47 rushing yards on 28 attempts (1.7 yards per rush).
    Richards leads the Bearcats with 39 solo stops and 65 total tackles.

SAM SACKS 'EM
Sophomore defensive tackle Sam Roberts is tops on the team in quarterback sacks (5.0). Roberts has 30 total tackles and seven quarterback hurries in 2018.

ESKEW DROPS 'EM TOO
Senior Austen Eskew and Roberts are tied for the team lead with 10 tackles-for-loss.
    Northwest leads the MIAA and ranks No. 11 in the nation in tackles-for-loss per game (9.1).

STRAYING TO END ZONE
Junior running back Isaiah Strayhorn scored a on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs in helping lead Northwest to a 38-17 road win over Lindenwood.
    Strayhorn rushed for a game-high 64 yards on 14 carries against the Lions.
    He leads the Bearcats in rushing with 494 yards and 6.3 yards per carry. Strayhorn has found the end zone five times in 2018.

SAMPSON LEADS IN POINTS
Sophomore kicker Parker Sampson booted a 37-yard field goal and was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points in Northwest's 38-17 road win over Lindenwood.
    Sampson leads Northwest in scoring this season with 57 points. Sampson is 7-of-11 on field goals and 36-of-37 on extra points.

NCAA ACTIVE CAREER LEADER
Senior running back Josh Caldwell has rushed for 3,285 career rushing yards and ranks No. 7 among all active NCAA Division II players. Caldwell has rushed for 29 career touchdowns.

BANE AMONG LEADERS
Shawn Bane Jr. ranks No. 5 among active NCAA Div. II players in receiving yards. Bane has posted 3,156 yards in 42 career games. Bane is tied for No. 12 on the NCAA active career leaders touchdown receptions list with 28.
    Bane ranks No. 5 among active players in all-purpose yards with 5,042. Bane has accumulated 25 rushing yards, 759 punt return yards, 1,102 kick return yards and 3,156 receiving yards.

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 194 receptions.
    He became only the eighth Northwest receiver to surpass 3,000 career yards. Bane has tallied 3,156 receiving yards, which ranks No. 5 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.)    194
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.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pr.)    3,156
6.    Steve Hansley (1983-1985)    3,118
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.)    69
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.)    759
8.    Jeff Linden (1981-1984)        634
9.    Joe Wingate (1970-1973)        561
10.    Heath Parker (1988-1990)        406

Career Kick Return Yards
1.    Joe Wingate (1970-1973)        2,291
2.    Jordan Simmons (2009-2012)    1,896
3.    Jarvis Redmond (1985-1989)    1,682
4.    Tyler Shaw (2009-2012)        1,596
5.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        1,452
6.    Charlie Pugh (1996-1999)        1,235
7.    E.J. Falkner (2004-2007)        1,193
8.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    1,138
9.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pres.)    1,102
10.    Joe Spinello (1965-68)        1,082

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 104-14 since the start of the 2010 season.
    Minnesota-Duluth ranks second in Div. II with 96 wins since the start of 2010.

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.

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.

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.

PRESEASON FAVORITES
Northwest was picked as the preseason favorite by both the media and coaches to win the 2018 MIAA football championship. The Bearcats received 14 first-place votes and 382 points in the media poll. Northwest had four first-place votes and 103 points in the coaches poll.

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)

14 STRAIGHT PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
Last season marked the 14th straight season that Northwest had qualified for the NCAA Div. II playoffs. Northwest has made 22 overall appearances in the playoffs. Since 1996, the Bearcats have made 20 playoff appearances – only missing postseason action in 2001 and 2003.

SIX-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS
Northwest has captured six NCAA Div. II national championship – the most national titles by any Division II program. Northwest won national championships in 1998, 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
    The Bearcat have played in the NCAA Div. II national championship game 10 times in the last 21 years. Northwest has played for the crown in 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

28 MIAA TITLES
Northwest has captured 28 MIAA football regular season titles.

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.