Game No. 1 - No. 4 Northwest Missouri State (0-0) at Fort Hays State (0-0)
Thursday, Sept. 2 | 7 p.m. (CT) | Hays, Kan. | Lewis Field Stadium (6,362)

LIVE STREAM | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS
Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Matt Tritten
Radio Sideline: Calvin Silvers

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team will open its 2021 season Thursday against the Fort Hays State University Tigers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest is 20-14-1 all-time vs. Fort Hays State. The Tigers and Bearcats first met Sept. 22, 1950. Northwest has won the last seven meetings between the two in Hays, Kansas. The last time Northwest dropped a game in Hays came on Sept. 24, 1977, when FHSU recorded a 42-28 triumph.

Northwest Results vs. FHSU
L, 21-14 vs. FHSU (9/22/50)
L, 20-7 at FHSU (9/22/51)
W, 7-6 vs. FHSU (9/19/52)
W, 21-7 vs. FHSU (10/16/53)
L, 20-7 at FHSU (10/2/54)
L, 21-7 vs. FHSU (10/1/55)
L, 19-13 at FHSU (9/29/56)
L, 40-27 vs. FHSU (9/28/57)
L, 13-0 at FHSU (9/26/58)
W, 13-8 vs. FHSU (9/26/59)
W, 14-9 at FHSU (9/24/60)
W, 17-16 vs. FHSU (9/23/61)
L, 21-0 at FHSU (9/22/62)
T, 7-7 vs. FHSU (9/21/63)
L, 29-7 vs. FHSU (10/8/66)
L, 14-3 at FHSU (10/5/68)
W, 35-14 vs. FHSU (10/4/69)
L, 42-28 at FHSU (9/24/77)
L, 36-22 vs. FHSU (9/23/78)
W, 17-7 at FHSU (9/22/79)
W, 19-14 vs. FHSU (9/20/80)
W, 59-0 vs. FHSU (10/21/06)
W, 17-0 at FHSU (10/20/07)
W, 56-7 vs. FHSU (10/18/08)
W, 66-40 at FHSU (10/31/09)
W, 45-27 vs. FHSU (10/16/10)
W, 70-17 vs. FHSU (9/24/11)
W, 48-10 vs. FHSU (9/15/12)
W, 49-14 at FHSU (9/21/13)
W, 29-10 at FHSU (10/25/14)
W, 45-24 vs. FHSU (10/24/15)
W, 28-7 at FHSU (11/5/16)
L, 13-12 vs. FHSU (11/5/17)
L, 17-16 vs. FHSU (11/3/18)
W, 36-33 (2OT) at FHSU (11/9/19)

NARROW MARGINS OF LATE BETWEEN 'CATS, TIGERS
The last three matchups between Northwest and Fort Hays State have included a double-overtime thriller and a pair of one-point margins. Northwest secured the 2019 MIAA title with a 36-33 double-overtime triumph in Hays, Kansas, on Nov. 9, 2019. The Tigers tallied a pair of one-point wins in Maryville over the Bearcats in 2017 (13-12) and in 2018 (17-16).

3RD-LONGEST STRETCH BETWEEN BEARCAT VICTORIES
When Sept. 2 arrives and Northwest takes the field at Fort Hays State, it will have been 642 days since a Bearcat victory on the football field. That is the third-longest stretch without a win in the history of Northwest football. The longest stretch between wins is 743 days (Oct. 27, 1916 - Nov. 9, 1918). The second-longest stretch is 700 days (Oct. 16, 1993 - Sept. 16, 1995).

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 Nine Season-Opening Contests
9/5/19        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

THE COACHES
Northwest is led by fifth-year head coach Rich Wright. Wright was named head coach at Northwest Missouri on Dec. 19, 2016. Wright has posted a 31-8 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 enters his 10th season as head coach at Fort Hays State in 2021. He is the all-time coaching wins leader in program history, now with a record of 66-37. Brown has built the Tigers into a perennial contender for the NCAA postseason, guiding the program to the playoffs in 2017 and 2018. The Tigers have made appearances in postseason games in four of the last five seasons, which includes a pair of appearances in bowl games. The program has a record of 44-15 over the last five seasons, winning at least eight games each year.

PROGRAM OF THE DECADE
Northwest is the winningest NCAA Div. II program of this decade from 2010-2019. Northwest is 119-19 for an .875 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.

50 ALL-TIME PLAYOFF WINS
The Bearcats are 50-17 all-time in the playoffs, which marks the most victories in Division II playoff history.
    Ferris State ranks No. 6 in Division II with 16 all-time playoff wins. The Bulldogs are 16-10 all-time in the Division II playoffs. Ferris State is making its sixth straight appearance in the playoffs.
    The Bearcats (.742) also rank No. 2 in highest winning percentage in the Division II playoffs. (minimum of 10 games played)

Most Division II Playoff Victories
Northwest Mo. St.    50
Grand Valley St.    35
North Alabama    35
North Dakota St.    30
Valdosta St.    26
Pittsburg St.    25
Indiana (Pa.)    22
Carson-Newman    20
North Dakota    18
Ferris St.    17
Delta St.    15
Jacksonville St.    15
Tex. A&M-Kingsville    15
UC Davis    15

Div. II Playoff Win Percentage
West Florida    9-1    .900
Northwest Mo. St.    50-18     .735
North Dakota State    30-12     .714
Grand Valley State    35-15     .700
Tex. A&M-Commerce    9-4    .692
Valdosta State    26-13     .667
North Alabama     35-18 .    660
Delta State     15-8     .652
Delaware     7-4     .636
Northern Colorado    12-7     .632
Jacksonville State    15-9     .625
Lenoir-Rhyne     8-5     .615
Pittsburg State     25-16     .610
Minn. Duluth     14-9     .609
Ferris State     17-11     .607
Portland State    12-8     .600
minimum of 10 games played

50-WIN PLAYOFF CLUB
Northwest became only the fourth NCAA school with 50 or more all-time playoff victories.
    Mount Union holds the all-time playoff record with 104 wins. North Dakota State ranks second with 67 playoff victories. Wisconsin-Whitewater has posted 53 playoff triumphs.
    NDSU won 30 NCAA Div. II playoff games before transitioning to FCS where the Bison have picked up 37 more playoff wins.

MEASURE UP WITH BEARCATS
Northwest owns an NCAA Division II playoff record 50 victories. The other current members of the MIAA have won a combined 40 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    50-18 (24 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    3-4 (4 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)

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 605-403-33.
    
NCAA Division II Football Wins
1. Pittsburg State    719
2. Tuskegee    696
3. Hillsdale    645
4. Carson-Newman    642
5. Central Oklahoma    640
6. West Chester    636
7. Northwest Mo. St.    605
source: NCAA Football Record Book/Each Institution's SID

MIAA CHAMPS
Northwest earned a share of the program's 30th MIAA regular season title in the 2019 season.
    The Bearcats have claimed six of the last seven MIAA crowns.
    It is the second MIAA title for head coach Rich Wright.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE
Northwest extended a pair of Division II playoff standards by earning a bid into the 2019 playoffs.
    Northwest earned its 24th overall appearance in the Div. II playoffs.
    The Bearcats extended their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 16 in a row.

Most Div. II Playoff Appearances
Northwest Missouri    24
North Alabama    21
Grand Valley State    19
Indiana (Pa.)    19
Pittsburg State    18
UC Davis    18
North Dakota State    17
Valdosta State    17
Carson-Newman    16
North Dakota    14
West Chester    14

Consecutive Div. II Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    16 (2004-pres.)
Grand Valley State    10 (2001-2010)
Pittsburg State    9    (1989-1997)
Albany State    8    (2004-2011)
Tex. A&M-Kingsville    7    (1992-1998)
Carson-Newman    7    (1993-1999)
UC Davis    7    (1996-2002)
North Alabama    7 (2005-2011)
North Dakota State    7 (1986-1986)
Valdosta State    6 (2000-2005)
Abilene Christian    6 (2006-2011)

DIVISION II'S ELITE PROGRAM
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.

NCAA Division II National Titles
Northwest Mo. St.    6
North Dakota State    5
Grand Valley State    4
Valdosta State        4
North Alabama    3
Minnesota Duluth    2
Northern Colorado    2
Pittsburg State    2
Texas State        2
Troy                2
15 others have one national title

BEARCATS PICKED TO WIN MIAA REGULAR SEASON TITLE, NO. 4 IN PRESEASON POLLS
Northwest has been tabbed as the top team by both the coaches and the media in the 2021 MIAA football preseason polls. Northwest was also pegged at No. 4 in the 2021 Preseason American Football Coaches' Association Top 25 Poll and the D2FootballCom Top 25 Poll.

NEW TO THE STAFF
Head coach Rich Wright added Todd Sturdy to the Bearcat coaching staff in the offseason.
    Sturdy will serve as the offensive coordinator at Northwest and he brings a wealth of coaching experience with him to Maryville. Sturdy has coached football at the FBS, FCS and NAIA levels for 28 years. He has served as an offensive coordinator in 20 seasons. In 14 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level, Sturdy has compiled a record of 96-51.
    Wright also added Roberto Davis to coach the Bearcat running backs and Zach Martin to serve as the Northwest wide receivers coach.

MCKELLER TRANSFERS FROM UINDY
Senior running back Al McKeller joined the Bearcat team in August following a transfer from the University of Indianapolis.
    McKeller rushed for 3,558 yards at UIndy and was a two-time Harlon Hill Award candidate. McKeller has tallied 42 career rushing touchdowns entering the season.

BRADEN CLIMBS TOTAL
OFFENSE CHART
Junior quarterback Braden Wright ranks No. 7 on the Northwest's all-time total offense chart. Wright has compiled 6,314 yards of total offense in his first two seasons as the Bearcat signal caller.
 
Northwest's Career Total Offense Chart
1. Brady Bolles (2012-15)                      9,296
2. Blake Bolles (2007-10)                       9,254
3. Trevor Adams (2013-13)              8,260
4. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)                 8,064
5. Chris Griesen (1995-98)                      7,574
6. Xavier Omon (2004-07)                      7,073
7. Braden Wright (2018-pr.)                   6,314
8. Travis Miles (1997-2000)                    6,276
9. Greg Teale (1993-96)                          6,094
10. John McManamin (1999-02)            6,074

WRIGHT CLIMBS BEARCAT PASSING TDS LIST
Junior quarterback Braden Wright begins the 2021 season tied for No. 8 on the Northwest's all-time total passing touchdowns list with 48.
 
Northwest's Career Passing TDs Chart
1. Blake Bolles (2012-15)                      79
2. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        74
3. Chris Greisen (1995-98)        68
4. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    65
5. Brady Bolles (2007-10)        56
6. Travis Miles (1997-00)        54
7. Greg Teale (1993-96)        52
8. John McMenamin (1999-02)    48
    Braden Wright (2018-pr.)    48
10. Brian Quinn (1980-84)        45

BRADEN NEARING BEARCAT RUSHING TOUCHDOWN LIST
Junior quarterback Braden Wright has rushed for 23 career touchdowns. He needs four more touchdowns to crack to the top-10 list for Bearcat career rushing scores.
    Wright is nine rushing scores away from equalling the most career rushing touchdowns by a Bearcat quarterback. Brady Bolles tallied 32 rushing touchdowns from 2012-15.
 
Northwest's Career Rushing TDs Chart
1. Xavier Omon (2004-07)        92
2. LaRon Council (2006-09)        59
3. David Jansen (1997-00)        43
4. Jordan Simmons (2009-12)    38
5. James Franklin (2011-12)        36
    Phil Jackson II (2013-16)        36
7. Derek Lane (1995-98)        32
    Brady Bolles (2012-15)        32
9. Jeremy Wilson (1988-91)        28
10. Billy Creason (2009-13)        27

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 19 players on the list, including 18 since 2003. In 2016, Kyle Zimmerman (QB) took home the top honor – Academic All-American of the Year – something no Bearcat had ever done. Northwest had two student-athletes, Jackson Barnes and Zach Howard, named to the 2020-21 CoSIDA Academic All-America(R) NCAA Division II football team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA).
    This marks the third time since 2018 that two Bearcats have earned Academic All-America honors after Marqus Andrews (first team in 2018, second team in 2019) and Ryan Spelhaug (first team in 2018 and 2019) each received recognition.

Northwest's Academic All-America Selections
Chip Gregory, LB - 1981 (First Team)
Josh Lamberson, QB - 2004 (First Team)
Troy Tysdahl, LB - 2004 (First Team)
Josh Lamberson, QB - 2005 (First Team)
Myles Burnsides, DB - 2008 (Second Team)
Myles Burnsides, DB - 2009 (First Team)
Sean Paddock, DL - 2009 (Second Team)
Jake Soy, WR - 2010 (Second Team)
Trevor Adams, QB - 2011 (Second Team)
Trevor Adams, QB - 2012 (Second Team)
Nate DeJong, DB - 2012 (Second Team)
Trevor Adams, QB - 2013 (First Team)
Eric Reimer, LB - 2013 (Second Team)
Eric Reimer, LB - 2014 (First Team)
Kyle Zimmerman, QB - 2016 (First Team)
Marqus Andrews, TE - 2018 (First Team)
Ryan Spelhaug, OL - 2018 (First Team)
Marqus Andrews, TE - 2019 (Second Team)
Ryan Spelhaug, OL - 2018 (First Team)
Jackson Barnes, LB - 2020-21 (Second Team)
Zach Howard, DT - 2020-21 (Second Team)

SHUTOUTS UNDER WRIGHT
Northwest has recorded eight shutouts under the direction of head coach Rich Wright, following a 79-0 blanking of Northeastern State (Nov. 2). The Bearcats posted five shutouts in 2017 and added two more in 2018.

SIX CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright has designated six captains for the 2021 football season. Wright has named linebacker Jackson Barnes (Kansas City, Mo.), defensive lineman Zach Howard (Bolivar, Mo.), offensive lineman Tanner Owen (Kearney, Mo.), defensive lineman Sam Roberts (Waynesville, Mo.), wide receiver Alec Tatum (Huntsville, Texas) and quarterback Braden Wright (Elkhorn, Neb.) as the team captains.

EIGHT GRADUATES TAKE THE FIELD THIS YEAR FOR 'CATS
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today released a list of 3,284 student-athletes who have already earned their undergraduate degrees and will be playing college football this fall while pursuing second diplomas. This season marks the fourth year the NFF has compiled the list of graduated players.
    Northwest will have eight student-athletes suiting up this season who have already claimed their undergraduate degrees.

Graduates Playing at Northwest
Jackson Barnes
Brody Buck
Tanner Owen
Bailey Pickering
Sam Roberts
John Rolls
Dominique Shelton
Dante Sparaco
Alec Tatum

RICH COMPANY FOR WRIGHT
Northwest head coach Rich Wright became only the third Bearcat head coach to increase his win totals in each of his first three seasons.
    Wright guided Northwest to nine wins in 2017, 10 wins in 2018 and the Bearcats tallied their 12th win in 2019 with a 63-7 victory over Lindenwood.
    H.F. Lawrence went from three wins in 1923 to six wins in 1924 to seven wins in 1925.
    Mel Tjeerdsma had zero wins in 1994 before upping his win total to six in 1995. Tjeerdsma then tallied 11 wins in 1996.

12 WINS FOR 13TH TIME
Northwest reached 12 victories in a season for the 13th time in program history in 2019.

Northwest's 12+ Win Seasons
15 wins - 1998*
15 wins - 2013*
15 wins - 2015*
15 wins - 2016*
14 wins - 1999*
14 wins - 2006
14 wins - 2009*
13 wins - 2008
12 wins - 1997
12 wins - 2002
12 wins - 2007
12 wins - 2010
12 wins - 2019
* - National Champions

HUGHES FAMILY FIELDHOUSE
Located just northwest of College Park and Bearcat Stadium on the Northwest campus, the Carl & Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse servea 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 114-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.