Northwest Missouri State Notes (PDF) | Grand Valley State Notes (PDF)
NCAA Division II Playoffs - First Round
Game No. 12 - Northwest Missouri State (9-2) at Grand Valley State (10-1)
Sat., Nov. 17 | 1 p.m. (ET) | Allendale, Mich. | Lubbers Stadium (10,440)

TV - ESPN3

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

Live Stats - www.NCAASports.com - Grand Valley State site
Tickets - call (616) 331-3200

THIS WEEK'S GAME
Northwest Missouri State will take on Grand Valley State in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bearcats and Lakers will kick at Noon (CT) at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan.

SUPER REGION 3
Northwest is the No. 6 seed in Super Region 3, while Grand Valley State is the No. 3 seed in the region. Ouachita Baptist is the No. 1 seed and will play the winner of the No. 5 Fort Hays State at No. 4 Indianapolis matchup. The winner of the Northwest-GVSU game will play the winner of the No. 7 Harding at No. 2 Ferris State contest.

DIVISION II'S ELITE PROGRAMS
Northwest and Grand Valley State have combined to make 16 national championship game appearances and the two programs have won 10 national titles. Northwest owns six national championships (1998, 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016), while Grand Valley State has won four national titles (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006).

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE
Northwest earned its 15th straight bid and 23rd overall appearance in the Division II playoffs. Grand Valley State is making its 19th appearance in the Division II playoffs.
    Northwest ranks No. 1 all-time in Division II in playoff appearances, while GVSU ranks No. 3.

Most Div. II Playoff Appearances
Northwest Missouri    23
North Alabama    21
Grand Valley State    19
Indiana (Pa.)    18
Pittsburg State    18
UC Davis    18

PLENTY OF PLAYOFF WINS BETWEEN THE TWO
The Bearcats and Lakers are the two all-time winningest Division II playoff programs. The Bearcats are 47-16 all-time in the playoffs, while the Lakers are 35-14. North Alabama has also won 35 Division II playoff games.
    The Bearcats (.746) and Lakers (.714) rank No. 1 and No. 2 in highest winning percentage in the Division II playoffs.

Most Division II Playoff Victories
Northwest Missouri    47-16 (23 years)
Grand Valley State    35-14 (19 years)
North Alabama    35-18 (21 years)

SOME BIG-TIME PREVIOUS MATCHUPS
Northwest and Grand Valley have met five times in the Division II playoffs with the Bearcats owning a 3-2 advantage.
    Grand Valley State defeated Northwest in the national title games in 2005 (21-17) and 2006 (17-14).
    Since then, Northwest has won the final three matchups. In 2007, Northwest scored a 34-16 win over Grand Valley in the semifinals in Maryville, Missouri. Northwest won the 2009 national title with a triumph over Grand Valley (30-23). The Bearcats scored a 27-13 victory over the Lakers in the 2013 national semifinals in Bearcat Stadium.

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 18-5 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.
    Matt Mitchell is in his ninth year as the head coach of the Grand Valley State University football program. Mitchell is 87-24 as the head coach of the Lakers with five NCAA DII Playoff appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances, two GLIAC Championships and three GLIAC North Division titles. In addition, Mitchell is 8-4 in NCAA DII Playoff action as a head coach. In 14 years as a part of the Laker football program (eight as head coach and six as an assistant) Mitchell has coached in two NCAA DII Championships games, five NCAA semifinal contests and nine NCAA quarterfinal games.

MIAA CHAMPS
Northwest earned a share of the program's 29th MIAA regular season title with a 48-21 win at Central Missouri.
    The Bearcats have claimed five of the last six MIAA crowns.
    It is the first MIAA title for head coach Rich Wright.

MEASURE UP WITH BEARCATS
Northwest owns an NCAA Division II playoff record 47 victories. The other current members of the MIAA have won a combined 39 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    47-16 (23 years)
Pittsburg State    25-16 (18 years)
Central Oklahoma    3-4 (4 years)
Emporia State    3-4 (4 years)
Northeastern St.    2-2 (2 years)
Central Missouri    2-3 (3 years)
Missouri Western    2-4 (4 years)
Washburn    1-3 (3 years)
Nebraska-Kearney    1-4 (4 years)
Fort Hays State    0-3 (4 years)
Missouri Southern    0-1 (1 year)

BEST IN THE MIAA
Not only is Northwest in the top spot of the MIAA standings, the Bearcats hold down the No. 1 spot in numerous league categories.

Total Defense - 267.1
Sacks - 2.91
Tackles-for-Loss - 8.5
Scoring Offense - 37.5
Scoring Defense - 13.3
Rushing Defense - 66.0
Red Zone Defense - .770
Punt Return Defense - 5.13
Fewest Interceptions Thrown - 5
Kickoff Return - 24.17
Kickoff Return Defense - 16.36
First Downs Defense - 169
3rd Down Conversion Defense - .253

WRIGHT NAMED MIAA FROSH OF YEAR; 17 BEARCATS EARN ALL-MIAA HONORS
Northwest Missouri State quarterback Braden Wright is the MIAA Freshman of Year and the Bearcat football is represented by 17 players on the all-MIAA squads.
    Wright (Elkhorn, Nebraska) has passed for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 496 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 11 rushing touchdowns are the most by a freshman quarterback in Division II football. He is also one of eight Division II quarterbacks to pass for 2,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions. 



FIRST TEAM - BEARCAT BIOS
Austen Eskew - leads the MIAA in sacks and tackles-for-loss ... started all 11 games at defensive end ... part of a Bearcat defense that ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, first downs defense and third-down conversion defense ... the Bearcat defense ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense ... first-team all-MIAA in 2017.

Zach Flott - started all 11 games at right tackle ... Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.5 points per game ... protected quarterback Braden Wright, which allowed him to pass for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Northwest rushed for 29 touchdowns and averaged 208.0 yards per game on the ground ... second-team all-MIAA pick in 2017.

Anthony Lane - led the squad with nine pass breakups ... tied for fifth on the squad with 42 total tackles (30 solos) ... started first three games at cornerback and moved to safety where he started final seven games ... two-time second-team all-MIAA pick in 2016 and 2017.

Tanner Owen - started all 11 games at left tackle for the MIAA champions ... Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.5 points per game ... protected quarterback Braden Wright, which allowed him to pass for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Northwest rushed for 29 touchdowns and averaged 208.0 yards per game on the ground.

Sam Roberts - ranks third in MIAA in sacks and TFLs ... registered seven tackles and two sacks in a 41-0 win over Emporia State ... led the squad with eight quarterback hurries ... honorable mention all-MIAA pick in 2017.

SECOND TEAM - BEARCAT BIOS
Shawn Bane Jr. -  led Northwest in receptions (41), receiving yards (692) and receiving touchdowns (5) ... posted a season-high 102 yards receiving vs. Missouri Western ... caught at least two passes in every game ... returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown against Missouri Southern ... also returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown against Fort Hays State ... scored seven total touchdowns ... second-team all-MIAA pick in 2016 and 2017 ... MIAA freshman of the year in 2015 ... first-team all-MIAA kick/punt returner in 2015.

Nick Hess - Started all 11 games at linebacker ... tied for fifth on the team with 42 total tackles ... has eight TFLs and 2.5 sacks ... season-high nine tackles vs. Nebraska-Kearney ... part of a Bearcat defense that ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, first downs defense and third-down conversion defense ... the Bearcat defense ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense ... third-team all-MIAA in 2017.

Jack Richards -  started all 11 games at safety .. led the Bearcats in tackles (80) ... ranked second on the team with two interceptions ... part of a Bearcat defense that ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense, sacks, TFLs, scoring defense, rushing defense, red zone defense, first downs defense and third-down conversion defense ... the Bearcat defense ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense.

Braden Wright - his 11 rushing scores is tied for second in the nation among all quarterbacks ... he ranks third in the nation among all freshmen in rushing touchdowns ... one of eight quarterbacks with 2,000 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions ... ranks third in the nation among freshmen in points responsible for (186).

THIRD TEAM - BEARCAT BIOS
Chama Pierre - appeared in nine games and made seven starts at cornerback ... ranks second on the squad with seven pass breakups ... credited with 14 tackles (12 solos) ... one tackle-for-loss ... tallied four pass breakups vs. Nebraska-Kearney ... posted a season-high four tackles vs. Fort Hays State.

Ryan Spelhaug - started all 11 games at right guard ... Northwest featured the No. 1 scoring offense in the MIAA at 36.5 points per game ... protected quarterback Braden Wright, which allowed him to pass for 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Northwest rushed for 29 touchdowns and averaged 208.0 yards per game on the ground.

HON. MENTION - BEARCAT BIOS
Ben Althoff - Started and played in eight games while battling injuries ... recorded 28 tackles (13 solos) ... two TFLs and a quarterback sack ... posted a seaso-high six tackles vs. Fort Hays State ... a first-team all-MIAA pick in 2017.

Marqus Andrews - ranked third on the team with three touchdown receptions ... ranked fifth on the squad with 16 receptions ... caught a season-high four passes, including a touchdown at Central Missouri ... tallied a season-high 46 receiving yards, including a 25-yard score at Lindenwood.

Josh Caldwell - second on the squad in rushing yards (659) and rushing touchdowns (9) ... caught 12 passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns ... ranks No. 7 among active Div. II running backs with 3,281 rushing yards ... has rushed for 33 career touchdowns ... posted 16 career 100-yard games (15 for Missouri Western and 1 for Northwest) ... named the MIAA co-offensive player of the week after he rushed for a season-high 182 and three rushing scores, plus two receptions for 24 yards and a receiving touchdown at Central Missouri.

Mike Ehlke - started all 11 games at defensive end ... tallied 25 total tackles (14 solos) ... credited with seven tackles-for-loss and four quarterback sacks ... posted a season-high seven tackles vs. Nebraska-Kearney.

Spencer Phillips - started all 11 games at nose guard ... tied for third on the team in total tackles (44) ... 21 solo stops ... ranked third on the squad with 8.0 tackles-for-loss ... registered 2.5 sacks ... forced a fumble ... credited with five quarterback hurries ... had a season-high seven tackles at Pittsburg State.

Isaiah Strayhorn - leads Northwest in rushing yards (688) ... named the MIAA player of the week after rushing for 147 yards on only 11 carries in a 31-7 win at Pittsburg State ... rushed for two scores in a 38-17 victory at Lindenwood ... scored five rushing touchdowns in 2018.

ESKEW DROPS 'EM
Senior Austen Eskew is the MIAA leader in tackles-for-loss (15) and quarterback sacks (7.5).

ROBERTS IS ON ESKEW'S HEELS
Sophomore Sam Roberts is third in the MIAA in tackles-for-loss (13). Roberts is tied for fourth in the MIAA in quarterback sacks (6.0).

BEST IN DIVISION II
Braden Wright has rushed for the most touchdowns by a freshman quarterback in all of Division II football.
    Wright's 11 rushing scores by a freshman quarterback is second in all NCAA Divisions trailing only Div. III's Cormac Madigan of Ripon College who has 13 rushing scores.

QB RUSHING LEADERS
Braden Wright's 11 rushing scores rank T-No. 2 in the nation in rushing touchdowns by all quarterbacks.
    Wright's 11 rushing touchdowns trails only Jayru Campbell (Ferris State), who has 18 touchdowns and Harding's Preston Paden, who has 12 touchdowns.

WRIGHT SCORES
Redshirt freshman quarterback Braden Wright ranks No. 3 in the nation among freshmen for points responsible for with 186 this year. Wright trails Shippensburg freshman Brycen Mussina and Shepherd freshman Tyson Bagen, who have each accounted for 192 points.

THIRD AMONG FROSH RUSH TDS
Wright also ranks No. 3 among all NCAA Division II freshmen in rushing touchdowns with 11.
    Notre Dame (Ohio) freshman running back Jaleel McLaughlin has 17 rushing touchdowns, while Wingate's Nijere Peoples has 13 rushing scores to lead the nation among first-year players.

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 2,235 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wright has also rushed for 482 yards and 11 touchdowns.

SPREADING IT AROUND
Quarterback Braden Wright has connected with eight different Bearcats for passing scores in 2018.
    Shawn Bane Jr. (5), Chase White (4), Jaime Taylor (2), Marqus Andrews (3), Alec Tatum (2), Josh Caldwell (2), LaTroy Harper (1) and Cody Massey (1) have all caught touchdowns passes from Wright.

CONSIDER THE COMPANY
Braden Wright is one of eight Div. II quarterbacks to have thrown for 2,000-plus yards, 20 touchdowns and have five interceptions or less. He is the only freshman among those eight.

Willie Candler, Jr. - West Georgia
2,489 yards; 24 TDs; 2 INTs

Ben Holmes, Sr. - Tarleton State
2,031 yards, 23 TDs, 4 INTs

Reece Metcalf, Sr. - McKendree
2,644 yards; 27 TDs; 4 INTs

Rogan Wells, So. - Valdosta State
2,219 yards; 28 TDs; 4 INTs

Jayru Campbell, Jr. - Ferris State
2,127 yards; 22 TDs; 4 INTs

Reilly Hennessey, Sr. - Central Wash.
2,705 yards; 21 TDs, 5 INTs

Bart Williams, Sr. - Grand Valley St.
2,448 yards; 21 TDs; 5 INTs

Braden Wright, Fr. - Northwest Mo.
2,235 yards; 20 TDs; 5 INTs

PUNT RETURN GAME
Northwest has three punt returns for touchdowns this season. Shawn Bane Jr. has returned two for scores (85 yards, 56 yards), while Alec Tatum has one punt return for a touchdown (53 yards).
    Only Fairmont State with five and Notre Dame (Ohio) with four have returned more punt returns for touchdowns this season.

NO. 6 IN SCORING DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense by giving up only 13.3 points per game. Ouachita Baptist leads the nation in scoring defense (9.6 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.

NO. 3 IN RUSH DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense (66.0 yards/game).
    Only three opponents have reached 100 rushing yards this season (Nebraska-Kearney - 132; Pittsburg State - 118; Missouri Western - 121).
    In its last four games, Northwest has held each of its four opponents to 47 yards rushing or less.

Rushing Defense
1. Minnesota-Duluth - 58.8
2. West Chester - 60.1
3. Northwest Missouri State - 66.0
4. Notre Dame (Ohio) - 68.5
5. Harding - 69.7

RARE RUSHING SCORES
The Bearcats have allowed four rushing touchdowns, which ranks No. 3 in fewest rushing scores allowed. Minnesota-Duluth has given up two rushing touchdowns, while Harding has allowed three rushing scores.

LIMITED TOUCHDOWNS ALLOWED
Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation in fewest touchdowns allowed.

Fewest TDs Allowed
1. Ouachita Baptist - 12
2. Minnesota-Duluth - 14
3. Harding - 15
4. LIU Post - 16
5. Colorado State-Pueblo - 17
6. Northwest Missouri State - 18

SOME DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
The Northwest defense has not allowed an individual runner to surpass 100 yards in the last 52 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 66 games.

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 106-15 since the start of the 2010 season.
    Minnesota-Duluth ranks second in Div. II with 99 wins since the start of 2010.

HOMETOWN LOCKDOWN
In its last 10 home games, Northwest has allowed 59 total points (5.9) points per game). Northwest has pitched five shutouts in that eight-game stretch.
    Northwest has allowed six touchdowns to be scored over the last 40 quarters at Bearcat Stadium.

Last 10 Home Games
L, 17-16 vs. Fort Hays State
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

FIRST HALF ATTACK
Northwest has jumped out early on the competition this season and owns a 108-31 advantage in the first quarter and a 144-30 scoring lead in the second quarter.
    All told, Northwest has scored 252 first-half points while giving up 61 points.

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.

CALDWELL REACHES 100
Senior running back Josh Caldwell was named the MIAA co-offensive player of the week after he rushed for 182 yards and scored four touchdowns in Northwest's 48-21 road victory over Central Missouri.
    Caldwell recorded his first 100-yard rushing game for the Bearcats after posting 15 for Missouri Western from 2015-2017.
    Caldwell rushed 15 times for 182 yards and three rushing scores.
    On the first drive of the game, Caldwell carried three times for 52 yards and eventually scored on a 1-yard run with 12:58 left in the first quarter.
    Caldwell scored his second touchdown of the game on a 20-yard screen pass from Braden Wright with 7:19 left in the second quarter.
    Caldwell burst through for a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give Northwest a 31-0 lead over UCM.
    Caldwell scored his final touchdown of the game on a 22-yard run with 1:41 left in the third quarter giving the Bearcats a commanding 45-0 lead over the Mules.
    Caldwell tallied 206 all-purpose yards vs. the Mules.

3,000-PLUS FOR CALDWELL
Caldwell has rushed for 3,570 career rushing yards and ranks No. 7 among all active NCAA Division II players. Caldwell has rushed for 33 career touchdowns.

BANE AMONG LEADERS
Shawn Bane Jr. ranks No. 5 among active NCAA Div. II players in receiving yards. Bane has posted 3,281 yards in 46 career games. Bane is tied for No. 12 on the NCAA active career leaders touchdown receptions list with 29.
    Bane ranks No. 5 among active players in all-purpose yards with 5,378. Bane has accumulated 46 rushing yards, 865 punt return yards, 1,186 kick return yards and 3,281 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. 6 in Bearcat history with 205 receptions.
    He became only the eighth Northwest receiver to surpass 3,000 career yards. Bane has tallied 3,281 receiving yards, which ranks No. 4 on the all-time Northwest receiving yards chart.
    His 29 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.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pr.)    205
7.    Dan Anderson (1982-1985)    198
8.    Steve Hansley (1983-1985)    196
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.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pr.)    3,281
5.    Kendall Wright (2005-2008)    3,253
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.)    29
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.)    72
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.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pres.)    865
6.    Jordan Simmons (2009-2012)    825
7.    Jason Melnick (1994-1996)    782
8.    Jeff Linden (1981-1984)        634
9.    Joe Wingate (1970-1973)        561
10.    Heath Parker (1988-1990)        406

Career Kickoff Returns
1.    Joe Wingate (1970-1973)        99
2.    Jarvis Redmond (1985-1989)    78
3.    Jordan Simmons (2009-2012)    68
    Tyler Shaw (2009-2012)        68
5.    Tony Miles (1997-2000)        59
6.    Joseph Johnson (1989-1992)    56
7.    Joe Spinello (1965-1968)        54
8.    Charlie Pugh (1996-1999)        53
9.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    52
    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pres.)    52

Career Kickoff 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.    Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-pres.)    1,186
9.    Jamaica Rector (2001-2004)    1,138
10.    Joe Spinello (1965-68)        1,082

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.

FIVE CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright as designated five captains for the 2018 football season. Wright has named defensive back Anthony Lane (Riviera Beach, Fla.), linebacker Nick Hess (Liberty, Mo.), defensive end Austen Askew (Lawson, Mo.), linebacker Ben Althoff (Palmyra, Mo.) and offensive lineman Zach Flott (Ralston, Neb.) as the captains for the upcoming year.

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)

HOME COOKING IN PLAYOFFS
Northwest has compiled a 29-3 all-time record at home in the NCAA Div. II playoffs. In fact heading into the 2018 season, the Bearcats have won 22 consecutive home playoff games at Bearcat Stadium.

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.

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.