Northwest Football Game Notes (PDF)

Game No. 10 - #12/#14 Northwest Missouri State (8-1) at Fort Hays State (7-2)
Sat., Nov. 9 | 2 p.m. | Hays, Kansas | Lewis Field Stadium (6,362)

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

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.FHSUAthletics.com
Tickets - www.FHSUAthletics.com

THIS WEEK'S GAME
Northwest Missouri State will travel to Fort Hays State on Saturday for a matchup with the Tigers. Kick is set for 2 p.m. in Hays, Kansas.

ALL-TIME VS. FHSU TIGERS
Northwest is 19-14-1 all-time vs. Fort Hays State. The Tigers and Bearcats first met Sept. 22, 1950.
    The Tigers have won the last two meetings between the two programs by one point in each game. Both games were played at Bearcat Stadium with the Tigers scoring a 13-12 win in 2017 and a 17-16 victory in 2018.
    Northwest has won the last six meetings between the two in Hays, Kansas. The last time Northwest dropped a game in Hays came on Nov. 4, 1978., when FHSU recorded a 36-21 triumph.

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 27-7 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.
    Chris Brown is in his ninth year as head football coach at Fort Hays State. He is the all-time coaching wins leader in program history, now with a record of 65-36. In his nine years guiding the program, Brown has built the Tigers into a perennial contender for the NCAA postseason, guiding the program to the playoffs in each of the last two years. The Tigers have made appearances in postseason games in each of the last four years, which includes a pair of appearances in bowl games. The program has a record of 36-12 over the last four seasons, winning at least eight games each year. Brown is the two-time reigning MIAA Coach of the Year, earning the honor in both 2017 and 2018.

DEFENSIVE BATTLE PLANNED
Saturday's game will feature the MIAA's top two scoring defenses.
    Northwest leads the league in scoring defense at 18.8 points given up per game, while Fort Hays State ranks second at 21.2 points allowed per contest.

THREE STRAIGHT LOSSES TO SAME MIAA FOE?
Fort Hays State is looking to score a third straight win over Northwest on Saturday.
    Northwest has not lost three straight games to an MIAA foe since Pittsburg State won three in a row against the Bearcats in 2004 and 2005. The Gorillas topped the Bearcats twice in 2004 and once in 2005.

PUTTING UP ZEROES
The Bearcat defense has not allowed an opposing offense to score a touchdown in nine consecutive quarters heading into Saturday's game at Fort Hays State.
    Northwest pitched its first shutout of the season and the eighth under head coach Rich Wright in a 79-0 win over Northeastern State.
    In the previous week against Lincoln, Northwest allowed nine points to the Blue Tigers but all nine points came when the Bearcat offense was on the field. Lincoln scored on an interception return and on a safety.

BEARCATS STOP THE RUN
Northwest is tops in the MIAA in rushing defense by giving up only 90.4 yards per game.

NO LAUNDRY ON THE FIELD
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in fewest penalties (43), fewest penalties per game (4.78), fewest penalty yards (401) and fewest penalty yards per game (44.56).

EFFICIENT PASS DEFENSE
The numbers don't lie as Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in team passing efficiency defense (100.28).
    Bearcat opponents have completed a league-low 44.1 percent of their passes.

GETTING PICKY ON DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in passes intercepted. The Bearcats have tallied 13 interceptions and nine different players have recorded picks.
    Sophomore cornerback Trey Washington is tied with Central Missouri's Kolesen Crane and Pittsburg State's KiAnte Harden for the MIAA lead in interceptions with four.
    Washington is tops in the MIAA in passes defensed (15).

NO. 2 IN SCORING OFFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring offense at 48.0 points per game. Northwest has scored 50 or more points four times this season.

NCAA Div. II Scoring Offense
1. Central Missouri    48.8 ppg
2. Northwest Mo. St.    48.0 ppg
3. Tarleton State    47.2 ppg
4. Indianapolis        47.1 ppg
5. Slippery Rock    47.0 ppg
6. Minnesota State    46.9 ppg
7. Indiana (Pa.)        46.0 ppg
8. Notre Dame    (Ohio)    44.7 ppg
9. Tiffin            44.6 ppg
10. Colo. Mines    43.7 ppg

79 FOR NORTHWEST
Northwest scored 79 points against Northeastern State to rank as the second-highest scoring output in school history.

Northwest Points in a Single Game
1. 86 vs. Southwest Baptist (9/29/07)
2. 79 vs. Northeastern St. (11/2/19)
3. 77 vs. MSU Moorhead (8/28/04)
4. 74 vs. Northeastern St. (10/15/16)
5. 73 vs. Lincoln (9/17/11)
6. 72 vs. Central Okla. (10/12/13)
7. 70 vs. Fort Hays St. (9/24/11)
    70 vs. Truman St. (9/26/09)
    70 vs. Missouri S&T (11/4/00)
    70 vs. Central Okla. (10/6/12)

RED-ZONE SCORING
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in red zone scoring offense. The Bearcats have scored on 27 of their 28 trips inside the red-zone this season for a 96.4 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 21 touchdowns and has made six field goals in its 27 red-zone scores.

NCAA Div. II Red-Zone Scoring
1. Central Oklahoma        .960
2. UNC Pembroke        .962
3. Northwest Mo. State    .962
4. Mississippi College        .955
5. Southern Arkansas        .935
6. Catawba            .929
7. Fort Valley State        .943
8. Limestone            .926
9. Tarleton State        .923
10. Fort Valley State        .921

3RD-BEST SCORING GAME IN '19
Northwest's 79 points vs. the RiverHawks are also the third-most points scored this season in a game by an NCAA Division II school.

Most Points - Single Game in 2019
1. Mo. Southern (vs. NSU)    86
2. Minnesota St. (vs. Crookston)    81
3. Northwest Mo. St. (vs. NSU)    79
4. Fort Valley St. (vs. Central St.)    77
    Indiana (Pa.) (vs. Lock Haven)    77
6. Shepherd (vs. East Stroudsburg)    76
7. Findlay (vs. Alderson-Broaddus)    75
8. Minnesota St. (vs. Mary)    74
9. Kingsville (vs. Sul Ross St.)    72
10. Central Missouri (vs. Mo. Southern)    71

SIX DEFENSIVE SCORES
The Bearcats rank tied for second in the nation with six defensive touchdowns in 2019.
    Sam Phillips recorded a fumble return and an interception returns for touchdowns in the season opener at Missouri Western. The win against Missouri Southern produced defensive scores from Jerrell Green (INT) and Braden Day (INT).
    Northwest added two more defensive touchdowns against Northeastern State with an 18-yard fumble return by Mike Ehlke and a 52-yard interception return by Jacob Gassman.

Defensive Touchdowns
1. South Dakota Mines        7
2. Northwest Mo. St.        6
    Colorado State-Pueblo    6
    Glenville St.            6
    Tarleton St.            6
6. Truman St.            5
    California (Pa.)        5
    Harding            5

PIERCE GRABS MIAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK HONOR
Senior defensive lineman Zach Pierce has been named the MIAA's football co-defensive player of the week for his play in a win over Northeastern State.
    It marks eighth time this season that the Bearcat football team has had a player earn one of the league's weekly honors.
    Pierce (Gladbrook, Iowa/Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS) made his first career start and recorded four tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a quarterback sack and a forced fumble as No. 14 Northwest shut out Northeastern State, 79-0. Pierce forced a first quarter fumble. The loose ball was scooped by teammate Mike Ehlke for an 18-yard touchdown return with 8:21 left in the first to give Northwest a commanding 21-0 lead. Pierce and the Bearcat defense limited the RiverHawks to 130 total yards (26 rushing, 130 passing) in the game.

17 TACKLES-FOR-LOSS VS NSU
The Bearcat defense tallied 17 tackles-for-loss in its 79-0 win over Northeastern State.
     The 17 TFLs rank as the sixth-best single-game total by a Division II team in 2019.
    It is the most TFLs by an MIAA team in a game this season.

IMONI = BIG PLAYS
Junior wide receiver Imoni Donadelle had a streak of scoring a touchdown in six straight games snapped on Saturday vs. Northeastern State.
    Donadelle ranks second on the team with eight total touchdowns.Donadelle has scored via receiving (6), rushing (1) and kick return (1).
    Donadelle is the top receiver on the squad with 25 receptions for 501 yards.
    Donadelle is averaging 20.0 yards per catch, 23.0 yards per rush and 42.7 yards per kick return. He has touched the ball 36 times for 872 yards. Donadelle is averaging 24.22 yards per touch in 2019.
    Donadelle ranks No. 14 in the MIAA in all-purpose yards per game (96.9).

ANDREWS TO THE END ZONE
Senior tight end Marqus Andrews is finding his way into the end zone quite often in 2019.
    Andrews is tied for the team lead with Imoni Donadelle in touchdown receptions with six.
    Andrews added two more touchdown catches with scores from 43 and 5 yards vs. the RiverHawks.

SAMPSON DRILLS 10 EXTRA PTS
Junior kicker Parker Sampson made all 10 extra points he attempted in Northwest's 79-0 win over Northeastern State. His 10 extra points is tied for the second-most extra points made in a game by a Bearcat kicker.
    Luis Berlanga made 11 extra points in against MSU Moorhead on Aug. 8, 2004 as Northwest scored a 77-12 victory.

SAMPSON RANKS 10TH
IN NATION IN SCORING
Sampson ranks No. 10 in the nation in scoring with 85 points. Sampson ranks second in scoring among kickers, trailing only Pittsburg State's Jared Vincent (88 points).

NCAA Div. II Individual Scoring
1. Jaleel McLaughlin (Notre Dame)    144
2. Duane Brown (Indiana, Pa.)    102
    Brockton Brown (Ouachita Bap.)    102
    Zimari Manning (Tarleton St.)    102
    Craig Rucker (Mars Hill)        102
6. Mike Strachan (Charleston)    96
7. Nate Gunn (Minnesota State)    90
    Thuro Reisdorfer (Sioux Falls)    90
9. Jared Vincent (Pittsburg St.)    88
10. Parker Sampson (Northwest Mo. St.)    85

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 (120).

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.)    120
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

SPENCER FOR HIRE
Senior Spencer Phillips leads the MIAA in tackles-for-loss (9.5). Phillips has posted at least one TFL in eight of the nine games this season.

BLAKE LEADS THE WAY
Junior safety Blake Bayer leads Northwest in total tackles (54) and solo tackles (40).

THE TRUFFLE SHUFFLE
Sophomore Zach Howard has posted 6.0 quarterback sacks to rank No. 3 in the MIAA. Howard prouldy performs "The Truffle Shuffle" after each sack.

RANKIN BUSTS OUT
Senior running back Justin Rankin rushed for a career-high 211 yards and four touchdowns in Northwest's win over Northeastern State.
    Rankin became the first Northwest player to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since James Franklin went for 229 yards against Emporia State (Nov. 12, 2011).
    Rankin also produced the 14th four-rushing touchdown performance in a game by a Bearcat.
    He was able to reach these marks on only 12 total carries.

RANKIN TOATS THE ROCK
Justin Rankin ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in rushing yards per game (90.0).
    He has rushed for 810 yards on 133 carries and has scored nine rushing touchdowns.
    Rankin has totaled 2,385 career rushing yards on 481 carries and has scored 19 rushing touchdowns in 43 collegiate games. Rankin played his previous three seasons at Kent State University.
    Rankin has produced five 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.
11/2/19 vs. Northeastern St. - 211 yds.

RAWIE WOWS 'EM
Redshirt freshman Robert Rawie made the most of his three carries vs. Northeastern State by taking two of them to the house for touchdowns.
    Rawie scored on touchdown runs of 32 yards and 26 yards.
    Rawie rushed three times for 55 yards (18.3 average).

19 DIFFERENT BEARCATS FIND END ZONE
Through nine games, 19 different Northwest players have found the end zone.

Justin Rankin        12 TDs
Imoni Donadelle    8 TDs
Marqus Andrews    6 TDs
Braden Wright        6 TDs
LaTroy Harper        4 TDs
Mike Hohensee    3 TDs
Isaiah Strayhorn    3 TDs
Sam Phillips        2 TDs
Alec Tatum        2 TDs
Robert Rawie        2 TDs
Mike Ehlke        1 TD
Kyle Raunig        1 TD
Gus Gomez        1 TD
Braden Dey        1 TD
Jacob Gassman    1 TD
Jerrell Green        1 TD
Raymond Thomas    1 TD
Giavonni Guido    1 TD
Kaden Davis        1 TD

SUPER REGION RANKINGS
Northwest moved down a slot to No. 7 in the second NCAA Division II Super Region rankings released on Monday.
    Northwest (8-1 overall) is one of four MIAA teams in the Super Region Three rankings. Central Missouri (9-0) is the top MIAA team at No. 2. Northwest is No. 7, while Missouri Western (7-2) is No. 8 and Fort Hays State (7-2) is No. 10.
    Ferris State (8-0) is No. 1 in the regional ranking.
    The Bearcats will play at Fort Hays State (Nov. 9) and at home against Central Missouri (Nov. 16).

SUPER REGION ONE
1. Kutztown 9-0
2. Slippery Rock 9-0
3. Notre Dame (Ohio) 9-0
4. Indiana (Pa.) 8-1
5. Shepherd 7-2
6. Urbana 7-2
7. West Chester 7-2
8. West Virginia State 6-2
9. Tiffin 7-1
10. Ohio Dominican 5-2

SUPER REGION TWO
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 9-0
2. Valdosta State 8-0
3. Bowie State 9-0
4. Wingate 8-1
5. West Florida 6-1
6. Carson-Newman 6-2
7. Virginia State 7-1
8. Virginia Union 6-2
9. Albany State 6-3
10. West Georgia 6-3

SUPER REGION THREE
1. Ferris State 9-0
2. Central Missouri 9-0
3. Ouachita Baptist 9-0
4. Harding 8-1
5. Indianapolis 7-1
6. Grand Valley State 8-1
7. Northwest Missouri State 8-1
8. Missouri Western 7-2
9. Henderson State 8-1
10. Fort Hays State 7-2

SUPER REGION FOUR
1. Tarleton State 7-0
2. Minnesota State 9-0
3. Colorado School of Mines 9-0
4. Colorado State-Pueblo 8-1
5. Angelo State 8-1
6. Texas A&M-Commerce - 6-2
7. Augustana (S.D.) 7-2
8. Sioux Falls 7-2
9. Winona State 7-2
10. Dixie State 7-2

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.

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

PROGRAM OF THE DECADE
Northwest is the winningest NCAA Div. II program of this decade from 2010-2018. Northwest is 116-17 for an .872 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.

600 BEARCAT VICTORIES
Northwest became the seventh NCAA Division II school to record 600 or more victories. Northwest has compiled an all-time record of 601-403-33.
    
NCAA Division II Football Wins
1. Pittsburg State    718
2. Tuskegee    696
3. Hillsdale    645
4. Carson-Newman    639
    Central Oklahoma    639
6. West Chester    634
7. Northwest Mo. St.    601
source: NCAA Football Record Book/Each Institution's SID

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)

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.