SEASON OPENER
Game No. 1 - Fort Hays State (0-0) at No. 2 Northwest Missouri State (0-0)
Thursday, Sept. 1 | 7 p.m. (CT) | Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Stadium (6,500)

LIVE STREAM | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS | ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Matt Tritten
Radio Sideline: Sam Reeves

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team will begin its 2022 season at home Thursday against the Fort Hays State University Tigers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. under the lights at Bearcat Stadium.
    The first 3,000 fans admitted to the game will receive a free T-shirt courtesy of US Bank.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest is 21-14-1 all-time vs. Fort Hays State. The Tigers and Bearcats first met Sept. 22, 1950. The squads have split the last four meetings with the road team having won each of those matchups.

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)
W, 15-7 at FHSU (9/2/21)

NARROW MARGINS OF LATE BETWEEN 'CATS, TIGERS
The last four matchups between Northwest and Fort Hays State have all finished as one-score games, including a double-overtime 36-33 Northwest victory in Hays in 2019. Northwest posted a 15-7 win last year in the season opener for both squads in Hays. The Tigers tallied a pair of one-point wins in Maryville over the Bearcats in 2017 (13-12) and in 2018 (17-16).

FOR OPENERS
The Bearcats have won 10 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 10 Season-Opening Contests
9/2/21        W, 15-7 at Fort Hays State
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 sixth-year head coach Rich Wright. Wright was named head coach at Northwest Missouri on Dec. 19, 2016. Wright has posted a 42-10 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 11th season as head coach at Fort Hays State in 2022. He is the all-time coaching wins leader in program history, now with a record of 71-43. 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 six seasons.

HOME WIN STREAK
Northwest moved its home win streak at Bearcat Stadium to 12 in a row with a 50-21 victory over the Central Washington Wildcats in the first round of last season's NCAA Div. II playoffs.
    The 12-game home win streak ranks as the longest active streak among NCAA Div. II programs.
    The school record for consecutive home wins is 22 - set on two previous occasions. The first set of 22 straight home wins came from Sept. 5, 1998 to Nov. 18, 2000. The other 22-game home win streak came from Nov. 1, 2014 through Oct. 21, 2017.

Active Div. II Home Win Streaks
Northwest Mo. St. – 12
Notre Dame (Ohio) – 11
Savannah State – 10
Valdosta State – 9
Charleston (W.Va.) – 9
Ferris State – 8
California (Pa.) – 8
Frostburg State – 8
Colorado School of Mines – 8

MIAA Home Win Streaks
Northwest Mo. St. – 12
Washburn – 7
Nebraska-Kearney – 6
Emporia State – 2

BEARCAT STADIUM DOMINANCE
Since the 2001 season, Northwest football has gone 114-10 in Bearcat Stadium.
    Six of the 10 losses have come against MIAA opponents - Fort Hays State in 2017, 2018; Pittsburg State in 2014; Missouri Western in 2012; Washburn in 2005 and Central Missouri in 2003.
    The four non-conference losses came against Northern Colorado (2002 playoffs), Nebraska-Omaha (2007 season opener), Abilene Christian (2008 season opener) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (2012 season opener).

NORTHWEST HAS DOMINATED D-II FOOTBALL SINCE 1990S
Since the start of the 1990 season, Northwest has accumulated 317 victories to rank as the highest win total in all of Division II football. Northwest has also captured the most national titles (6) in that same time frame.

D-II Wins Since 1990
1. Northwest Missouri St.    317-88-1
2. Grand Valley State    307-74-2
3. Pittsburg State    288-85
4. Valdosta State    270-92
    Indiana, Pa.        270-86

26 STRAIGHT WINNING YEARS
The Northwest football program has produced a winning season in each of the last 26 seasons.
    The 26 consecutive winning seasons ranks as the fourth-longest active streak among all NCAA schools.
    Northwest's run of 26 straight winning seasons is the longest active streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    UC Davis holds the Div. II mark with 37 straight winning seasons from 1970-2006. West Chester (1940-1972) and Pittsburg State (1978-2008) each had a streak of 31 straight winning seasons to rank second among Div. II schools.

Active Consecutive Winning Years
    School    Streak    Losing Season
1. Linfield (Ore.)    65    1956
2. Mount Union    42    1979
3. Wartburg    28    1993
4. Northwest    26    1994
5. Hobart    24    1997
6. Mary Hardin Baylor    22    2000
    LSU        22    1999
    Oklahoma    22    1999

NORTHWEST'S MARK AS A RANKED TEAM
Northwest has played 332 games as a ranked team in the AFCA Top 25. Northwest has posted a record of 286-46 as a ranked team.
    Northwest is 43-7 when ranked No. 3 the nation.

52 ALL-TIME PLAYOFF WINS
The Bearcats are 52-19 all-time in the playoffs, which marks the most victories in Division II playoff history.
    The Bearcats (.732) 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.    52
Grand Valley St.    36
North Alabama    35
North Dakota St.    30
Valdosta St.    28
Pittsburg St.    25
Indiana (Pa.)    22
Carson-Newman    20
Ferris State    20

Div. II Playoff Win Percentage
West Florida    9-2    .818
Northwest Mo. St.    52-19     .732
North Dakota State    30-12     .714
Grand Valley State    36-16     .692
Tex. A&M-Commerce    9-4    .692
Valdosta State    28-14     .667
Ferris State     20-11     .645
North Alabama     35-18     .660
Delta State     15-8     .652
minimum of 10 games played

50-WIN PLAYOFF CLUB
Northwest is one of four NCAA school with 50 or more all-time playoff victories.
    Mount Union holds the all-time playoff record with 107 wins. North Dakota State ranks second with 71 playoff victories. Wisconsin-Whitewater has posted 56 playoff triumphs.
    NDSU won 30 NCAA Div. II playoff games before transitioning to FCS where the Bison have picked up 41 more playoff wins.

MEASURE UP WITH BEARCATS
Northwest owns an NCAA Division II playoff record 52 victories. The other current members of the MIAA have won a combined 41 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    52-19 (25 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)
Nebraska-Kearney    2-5 (5 years)
Washburn    1-4 (4 years)
Fort Hays State    0-4 (4 years)
Missouri Southern    0-1 (1 year)

600+ BEARCAT VICTORIES
Northwest is one of seven NCAA Division II schools to have reached 600 or more victories. Northwest has compiled an all-time record of 616-405-33.
    
NCAA Division II Football Wins
1. Pittsburg State    726
2. Tuskegee    699
3. Hillsdale    650
4. Central Oklahoma    645
5. Carson-Newman    644
6. West Chester    642
7. Northwest Mo. St.    616
source: NCAA Football Record Book/Each Institution's SID

MIAA CHAMPS
Northwest earned a share of the program's 31st MIAA regular season title in the 2021 season.
    The Bearcats have claimed seven of the last eight MIAA crowns.
    It was the third MIAA title for head coach Rich Wright.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE
Northwest extended a pair of Division II playoff standards by earning a bid into the 2021 playoffs.
    Northwest earned its 25th overall appearance in the Div. II playoffs.
    The Bearcats extended their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 17 in a row.

Most Div. II Playoff Appearances
Northwest Missouri    25
North Alabama    21
Grand Valley State    20
Indiana (Pa.)    19
Pittsburg State    18
UC Davis    18
Valdosta State    18

Consecutive Div. II Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    17 (2004-pres.)
Grand Valley State    10 (2001-2010)
Pittsburg State    9    (1989-1997)
Albany State    8    (2004-2011)
Ferris State    7     (2014-pres.)
Tex. A&M-Kingsville    7    (1992-1998)
Carson-Newman    7    (1993-1999)
UC Davis    7    (1996-2002)
North Alabama    7 (2005-2011)

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
16 others have one national title

SHUTOUTS UNDER WRIGHT
Northwest has recorded nine shutouts under the direction of head coach Rich Wright, following a 38-0 blanking of Central Oklahoma in the 2021 season (Nov. 2).

ALLOWING 19 POINTS OR LESS
Northwest has produced a mark of 33-3 when limiting the opposition to 19 points or less under head coach Rich Wright.

ONE SCORE GAMES
Under head coach Rich Wright, Northwest has produced a mark of 7-6 in one-score games.

HOHENSEE DIALED IN
Quarterback Mike Hohensee led the nation in passing completion percentage (73.6%) and passing efficiency (187.3) last season.
    Hohensee went 148-of-201 passing for 2,173 yards. He threw 20 touchdowns against 10 picks.

RARE AIR FOR BRADEN
Junior quarterback Braden Wright is one of 12 NCAA Div. II players to have passed for at least 4,000 yards and to have rushed for at least 1,000 yards.
    He has tallied 7,315 yards of total offense in his Bearcat career, which ranks No. 6 on the school's all-time chart.
    Wright ranks No. 8 on Northwest's all-time passing list with 6,061 yards.
    
NCAA Div. II 4,000 Passing/1,000 Rushing
Rk. Name            Passing    Rushing
1. Nick Watson (Tiffin)    12,175    1,363
2. Preston Haire (Okla. Bap.)    11,640    1,481
3. Bryce Witt (Chowan)    9,440    1,433
4. Cade Brister (Lindenwood)    7,790    1,408
5. Braden Wright (NW Mo. St.)    6,061    1,254
6. John Larson (Minn.-Duluth)    5,308    1,172
7. J.D. Ekowa (Minnesota St.)    4,845    1,463
8. Dre Harris (Newberry)    4,712    1,192
9. Austin Brenner (Ashland)    4,493    1,230
10. Will Schneider (William Jewell)    4,512    1,034
11. Kenny Hrncir (East Central)    4,333    1,041
12. Carlton Aiken (Pace)    4,085    1,227

Northwest's Career Total Offense Yards
1. Brady Bolles (2012-15)                      9,296
2. Blake Bolles (2007-10)                       9,254
3. Trevor Adams (2013-16)              8,260
4. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)                 8,064
5. Chris Griesen (1995-98)                      7,574
6. Braden Wright (2018-pr.)           7,315
7. Xavier Omon (2004-07)                      7,073
8. Travis Miles (1997-2000)                    6,276
9. Greg Teale (1993-96)                          6,094
10. John McManamin (1999-02)            6,074

Northwest's Career Passing Yards
1. Blake Bolles (2007-10)                      8,668
2. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        7,791
3. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        7,728
4. Chris Griesen (1995-98)        7,457
5. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    7,365
6. John McMenamin (1999-02)    6,225
7. Travis Miles (1997-00)        6,201
8. Braden Wright (2018-pres.)    6,061
9. Greg Teale (1993-96)        5,689
10. Josh Mathews (2004-07)        5,664

WRIGHT CRACKS TOP-10 LIST FOR COMPLETIONS
Senior quarterback Braden Wright has completed 449 passes in his Bearcat career, which ranks as the ninth-best total in school history.

Northwest's Career Pass Completions
1. Blake Bolles (2007-10)             662
2. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        622
3. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    575
4. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        562
5. Chris Griesen (1995-98)        500
6. John McMenamin (1999-02)    488
7. Greg Teale (1993-96)        467
8. Joel Osborn (2004-08)        454
9. Braden Wright (2018-pres.)    449
8. Josh Mathews (2004-07)        440

WRIGHT CLIMBS BEARCAT PASSING TDS LIST
Senior quarterback Braden Wright ranks No. 5 on Northwest's all-time touchdown passes list with 58.
 
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. Braden Wright (2018-pr.)    58
6. Brady Bolles (2007-10)        56
6. Travis Miles (1997-00)        54
8. Greg Teale (1993-96)        52
9. John McMenamin (1999-02)    48
10. Brian Quinn (1980-84)        45

BRADEN NEARING BEARCAT RUSHING TOUCHDOWN LIST
Senior quarterback Braden Wright has rushed for 24 career touchdowns. He needs four more touchdowns to crack to the top-10 list for Bearcat career rushing scores.
    Wright is eight rushing scores away from equaling 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 21 players on the list, including 20 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 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-America(R) NCAA Division II football team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA).
    This marks the fourth 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 - 2019 (First Team)
Jackson Barnes, LB - 2020-21 (Second Team)
Zach Howard, DT - 2020-21 (Second Team)
Jackson Barnes, LB - 2021 (First Team)
Zach Howard, DT - 2021 (Second Team)

SIX CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright has designated six captains for the 2022 football season.
    Wright has named defensive lineman Elijah Green (Maryville, Mo.), linebacker Sam Phillips (Tabor, Iowa), quarterback Braden Wright (Elkhorn, Neb.), offensive lineman Mitch Goff (Des Moines, Iowa), defensive lineman Zach Howard (Bolivar, Mo.) and linebacker Isaac Vollstedt (Iowa City, Iowa) as the team captains.

SIX GRADUATES TAKE THE FIELD THIS YEAR FOR 'CATS
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today released a list of 3,052 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 six student-athletes suiting up this season who have already claimed their undergraduate degrees.

Graduates Playing at Northwest
Walker Graves
Woobendy Guerrier (Akron)
Tyler Miller
Sam Phillips
Isaac Vollstedt
Braden Wright

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

NCAA Div. II Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 4 yrs.)
Rk.    Coach (School)    Record (Win%) - Years
1.    Tony Annese (Ferris St.)    101-16 (.863) – 9 years
2.    Mike Jacobs (Lenoir-Rhyne)    53-12 (.815) – 6 years
3.     Paul Tortorella (Indiana, Pa.)    38-9 (.809) – 4 years
4.    Rich Wright (Northwest Mo. St.)    42-10 (.808) – 4 years
5.    John Wristen (CSU Pueblo)    123-32 (.794) – 13 years
6.     Paul Simmons (Harding)    41-11 (.788) – 4 years
7.     Matt Mitchell (Grand Valley St.)    105-30 (.778) – 11 years
8.    Shawn Lutz (Slippery Rock)    48-14 (.774) – 5 years
9.     Gary Dunn (California, Pa.)    43-13 (.768) – 5 years
10.    Curt Wiese (Minnesota Duluth)    89-29 (.754) – 10 years

NCAA All Divisions Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 4 yrs.)
Rk.    Coach (School)    Record (Win%) - Years
1.     Kalen DeBoer (Washington)    78-9 (.897) – 7 years
2.     Ryan Day (Ohio St.)    34-4 (.895) – 4 years
3.     Kevin Bullis (Wis.-Whitewater)    69-10 (.873) – 6 years
4.     Tony Annese (Ferris St.)    101-16 (.863) – 9 years
5.    Duke Greco (Delaware Valley)    70-12 (.854) – 7 years
6.    Lincoln Riley (USC)    55-10 (.846) – 5 years
7.    Gary Fasching (St. John's, Minn.)    81-15 (.844) – 8 years
8.     Jeff Devanney (Trinity, Conn.)    104-20 (.839) – 15 years
9.    Joseph Smith (Linfield)    138-27 (.836) – 15 years
10.    Mike Jacobs (Lenoir-Rhyne)    53-12 (.815) – 6 years
11.    Kirby Smart (Georgia)    66-15 (.815) – 6 years
12.     Paul Tortorella (Indiana, Pa.)    38-9 (.809) – 4 years
13.     Rich Wright (Northwest Mo. St.)    42-10 (.808) – 4 years
14.    Mike Siriabni (Wash. & Jefferson)    167-40 (.807) – 19 years
15.    Dabo Swinney (Clemson)    150-36 (.806) – 14 years