Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Analyst: Matt Tritten
Sideline: Logan Weber

Flagship – KXCV (90.5 FM), Maryville
Bearcat Radio Network Affiliates:
KRNW (88.9 FM), Chillicothe
KMA (960 AM), Shenandoah, Iowa
KKWK (100.1 FM), Cameron
KCWJ (1030 AM), Kansas City

Live Stats - www.ESUHornets.com
Tickets - www.ESUHornets.com

THIS WEEK'S GAME
Northwest Missouri State will travel to Emporia State to take on the Hornets. Kick is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas.

RARE TRIP TO EMPORIA
Saturday's game will mark Northwest's first game at Emporia State for the Bearcats since the start of the 2016 season.
    The teams have met 11 times since 2010 and eight of those matchups have taken place at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville.

ALL-TIME VS. EMPORIA STATE
Northwest holds a commanding 33-2 lead in the all-time series vs. Emporia State. Northwest is 15-1 all-time at Emporia State with the Hornets's lone win coming on Oct. 9, 1965.

26 STRAIGHT WINS VS ESU
Northwest has defeated Emporia State 26 consecutive times entering Saturday's matchup.
    Emporia State's last win in the series came in Maryville on Oct. 1, 1994, when the Hornets tallied a 41-26 victory at Rickenbrode Stadium.

THE COACHES
Northwest is led by third-year head coach Rich Wright. Wright was named head coach at Northwest Missouri on Dec. 19, 2016. Wright has posted a 23-6 mark for the Bearcats. 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.
    Former Hornet Garin Higgins completed his 12th season as the Hornets head coach in 2018 with another post-season appearance. The Hornets capped their fourth straight winning season for the first time since joining NCAA Division II with a Corsicana Bowl Championship as Emporia State finished the season 8-4. In 2016, he led the team to an 11-2 record and their third NCAA Division II playoffs appearance in four years. In 2015, Higgins took his alma mater deeper into the NCAA Division II playoffs than ever before. He has built the Hornets the right way over his eight seasons and orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in Emporia State history. The Hornets have gone 59-25 over the last seven years after going 19-36 in his first five seasons.

SHUTOUTS UNDER WRIGHT
Northwest has recorded seven shutouts under the direction of head coach Rich Wright, including two consecutive blankings of Emporia State in 2017 and 2018.The Bearcats posted five shutouts in 2017 and added two more in 2018.

DONADELLE NAMED MIAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF WEEK
Junior returner/receiver Imoni Donadelle has been named the MIAA's football special teams player of the week presented by Mammoth Turf. It marks the fourth consecutive week that the Bearcat football team has had a player earn one of the league's weekly honors.
    Donadelle (Youngstown, Ohio) set a Northwest single-game record with 174 kick return yards against Central Oklahoma. The previous mark of 170 was set by E.J. Falkner vs. Pittsburg State (10/29/05). Donadelle set the tone for a Bearcat victory by returning the game's opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Donadelle added returns of 52 and 23 yards as he tallied 174 kick return yards against the Bronchos. Donadelle caught two passes for 17 yards and totaled a team-best 191 all-purpose yards on the day.

Northwest's Kickoff Returns Yards (Game)
1. Imoni Donadelle vs. UCO (9/28/19)    174
2. E.J. Falkner vs. Pitt St. (10/29/05)    170
3. Kendall Wright vs. Mo. West. (9/13/08)    152

TOPS IN KICK RETURNS
Northwest leads the nation in kickoff return average at 40.5 yards per returns. Northwest has returned six kickoffs this season for 243 yards.

NCAA Div. II Kick Returns
1. Northwest Mo. St.    40.50 avg.
2. Truman State    40.20 avg.
3. Tusculum        31.44 avg.
4. Missouri Western    29.47 avg.
5. Benedict        29.30 avg.

#3 IN NATION IN SCORING
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense at 52.0 points per game.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Offense
1. Slippery Rock    55.0 ppg
2. Indiana (Pa.)        52.8 ppg
3. Northwest Mo. St.    52.0 ppg
4. Central Missouri    51.8 ppg
5. Tarleton State    50.0 ppg

50 OR MORE POINTS
Northwest eclipsed the 50-point mark for the second time this season in Saturday's 59-10 win over Central Oklahoma.
    It's the second straight week that Northwest has scored 50 or more points - marking the first time since the 2016 season that Northwest has scored 50 or more points in back to back games. Northwest scored a 56-10 win at Central Oklahoma (10/8/16) and followed that up with a 74-29 victory over Northeastern State (10/15/16).
    Northwest has scored 50 or more points 48 times in school history. Northwest has scored between 50-59 points (21 times), 60-69 points (19 times) and 70 or more eight times).

SECOND IN INTERCEPTIONS
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the nation in passes intercepted with nine. California (Pa.) holds down the top spot with 10 picks in 2019.
    The Bearcats picked off six passes in their 66-34 win at Missouri Southern. It tied the school record for interceptions in a single game set previously on Oct. 27, 2012 vs. Washburn.

FOUR DEFENSIVE SCORES
The Bearcats rank second in the nation with four defensive touchdowns in 2019.
    Sam Phillips recorded a fumble return and an interception returns for touchdowns in the season opener at Missouri Western. This past week produced defensive scores from Jerrell Green (INT) and Braden Day (INT) against Missouri Southern.

+7 IN TURNOVER MARGIN
The Bearcats rank No. 8 in the nation in turnover margin (+2.33 per game). The Bearcats are plus-seven in turnover margin in 2019.

500 YARDS OF OFFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 7 in the nation in total offense by averaging 504.8 yards per game in 2019.
    Northwest posted 633 yards of total offense at Missouri Southern and came back with 568 yards of total offense against Central Oklahoma.

RED-ZONE SCORING
Northwest has scored on 14 of its 15 trips inside the red-zone this season.
    The only time Northwest failed to score this season in the red-zone came on the final play of the Bearcats's 45-35 win at Missouri Western when Northwest took a knee.
    Northwest has posted 11 touchdowns and has made three field goals in its 14 red-zone scores.

WRIGHT'S FIRST 300+ GAME
Sophomore quarterback Braden Wright posted his first collegiate 300-yard passing game in a 59-10 win over Central Oklahoma.
     Wright passed for a career-high 305 yards (all in the first half), threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another in the Family Weekend victory.
    Wright rushed for 33 yards on five carries. Wright connected with Justin Rankin on a 48-yard touchdown pass on Northwest's first offensive play of the game for his first score of the day.
    With 1:55 left in the first quarter, Wright scampered 12 yards for a touchdown to give the Bearcats a 24-7 advantage. Wrights efficiency took off in the second quarter as he completed 7-of-9 passes for 204 yards and three scores. Wright hit LaTroy Harper for touchdown passes of 64 and 53 yards before connecting again with Rankin for a 29-yard score with 50 seconds left in the half that gave the Bearcats a commanding 52-7 lead.
    Wright led the charge as the Bearcats rolled up 568 yards of total offense in the game, that included 409 yards in the first half.

THE WRIGHT STUFF
Sophomore quarterback Braden Wright has set a career-high in passing yards in each of the last three weeks.
    Wright passed for 278 yards and two scores in a 38-17 win over Washburn.
    Wright tossed for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a 66-34 victory at Missouri Southern.
    Wright threw for a career-high 305 yards and four scores in a 59-10 triumph over Central Oklahoma.

RESPONSIBLE QB
Quarterback Braden Wright ranks No. 6 in the nation for points responsible for (84) through the first four weeks of the 2019 season.

HOHENSEE DOES IT ALL
Redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Hohensee is doing everything he can to contribute to the Bearcat football team.
    Hohensee ranks second on the team in rushing yards (148) and is averaging 10.6 yards per carry.
    As a quarteback, Hohensee has completed 4-fo-5 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
    Hohensee has punted 17 times for a 36.2 average. He has had seven punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

RANKIN CARRIES THE LOAD
Senior running back Justin Rankin has rushed for 432 yards on 70 carries and has scored a team-high four rushing touchdowns.
    Rankin has totaled 2,007 career rushing yards on 418 carries and has scored 14 rushing touchdowns in 38 collegiate games. Rankin played his previous three seasons at Kent State University.
    Rankin has produced four 100-yard rushing games in his collegiate career.

Rankin's 100-Yard Games
9/8/18 vs. Howard - 147 yds.
10/6/18 vs. Ohio - 123 yds.
9/5/19 at Missouri Western - 130 yds.
9/21/19 at Missouri Southern - 150 yds.

IMONI IS MONEY
Junior wide receiver Imoni Donadelle leads squad in receptions (12), receiving yards (270) and receiving touchdowns (3).
    Donadelle became the first Bearcat to record 150-plus receiving yards since Shawn Bane Jr. went for 157 yards vs. Northeastern State on Oct. 15, 2016. Donadelle had six catches for 160 yards and two scores in Northwest's 66-34 win at Missouri Southern.
    Donadelle's first catch came on the game's second play from a scrimmage - a 68-yard touchdown strike from Braden Wright.
    Donadelle made his way into the national spotlight with his second touchdown catch, which was featured at No. 8 on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day. Donadelle caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Mike Hohensee. Donadelle was able to handle the pass after the ball bounced from the defender's body to back to him at the goal line. BAYER IS BEARCATS'S ASPIRIN
Junior safety Blake Bayer is the leading tackler through the first four games with 28 stops.
    Bayer has also posted a team-best 18 solo stops.

12 DIFFERENT BEARCATS FIND END ZONE
Through four games, 12 different Northwest players have found the end zone.
    Justin Rankin leads the team with six touchdowns, Imoni Donadelle has tallied four touchdowns. LaTroy Harper and Braden Wright have each found the end zone three times. Alec Tatum, Mike Hohensee, Isaiah Strayhorn and Sam Phillips each have two touchdowns. Kaden Davis, Braden Dey, Jerrell Green and Kyle Raunig have each found the endzone once.

FOURTH QUARTER DEFENSE
Northwest is finishing strong in the fourth quarter in 2019. The Bearcats have outscored their opponents in the fourth, 49-14.

GREEN COLLECTS MIAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
Senior defensive back Jerrell Green has been named the MIAA's football defensive player of the week for his play in a 66-34 win at Missouri Southern (9/21).
    Green (Sun City, Arizona/Phoenix College) recorded two of Northwest's six interceptions and returned one for a touchdown in a 66-34 victory over the Lions.
    Green's first interception came with 1:49 left in the first half. Green picked off Missouri Southern's Jacob Park and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to give Northwest a 38-14 lead.
    His second pick came on MSSU's next possession with 53 seconds left in the half. Green's interception came at the Northwest 9-yard line and thwarted a MSSU red-zone scoring attempt.

TIED MIAA PICK-SIX MARK
Northwest tied the MIAA record for interception returns for a touchdown in a single game with two against Missouri Southern.
    Jerrell Green returned an interception 11 yards for a score in the second quarter. Braden Dey returned a pick 17 yards for the final score of the day in Northwest's 66-34 victory at Missouri Southern.

19 PASS DEFENSES VS LIONS
Northwest is tied with Assumption for the nation's lead in total passes defensed in a game (19). Northwest recorded 13 pass breakups and six interceptions in a 66-34 win at Missouri Southern.

THE TRUFFLE SHUFFLE
Sophomore Zach Howard has recorded a sack in each of the first three games. Howard has also performed "The Truffle Shuffle" following each sack to the delight of the Bearcat fans.

600-PLUS YARDS OF OFFENSE
Northwest eclipsed 600 yards of total offense (633 yards) in its 66-34 win at Missouri Southern.
    It's the most yards of total offense since the Bearcats produced 651 yards vs. Missouri Southern (Sept. 23, 2017).

WRIGHT NAMED MIAA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore quarterback Braden Wright was named the MIAA's football offensive player of the week.
    Wright passed for a career-high 278 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in leading Northwest to a 38-17 win over Washburn. Wright was 20-29 passing, while rushing six times for 47 yards and a score.
    Wright has accounted for six of Northwest's nine offensive touchdowns in 2019. Wright has passed for four scores and rushed for two others.
    Last season as a redshirt freshman, Wright ranked No. 1 in the nation among freshmen in points responsible for (210). Wright rushed for 11 touchdowns and threw for 24 scores in 2018.

RIDING RANKIN
Senior running back Justin Rankin rushed for seven first downs, including five in the fourth quarter of the Bearcats's 45-35 win at Missouri Western.
    Rankin rushed for a game-high 130 yards on 20 carries. Rankin posted a team-best 143 all-purpose yards.
    
4TH QTR LOCKDOWN
The Northwest defense put up a wall in Missouri Western's final three possessions last week.
    After Missouri Western took a 38-35 lead, the Griffons ran eight total plays for minus-15 yards. Included in those eight plays were two sacks and an interception.

TWO DEFENSIVE SCORES
Sophomore linebacker Sam Phillips scored two defensive touchdowns (fumble, interception) in Northwest's 45-35 win at Missouri Western and was named the MIAA defensive player of the week.
    His brother, Spencer, scooped up an errant shotgun snap by the Griffons and then lateraled the ball to Sam for a 43-yard fumble return for a touchdown for the first score of the game.
    Prior to Phillips fumble return for a touchdown, the last Bearcat to score on an opponents' fumble came when Brandon Yost recovered a fumble for a touchdown at Pittsburg State (Oct. 17, 2015).
    Phillips then added a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Bearcats a 28-7 lead over the Griffons.
    Phillips finished the game with six tackles to go along with his two defensive touchdowns.

TREY MAKES BIG PLAYS
Sophomore cornerback Trey Washington had a huge impact on the outcome of Northwest's 45-35 win at Missouri Western.
    With Northwest clinging to a 38-35 lead and Missouri Western facing a 3rd-and-5 at the Griffon 35-yard line, Washington blitzed off the corner and sacked quarterback Wyatt Steigerwald forcing MWSU to punt with 7:20 to play in the contest.
    On Western's next possession, Washington stepped in front of a Steigerwald pass and picked him off with 5:21 left in the fourth quarter.

DONADELLE DOES DAMAGE
Junior wide receiver Imoni Donadelle touched the ball three times against Missouri Western and averaged 34.7 yards per touch.
    Donadelle's first touch came on a 60-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
    Donadelle also rushed two times for 16 yards and 28 yards (44 total rushing yards).
    His three touches accounted for 104 all-purpose yards in Northwest's 45-35 win at Missouri Western.

RAUNIG MAKES IT COUNT
Senior tight end Kyle Raunig made his first career catch count.  Raunig latched on to a four-yard touchdown reception from Braden Wright to close out Northwest's 45-35 win at Missouri Western.

PROGRAM OF THE DECADE
Northwest is the winningest NCAA Div. II program of this decade from 2010-2018. Northwest is 111-16 for an .874 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.

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
It's not easy to get on the Academic All-America list. The Bearcats do a pretty good job of filling it up though, placing 17 players on the list, including 16 since 2003. In 2016, Kyle Zimmerman (QB) took home the top honor – Academic All-American of the Year – something no Bearcat had ever done. Last season, Northwest had Marqus Andrews and Ryan Spelhaug each named first-team Academic All-Americans.

DIVISION II'S ELITE PROGRAM
Northwest has reached the NCAA Division II national championship game 10 times. Northwest owns six national championships (1998, 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016).
    The Bearcats are 48-17 all-time in the playoffs, which marks the most victories in Division II playoff history.
    The Bearcats (.738) also rank No. 1 in highest winning percentage in the Division II playoffs.

Most Division II Playoff Victories
Northwest Missouri    48-16 (23 years)
Grand Valley State    35-15 (19 years)
North Alabama    35-18 (21 years)

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE
Northwest earned its 15th straight bid and 23rd overall appearance in the Division II playoffs in 2018.
    Northwest ranks No. 1 all-time in Division II in playoff appearances.

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

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.

MIAA CHAMPS
Northwest earned a share of the program's 29th MIAA regular season title in 2018. The Bearcats have claimed five of the last six MIAA crowns.

MEASURE UP WITH BEARCATS
Northwest owns an NCAA Division II playoff record 48 victories. The other current members of the MIAA have won a combined 39 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    48-17 (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    0-4 (4 years)
Missouri Southern    0-1 (1 year)

FOR OPENERS
The Bearcats have won nine consecutive season openers. Northwest last lost its opening game of the season on Sept. 2, 2010, in a 16-7 setback vs. No. 14-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Last Eight Season-Opening Contests
9/5/18        W, 45-35 at Missouri Western
8/30/18    W, 28-6 vs. Missouri Western
8/31/17    W, 34-0 vs. No. 4 Emporia State
9/1/16        W, 41-14 at No. 24 Emporia State
9/3/15        W, 31-0 at Nebraska-Kearney
9/14/14    W, 31-7 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
9/15/13    W, 45-24 vs. No. 22 Saginaw Valley
8/30/12    W, 33-3 vs. East Central
9/1/11        W, 65-3 at Truman State

PRESEASON FAVORITES
Northwest was picked as the preseason favorite by media to win the 2019 MIAA football title. Northwest received 32 first-place votes and 471 points. Fort Hays State was picked second with seven first-place votes and 433 points.
    Fort Hays State was tabbed as the favorite in the preseason coaches poll. The Tigers notched six first-place votes and 114 points, while the Bearcats posted five first-place votes and 112 points.

SIX CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright has designated six captains for the 2019 football season. Wright has named tight end Marqus Andrews (Blue Springs, Mo.), defensive back Jacob Gassman (Kearney, Mo.), linebacker Andy Hessler (Hartland, Wis.), offensive lineman Tanner Owen (Kearney, Mo.), defensive lineman Spencer Phillips (Glenwood, Iowa) and offensive lineman Ryan Spelhaug (Bettendorf, Iowa).

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.

BEARCATS, GORILLAS RETURN TO ARROWHEAD OCT. 12
Tickets for the Oct. 12 Northwest Missouri State University football game vs. Pittsburg State University at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City went on sale Aug 13.
    Tickets can be ordered through Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office located between the Founder's Plaza and the Hy-Vee Gate.
    Lower Level tickets are $25 (plus fees) while tickets on the CommunityAmerica Club Level are $50 (plus fees). Student tickets are available for $10 (plus fees) through a special link distributed by each university or the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office. Suites are available by calling (888) 99-CHIEFS (24433). All tickets for this event will be electronic.
    Parking will be $15 while RV and bus parking is $25. Fans are encouraged to buy parking passes in advance to alleviate long lines on game day.
"We are so appreciative of the Kansas City Chiefs and their partnership to bring us back to Arrowhead Stadium," Northwest Missouri State Director of Athletics Andy Peterson said. "There are so many positives for us to play this game in K.C., it's an opportunity we cannot pass up. Allowing our student-athletes the ability to suit up and play football in one of 31 NFL stadiums in the country is tremendous for them, their families and our alumni base that is so strong in the area."
    Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, played host to 12 annual meetings between the Bearcats and the Gorillas from 2002-2013. Northwest is 11-3 all-time at Arrowhead having also defeated Central Missouri in both 2016 and 2017. In the 14 contests at Arrowhead, the Bearcats have averaged more than 30 points per game and have drawn seven crowds of more than 20,000 fans.
    Rich Wright talked about the benefits of playing this game in Kansas City.
    "We want our student-athletes to have the best experience possible and the opportunity to play in Arrowhead Stadium is tough to top," Wright said. "Not only is it a highlight for our players and staff, but it is a showcase for our Bearcat fans and Division II football. There is a lot of excitement when you know you are playing in an NFL stadium and our fans help immensely when they fill it up."

BEARCATS IN THE NFL
Northwest was represented in the National Football League in 2019 training camps by wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) and running back Josh Caldwell (Chicago Bears).