Northwest Football Game Notes (PDF)

Game No. 8 - Lincoln (1-6) at Northwest Missouri State (6-1)
Saturday, Oct. 26 | 2 p.m. | Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Stadium (6,500)

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

Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Matt Tritten
Radio 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.BearcatSports.com
Tickets - www.BearcatSports.com

THIS WEEK'S GAME - HOMECOMING
Northwest Missouri State will play host to its annual Homecoming game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bearcat Stadium against the Lincoln Blue Tigers.

NORTHWEST HOMECOMING RESULTS (since 1946)
1946 – W, 7-0 Missouri State
1947 – T, 0-0 Southeast Missouri State
1948 – W, 13-12 Truman State
1949 – W, 41-14 Southeast Missouri State
1951 – W, 7-0 Southeast Missouri State
1952 – W, 28-27 Truman State
1953 – W, 27-7 Central Missouri
1954 – W, 20-6 Missouri State
1955 – W, 11-6 Missouri S&T
1956 – W, 13-7 William Jewell
1957 – W, 20-6 Central Missouri
1958 – L, 28-6 Central Missouri
1959 – W, 14-12 Missouri State
1960 – L, 26-20 Truman State
1961 – L, 34-7 Missouri State
1962 – L, 13-0 Central Missouri
1963 – W, 22-14 Missouri S&T
1964 – L, 20-8 Truman State
1965 – W, 40-12 Missouri S&T
1966 – W, 21-14 Central Missouri
1967 – L, 7-6 Missouri State
1968 – L, 28-7 Central Missouri
1969 – W, 28-16 Missouri State
1970 – L, 34-29 Southeast Missouri State
1971 – L, 16-3 Truman State
1972 – W, 22-13 Southeast Missouri State
1973 – W, 7-6 Truman State
1974 – L, 29-24 Missouri State
1975 – W, 30-7 Central Missouri
1976 – L, 17-12 Southeast Missouri State
1977 – W, 27-12 Central Missouri
1978 – L, 27-22 Missouri State
1979 – W, 13-9 Truman State
1980 – L, 41-3 Missouri S&T
1981 – L, 52-0 Truman State
1982 – L, 24-21 Missouri S&T
1983 – L, 27-21 Truman State
1984 – W, 30-28 Southeast Missouri State
1985 – W, 18-10 Central Missouri
1986 – L, 13-3 Missouri S&T
1987 – L, 23-0 Truman State
1988 – L, 65-42 West Texas A&M
1989 – W, 7-3 Missouri S&T
1990 – L, 14-0 Washburn
1991 – L, 37-28 Truman State
1992 – L, 10-7 Central Missouri
1993 – L, 21-17 Southwest Baptist
1994 – L, 20-15 Missouri S&T
1995 – W, 41-33 Missouri Southern
1996 – W, 31-24 Missouri Western
1997 – W, 59-3 Southwest Baptist
1998 – W, 49-9 Missouri S&T
1999 – W, 52-13 Missouri Southern
2000 – W, 62-7 Emporia State
2001 – L, 24-23 Truman State
2002 – W, 47-3 Missouri Southern
2003 – W, 47-14 Missouri Southern
2004 – W, 59-28 Emporia State
2005 – W, 31-21 Central Missouri
2006 – W, 59-0 Fort Hays State
2007 – W, 28-27 Washburn
2008 – W, 56-7 Fort Hays State
2009 – W, 22-19 Washburn
2010 – W, 45-27 Fort Hays State
2011 – W, 52-28 Washburn
2012 – W, 55-10 Emporia State
2013 – W, 43-7 Missouri Southern
2014 – L, 35-17 Pittsburg State
2015 – W, 45-24 Fort Hays State
2016 – W, 69-10 Pittsburg State
2017 – W, 19-0 Lindenwood
2018 – W, 27-13 Nebraska-Kearney
2019 – Lincoln
 
DON BLACK AWARD
The Don Black Award is presented to the most valuable player in the annual Homecoming contest. The award has been given out since 1972 and 42 student-athletes have received the honor. Don Black was a running back for the Bearcats from 1951-1953 and helped lead Northwest to an MIAA title in 1952.

Don Black Award Winners
1972 - Jim Albin, TB
1973 - Mike Williams, G
1974 - Claude Arnick, HB
1975 - Steve Miller, FB
1976 - Kirk Mathews, QB
1977 - Shawn Geraghty, K
1978 - Dave Toti, S
1979 - Mark Smith, QB
1980 - Greg Lees, DB
1981 - Gary Hogue, TE
1982 - Dale DeBourge, RB
1983 - Dale DeBourge, RB
1984 - Steve Hansley, WR
1985 - Dan Anderson, WR
1986 - Junior Mao, DL
1987 - Paul Watkins, DB
1988 - Wes Camp, WR
1989 - Shannon Rooney, DB
1990 - Dave Svehla, LB
1991 - Ed Tillison, FB
1992 - Joseph Johnson, QB
1993 - Chris Brooks, HB
1994 - Ryan Scheib - K/P
1995 - Greg Teale, QB
1996 - Jesse Haynes, RB
1997 - Chris Griesen, QB
1998 - Chris Griesen, QB
1999 - Tony Miles, WR
2000 - Tony Miles, WR
2001 - Ryan Hackett, RB
2002 - Damien Chumley, S
2003 - Chad Bostwick, LB
2004 - Jamaica Rector, WR
2005 - Josh Lamberson, QB
2006 - Myles Burnsides, SS
2007 - Jared Erspamer, LB
2008 - Joel Osborn, QB
2009 - Blake Bolles, QB
2010 - Blake Bolles, QB
2011 - Blake Christopher, QB
2012 - Jordan Simmons, RB
2013 - Billy Creason, RB
2014 - Jared Fox, SS
2015 - Brady Bolles, QB
2016 - Kyle Zimmerman, QB
2017 - Shane Williams, WR
2018 - Jack Richards, DB

600-WIN MARK
Northwest will look to become the seventh NCAA Division II school to record 600 or more victories on Saturday.
    Northwest has compiled an all-time record of 599-403-33.
    
NCAA Division II Football Wins
1. Pittsburg State    718
2. Tuskegee    694
3. Hillsdale    643
4. Carson-Newman    637
    Central Oklahoma    637
6. West Chester    633
7. Northwest Mo. St.    599
source: NCAA Football Record Book/Each Institution's SID

ALL-TIME VS. LINCOLN
Northwest holds a 16-6-1 lead in the all-time series vs. Lincoln. The teams have not met since the 2011 season when the Bearcats scored a 73-7 win. Lincoln's last game in Maryville came Nov. 14, 1987 with the Bearcats scoirng a 35-18 triumph. The teams first met in 1968.

M-CLUB HALL OF FAME
The M-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2019's individual inductees include early age inductees Venus Harris (women's track & field), Dale Kisker (baseball) and David Crozier (NCAA FAR) along with modern age inductees Malcolm Harrison (men's tennis), Danae (Wagner) Ites (women's basketball), Tyler Shaw (men's track & field/football) and Jake Soy (football).
    The Class of 2019 will be inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame during the annual festivities on Friday., Oct. 25 in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom and will be recognized at halftime of the football game.

CELEBRATING RETURN OF THREE TEAMS SATURDAY
Northwest will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the 1979 MIAA championship football team, the 20-year anniversary of the 1999 national championship team and the 10-year anniversary of the 2009 national title squad.

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 25-7 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.
    Malik Hoskins was elevated to the position of interim head football coach in May of 2019 after spending the previous two seasons as Lincoln's offensive coordinator. He is in his third season with the Blue Tigers. A 23-year coaching veteran, Hoskins was at Lane from 2008-2015, serving as the offensive coordinator and later as the interim head coach. Hoskins also served as the head track & field coach at Lane from 2008-2014. Before coming to Lincoln, Hoskins worked at Bacone in 2016, where he coached six offensive players who earned all-conference recognition.

NO. 10 IN SCORING OFFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 10 in the nation in scoring offense at 42.4 points per game.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Offense
1. Central Missouri    50.9 ppg
2. Indianapolis        50.3 ppg
3. Slippery Rock    50.1 ppg
4. Notre Dame    (Ohio)    49.0 ppg
5. Indiana (Pa.)        47.0 ppg
6. Lenoir-Rhyne    46.1 ppg
7. Tarleton State    44.9 ppg
8. Missouri Western    43.6 ppg
    Valdosta State    43.6 ppg
10. Northwest Mo. St.    46.7 ppg


BEARCATS STOP THE RUN
Northwest is tops in the MIAA in rushing defense by giving up only 97.3 yards per game.
    Nebraska-Kearney quarterback T.J. Davis became the first individual to rush for 100 yards against a Bearcat defense in nearly five years. Minnesota Duluth's Drew Bauer rushed for 131 yards on Nov. 22, 2014, in an NCAA Division II playoff game.

NO LAUNDRY ON THE FIELD
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in fewest penalties (34), fewest penalties per game (4.86), fewest penalty yards (307) and fewest penalty yards per game (43.86).

EFFICIENT PASS DEFENSE
The numbers don't lie as Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in team passing efficiency defense (117.3).
    Bearcat opponents have completed a league-low 44.6 percent of their passes.

NO. 6 IN INTERCEPTIONS
Northwest ranks tied for No. 6 in the nation in passes intercepted with 12.

NCAA Div. II Passes Intercepted
1. Winona State    15
    Glenville State    15
3. Bowie State        13
    Saginaw Valley St.    13
    California (Pa.)    13
6. Bemidji State    12
    Minnesota State    12
    Sioux Falls        12
    Tiffin            12
    Quincy        12
    Gannon        12
    Northwest Mo. St.    12

FOUR DEFENSIVE SCORES
The Bearcats rank third 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.

RED-ZONE SCORING
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in red zone scoring offense. The Bearcats have scored on 22 of their 23 trips inside the red-zone this season for a 95.7 percent scoring percentage.
    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 16 touchdowns and has made six field goals in its 23 red-zone scores.

GO FOR IT
Northwest has converted 6-of-8 fourth down conversions, which is tops in the MIAA and ranks tied for No. 9 in the nation.

Northwest's 4th Down Opportunities
1-of-1 vs. Central Oklahoma
3-of-4 at Emporia State
2-of-3 vs. Pittsburg State

IMONI TO THE HOUSE
Junior wide receiver Imoni Donadelle has scored a touchdown in five consecutive games and leads the team in total touchdowns (7).
    Donadelle has scored via receiving (5), rushing (1) and kick return (1).
    Donadelle is the top receiver on the squad with 20 receptions for 381 yards.
    Donadelle is averaging 19.0 yards per catch, 23.0 yards per rush and 42.4 yards per kick return. He has touched the ball 30 times for 617 yards. Donadelle is averaging 23.6 yards per touch in 2019.
    Donadelle ranks No. 13 in the MIAA in all-purpose yards per game (101.1).

SEVEN STRAIGHT MADE FGS
Kicker Parker Sampson's streak of seven straight made field goals is longest active streak for consecutive field goals made in the MIAA.
    Sampson's kicks have come from 45, 35, 53, 41, 27, 41, 36. He also leads the Bearcats in scoring with 67 points.

SAMPSON RANKS 9TH
IN NATION IN SCORING
Junior kicker Parker Sampson ranks No. 9 in the nation in scoring with 62 points.

NCAA Div. II Individual Scoring
1. Jaleel McLaughlin (Notre Dame)    114
2. Duane Brown (Indiana, Pa.)    90
3. Jared Vincent (Pittsburg St.)    83
4. Garrett Owens (Mercyhurst)    72
    Zimari Manning (Tarleton St.)    72
    Ontario Douglas (East Central)    72
7. Justin Watts (Glenville St.)    70
8. Markel Smith (Mo. Western)    68
9. Parker Sampson (Northwest Mo. St.)    67

PARKER MOVES UP KICKING LISTS
Junior kicker Parker Sampson has made 27 career field goals, which ranks No. 7 among Bearcat kickers in the history of the program.
    Sampson also ranks No. 5 in Bearcat history in extra points made (102).

Career Field Goals Made
1.    Simon Mathiesen (2013-16)    61
2.    David Purnell (1996-99)        52
3.    Tommy Frevert     (2005-08)        41
4.    Todd Adolf (2009-12)        33
5.    Peter Rameh (1985-88)        32
6.    Eddie Ibarra (1999-02)        29
7.    Parker Sampson (2017-pres.)    27
8.    Steve Stokes (1973-77)        19
9.    Shawn Geraghty (1977-79)    18
10.    Luis Berlanga (2002-04)        16

Career Extra Points Made
1.    Todd Adolf (2009-12)        272
2.    Tommy Frevert     (2005-08)        263
3.    David Purnell (1996-99)        241
4.    Simon Mathiesen (2013-16)    237
5.    Parker Sampson (2017-pres.)    102
6.    Eddie Ibarra (1999-02)        94
7.    Peter Rameh (1985-88)        83
8.    Steve Stokes (1973-77)        80
9.    Luis Berlanga (2002-04)        74
10.    Andy Timmerman (2000)        67

TREY TOPS MIAA IN PICKS
Trey Washington leads the MIAA in interceptions with four.
    Washington is tied for the MIAA lead in passes defensed (12).

BLAKE LEADS THE WAY
Junior safety Blake Bayer is tied for the MIAA lead in tackles-for-loss (7.5). Bayer also leads Northweest in total tackles (51) and solo tackles (39).

THE TRUFFLE SHUFFLE
Sophomore Zach Howard has posted 4.5 quarterback sacks to rank No. 3 in the MIAA. Howard is known to perform "The Truffle Shuffle" after each sack.

HOHENSEE DOES IT ALL
Redshirt freshman Mike Hohensee is doing everything he can to contribute to the Bearcat football team.
    Hohensee ranks third on the team in rushing yards (198) and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
    As a quarteback, Hohensee has completed 10-of-12 passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns.
    Hohensee is averaging 40.2 yards per punt and has had 16 punts downed inside the 20-yard line for the season. He has had six punts of 50 or more yards, including a long of 64 yards.

RANKIN CARRIES THE LOAD
Senior running back Justin Rankin has rushed for 580 yards on 112 carries and has scored four rushing touchdowns.
    Rankin has totaled 2,155 career rushing yards on 460 carries and has scored 14 rushing touchdowns in 41 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 Mo. Western - 130 yds.
9/21/19 at Mo. Southern - 150 yds.

13 DIFFERENT BEARCATS FIND END ZONE
Through seven games, 13 different Northwest players have found the end zone.
    Imoni Donadelle has scored a team-high seven touchdowns. Justin Rankin has scored six touchdowns. Braden Wright has scored five touchdowns. Marqus Andrews has scored four touchdowns. Mike Hohensee and LaTroy Harper each have found the end zone three times. Alec Tatum, Isaiah Strayhorn and Sam Phillips each have two touchdowns. Kaden Davis, Braden Dey, Jerrell Green and Kyle Raunig have each found the end zone once.

FOURTH QUARTER DEFENSE
Northwest is finishing strong in the fourth quarter in 2019. The Bearcats have outscored their opponents in the fourth, 62-20.

MARQUS FINDS END ZONE
Senior tight end Marqus Andrews caught three first-half touchdown passes to lead Northwest to a 38-17 win over Pittsburg State at Arrowhead Stadium. For his performance, Andrews was named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week.
    Andrews had three total receptions for 61 yards against the Gorillas. Andrews also rushed once for eight yards. Andrews returned two kickoffs for 25 yards including a long of 17.
    Andrews's first touchdown game on a six-yard shovel pass from Braden Wright that leveled the game at 7-7 with 8:33 left in the first quarter.
    His second score came on a 20-yard pass from Mike Hohensee with 5:08 left in the first quarter to give Northwest a 14-7 advantage.
    His final catch of the day came on a fourth down at the Gorilla 35-yard line. The Bearcats lined up to kick a field goal, then shifted into a potential punting formation. Andrews leaked out down the middle of the field and Hohensee hit him for a 35-yard touchdown strike that gave Northwest a commanding 28-7 lead with 6:21 left in the second quarter.

2ND MIAA HONOR FOR SAM
Sophomore linebacker Sam Phillips earned his second MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honor for his play against Pittsburg State.
    Phillips totaled a team-high 11 tackles (eight solos) and a tackle-for-loss in Northwest's 38-17 win over Pittsburg State at Arrowhead Stadium. Pittsburg State entered the game having averaged 204.4 yards per game - Phillips and the Bearcat defense limited the Gorillas to 87 net rushing yards on 35 attempts.
    Pitt State had 12 rushing touchdowns on the season but did not have a rushing score on Saturday against the Bearcats.

CAREER RUSHING MARK FOR BRADEN
Quarterback Braden Wright rushed for a career-high 172 yards and a touchdown in leading Northwest to a 38-17 win over previously unbeaten Pittsburg State at Arrowhead Stadium.
    Wright averaged 10.1 yards per carry and scored the final touchdown of the game on a 48-yard keeper.
    It's the second 100-plus rushing game of Wright's career. He rushed for 118 yards against Washburn on Sept. 6, 2018.

STINGY DEFENSE
Northwest locked up a 34-23 road victory with a stifling defensive performance. After Northwest took a 25-23 lead, Emporia State ran 25 plays and was limited to five yards of total offense. ESU was held to one first down in the final 22:12 of game time.

SAMPSON NAMED MIAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF WEEK
Junior Parker Sampson was named the MIAA's football special teams player of the week.
    Sampson was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals, including a career-long 53-yarder in a 34-23 win at Emporia State. The 53-yarder is the longest made field goal this season in the MIAA.
    Sampson had made 8- of-11 field goals and 30-of-31 extra points in 2019.
    
53-YARDER RANKS SECOND IN BEARCAT HISTORY
Parker Sampson's 53-yard field goal ties for the second-longest field goal in Bearcat football history. Pat Johnson booted a 54-yard field goal vs. Washburn on Sept. 23, 1987.
    It is the second 50-yard or plus field goal in Sampson's collegiate career. Sampson made a 50-yard field goal at Northeastern State on Oct. 27, 2018.

Longest Field Goal Made (Game)
1.    Pat Johnson vs. Washburn (9/23/87)    54
2.    Shawn Geraghty at William Jewell (9/17/77)    53
    Parker Sampson at Emporia St. (10/5/19)    53
4.    Peter Rameh at Mo. Western (9/19/87)    52
    Peter Rameh vs. Mo. Western (9/17/88)    52
6.    Peter Rameh vs. Washburn (9/10/88)    51
    Luis Berlanga vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (11/20/04)    51
    Luis Berlanga at Pittsburg St. (11/27/04)    51

FOUR FIELD GOALS MADE
Parker Sampson's four field goals made in a game ranks tied for the second-best mark in program history.
    Simon Mathiesen made five field goals vs. Harding on Dec. 3, 2016.
    Mathiesene also made four in a game along with Coreye Paetznick, Tommy Frevert and Sampson.

Most Field Goals Made (Game)
1.    Simon Mathiesen vs. Harding (12/3/16)    5
2.    Corey Paetznick vs. Mo. Southern (10/11/03)    4
    Tommy Frevert vs. Bloomsburg (12/10/16)    4
    Simon Mathiesen vs. Humboldt St. (11/25/15)    4
    Parker Sampson at Emporia St. (10/5/19)    4
6.    14 times    3

MIKE HAS A BOOT
Mike Hohensee punted six times for a 50.3 average in Northwest's 34-23 win at Emporia State.
    Five of his six punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. Hohensee's punts went 64 (downed at 1), 52 (downed at 12), 52 (downed at 14), 62 (downed at 5), 40 (downed at 13), 32 (downed at 48).

BAYER LEADS THE CHARGE
Junior safety Blake Bayer logged 11 tackles, including an MIAA-season best 4.0 tackles-for-loss in Northwest's 34-23 win at Emporia State.
    His 4.0 tackles-for-loss ties for the 8th-best single-game total in Bearcat history.
    Bayer notched 10 solo stops to go along with his four tackles for loss that netted seven yards lost.

50 OR MORE POINTS
Northwest eclipsed the 50-point mark for the second time this season in its 59-10 win over Central Oklahoma.
    It's the second straight week that Northwest 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).

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

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 set a career-high in passing yards on each of the last three Saturdays in September.
    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.

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.

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 113-17 for an .869 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

BEARCATS AT ARROWHEAD
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 12-3 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.

Arrowhead Matchups vs. PSU
W, 29-7 (Oct. 17, 2002)
W, 20-19 (Nov. 15, 2003)
L, 21-17 (Nov. 6, 2004)
L, 56-35 (Oct. 29, 2005)
W, 41-14 (Nov. 4, 2006)
W, 37-34 OT (Oct. 6, 2007)
W, 35-10 (Oct. 4, 2008)
W, 30-10 (Sept. 12, 2009)
W, 22-16 (Nov. 13, 2010)
L, 38-35 (Oct. 1, 2011)
W, 31-21 (Oct. 13, 2012)
W, 24-15 (Oct. 19, 2013)
W, 38-17 (Oct. 12, 2019)

Arrowhead Matchups vs. UCM
W, 42-17 (Oct. 1, 2016)
W, 24-20 (Sept. 30, 2017)

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.

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 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).