After clinching the program's 31st MIAA regular season conference title with a 35-7 win over Emporia State, a pair of Northwest Missouri State University football players were named the league's athletes of the week presented by Mammoth Turf.

Senior defensive lineman Sam Roberts (Waynesville, Mo.) collected his second MIAA defensive athlete of the week award, while senior running back Al McKeller (Indianapolis, Ind.) earned his first MIAA offensive athlete of the week honor.

Roberts tallied seven tackles, a sack and a tackle-for-loss as the Bearcat defense held Emporia State to 101 total yards (16 rushing, 85 passing) in clinching the programs 31st MIAA regular season crown. ESU came into the game averaging 455.8 yards of total offense per game. ESU's previous total offense low in 2021 came when it was held to 292 yards against Washburn (Oct. 2). Roberts and the Bearcats defense held ESU to only 51 total plays - ESU's lowest play total this season. Roberts leads the Bearcats in tackles-for-loss (12.5) in 2021. He has tallied 42.5 career tackles-for-loss.

McKeller gained 169 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns in helping Northwest to the outright MIAA regular season title. McKeller had rushing scores from seven yards, 27 yards and four yards in the victory. Seven of McKeller's 31 carries resulted in first downs for the Bearcats. In total, the Bearcat ground game posted 347 yards on 61 carries with 15 of the totes resulting in first downs. McKeller leads the MIAA in rushing with 1,337 yards.

All told, Northwest has recorded eight MIAA player of the week honors in the 2021 season.

Northwest (9-1 overall) will open the 2021 NCAA Division II playoffs at home against Central Washington University (8-2 overall). Kick is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

Northwest's MIAA Athlete of the Week Honor Roll
Mike Hohensee - Special Teams (Sept. 6)
Jackson Barnes - Defense (Sept. 20)
Alec Tatum - Offense (Sept. 27)
Jackson Barnes - Defense (Sept. 27)
Sam Roberts - Defense (Oct. 11)
Mike Hohensee - Offense (Nov. 1)
Sam Roberts - Defense (Nov. 15)
Al McKeller - Offense (Nov. 15)