Game No. 1 - No. 5/6 Northwest Missouri State (0-0) at Missouri Southern (0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 31 | 7 p.m. (CT) | Joplin, Mo. | Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000)

MIAA NETWORK STREAM | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS 

Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Matt Tritten
Radio Sideline: Keaton Smith

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team will initiate the 2023 season with a road trip to Joplin, Mo., to take on the Missouri Southern Lions. Kick is set for Thursday night (Aug. 31) at 7 p.m. at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest holds a 29-4 lead in the all-time series with Missouri Southern. Northwest has won 27 straight in the series. MSSU's last win over Northwest came in the 1994 season. The Bearcats are 16-1 in games played in Joplin, Mo. MSSU's only win over Northwest in Joplin came in a 34-9 victory over the Bearcats on Nov. 12, 1994. Northwest scored a 27-5 win last season (Nov. 5, 2022) over MSSU at Bearcat Stadium. It marked the first time in 14 matchups that Northwest was held under 38 points against the Lions.

Northwest Results vs. MSSU
W, 35-7 at MSSU (9/16/89)
L, 28-27 vs. MSSU (9/15/90)
L, 20-3 vs. MSSU (11/2/91)
W, 35-27 at MSSU (10/31/92)
L, 49-33 vs. MSSU (11/13/93)
L, 34-9 at MSSU (11/12/94)
W, 41-33 vs. MSSU (10/21/95)
W, 35-34 at MSSU (10/26/96)
W, 31-26 vs. MSSU (9/20/97)
W, 48-21 at MSSU (9/17/98)
W, 52-13 vs. MSSU (10/16/99)
W, 52-0 at MSSU (10/14/00)
W, 38-3 at MSSU (10/6/01)
W, 47-3 vs. MSSU (10/12/02)
W, 47-14 vs. MSSU (10/18/03)
W, 55-19 at MSSU (10/9/04)
W, 38-13 vs. MSSU (9/24/05)
W, 24-7 at MSSU (9/30/06)
W, 49-14 vs. MSSU (11/10/07)
W, 48-24 at MSSU (11/8/08)
W, 52-6 vs. MSSU (10/3/09)
W, 49-21 at MSSU (10/9/10)
W, 52-21 at MSSU (10/29/11)
W, 38-14 at MSSU (10/20/12)
W, 43-7 vs. MSSU (10/26/13)
W, 40-14 at MSSU (9/11/14)
W, 48-7 vs. MSSU (9/10/15)
W, 45-21 at MSSU (9/24/16)
W, 63-0 vs. MSSU (10/21/17)
W, 63-0 vs. MSSU (9/15/18)
W, 66-34 at MSSU (9/21/19)
W, 49-7 at MSSU (11/6/21)
W, 27-5 vs. MSSU (11/5/21

FOR OPENERS
The Bearcats have won 11 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 11 Season-Opening Contests
9/1/11        W, 65-3 at Truman State
8/30/12    W, 33-3 vs. East Central
9/15/13    W, 45-24 vs. No. 22 Saginaw Valley
9/14/14    W, 31-7 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
9/3/15        W, 31-0 at Nebraska-Kearney
9/1/16        W, 41-14 at No. 24 Emporia State
8/31/17    W, 34-0 vs. No. 4 Emporia State
8/30/18    W, 28-6 vs. Missouri Western
9/5/19        W, 45-35 at Missouri Western
9/2/21        W, 15-7 at Fort Hays State
9/1/22        W, 33-19 vs. Fort Hays State

NORTHWEST'S MARK AS A RANKED TEAM
Northwest has played 345 games as a ranked team in the AFCA Top 25. Northwest has posted a record of 296-49 as a ranked team.

27 STRAIGHT WINNING YEARS
The Northwest football program has produced a winning season in each of the last 27 seasons.
    The 27 consecutive winning seasons ranks as the fourth-longest active streak among all NCAA schools.
    Northwest's run of 27 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 (33 at D-II before transitioning to FCS) from 1970-2006.

Active Consecutive Winning Years
    School    Streak    Losing Season
1. Linfield (Ore.)    66    1956
2. Mount Union    44    1979
3. Wartburg    29    1993
4. Northwest    27    1994
5. Hobart    25    1997
6. Wheaton (Ill.)    24    1998
7. Mary Hardin Baylor    23    2000

D-II PLAYOFF LEGENDS
Northwest owns the NCAA Div. II record for playoff appearances (26).
    The Bearcats extended their streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 18 in a row, which is the best ever mark among Div. II playoff teams.

Most Div. II Playoff Appearances
Northwest Missouri    26
North Alabama    21
Grand Valley State    21
Indiana (Pa.)    20
Pittsburg State    19
UC Davis    18
Valdosta State    18
North Dakota State    17
Carson-Newman    16
Albany State    14
North Dakota    14
Shepherd    14
West Chester    14

Consecutive Div. II Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    18 (2004-pres.)
Grand Valley State    10 (2001-2010)
Pittsburg State    9    (1989-1997)
Albany State    8    (2004-2011)
Ferris State    8     (2014-pres.)
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    6    (1981-1986)
Valdosta State    6 (2000-2005)
Abilene Christian    6 (2006-2011)

DIVISION II'S ELITE PROGRAM
Northwest has captured six NCAA Div. II national championships – the most national titles by any Division II program. Northwest won national championships in 1998, 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
    The Bearcats have played in the NCAA Div. II national championship game 10 times in the last 22 years. Northwest 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
Ferris State        2
Minnesota Duluth    2
Northern Colorado    2
Pittsburg State    2
Texas State        2
Troy                2
15 others have one national title

Championship Game Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    10
North Dakota St.    7
Grand Valley St.    6
Valdosta St.        5
North Alabama    5
Pittsburg St.        5
Jacksonville St.    4
Ferris St.        3
Delaware        3

53 ALL-TIME PLAYOFF WINS
The Bearcats are 53-20 all-time in the playoffs, which marks the most victories in Division II playoff history.
    The Bearcats (.726) 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.    53
Grand Valley St.    37
North Alabama    35
North Dakota St.    30
Valdosta St.    29
Ferris St.    26
Pittsburg St.    26
Indiana (Pa.)    22
Carson-Newman    20
Shepherd    20

Div. II Playoff Win Percentage
West Florida    12-3    .800
Northwest Mo. St.    53-20     .726
North Dakota State    30-12     .714
Ferris State    26-11    .703
Tex. A&M-Commerce    9-4    .692
Grand Valley State    37-17     .685
Valdosta State    29-14     .674
North Alabama     35-18     .660
Delta State     16-9     .640
minimum of 10 games played

50-WIN PLAYOFF CLUB
Northwest is one of four NCAA schools with 50 or more all-time playoff victories.
    Mount Union holds the all-time playoff record with 108 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 53 victories. The other current members of the MIAA have won a combined 42 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    53-20 (26 years)
Pittsburg State    26-17 (19 years)
Central Oklahoma    3-4 (4 years)
Emporia State    3-4 (4 years)
Central Missouri    3-4 (4 years)
Northeastern St.    2-2 (2 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)

WRIGHT IN THE PLAYOFFS
Bearcat head coach Rich Wright has posted a mark of 6-5 in the playoffs after taking over the Northwest football program in 2017. He is 2-2 in second-round playoff games, which includes a 1-2 mark on the road.

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).

ONE SCORE GAMES
Under head coach Rich Wright, Northwest has produced a mark of 10-8 in one-score games.

COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwest has produced 19 come-from-behind victories in head coach Rich Wright's era at Northwest.

Comeback Wins Under Wright
-3 at Central Missouri (9/30/17)
-3 vs. Central Oklahoma (10/7/17)
-7 vs. Washburn (9/6/18)
-4 at Missouri Western (9/5/19)
-3 at Washburn (9/14/19)
-8 at Emporia State (10/5/19)
-7 vs. Pittsburg State (10/21/19)
-7 vs. Lincoln (10/26/19)
-17 at Fort Hays State (11/9/19)
-7 at Missouri Western (10/2/21)
-16 vs. Pittsburg State (10/9/21)
-1 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/30/21)
-2 at Harding (11/27/21)
-5 vs. Fort Hays State (9/1/22)
-6 at Lincoln (9/10/22)
-3 vs. Missouri Western (10/1/22)
-1 vs. Washburn (10/15/22)
-10 at Nebraska-Kearney (10/29/22)
-2 vs. Missouri Southern (11/5/22)

HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest is a perfect 46-0 under head coach Rich Wright when the Bearcats lead at the half.
    Overall, Northwest has won 74 straight games when leading the half.
    The last time Northwest lost a game it led at the half came Nov. 22, 2014, in an NCAA playoff game at Minnesota-Duluth. Northwest led 14-6 at the half before bowing to the Bulldogs, 25-21.

HIGH PERCENTAGE PASSER
Senior captain Mike Hohensee has completed 70.8% of his passes as a collegiate quarterback. Hohensee has completed 341-of-481 for the Bearcats.
    No quarterback in this history of Bearcat football has finished their career with a 70% completion percentage. Kyle Zimmerman holds the career mark at 69.7% (320-of-459) from 2013-2016.
    Hohensee possesses a career passing efficiency mark of 170.22.

THREE 300-YARD PASSING GAMES FOR HOHENSEE
Bearcat quarterback Mike Hohensee registered his third career 300-yard passing game in the 47-17 playoff win at Ouachita Baptist last season. It marked the 65th 300-yard passing game by a Bearcat in the program's history.
    Hohensee passed for a career-high 366 yards and four touchdowns in a 32-30 win over Washburn (Oct. 15, 2022).
    He had his first 300-yard passing game against Lincoln on Sept. 10, 2022, when he passed for 312 yards on 21-of-24 passing.
    Hohensee went 23-of-30 passing for 322 yards and two touchdowns against Ouachita Baptist in the playoffs.

41 TOUCHDOWN TOSSES FOR HOHENSEE
Hohensee has tossed 41 career touchdown passes and needs four more to break into the top-10 in Bearcat history.

Northwest Career Touchdown Passes
1. Blake Bolles (2007-10)        79
2. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        74
3. Chris Greisen (1995-98)        68
4. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    65
5. Braden Wright (2018-22)        59
6. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        56
7. Travis Miles (1997-00)        54
8. Greg Teale (1993-96)        52
9. John McMenamin (1999-02)    48
10. Brian Quinn (1980-84)        45

COLE GETS HIS KICKS
Junior kicker Cole Lammel knocked in 16-of-19 field goals last season, which tied for the fourth-most made field goals in a season in program history.
    Lammel is 20-of-28 kicking field goals in his Bearcat career to rank No. 8 in school history.
    Lammel's career long field goal is 46 yards.

Northwest Career Field Goals Made
1. Simon Mathiesen (2013-2016)    61
2. David Purnell (1996-1999)    52
3. Tommy Frevert (2005-2008)    41
4. Todd Adolf (2009-2012)        33
5. Peter Rameh (1985-1988)        32
6. Parker Sampson (2017-2019)    31
7. Eddie Ibarra (1999-2002)        29
8. Cole Lammel (2021-pres.)    20
9. Steve Stokes (1973-1976)        19
10. Shawn Geraghty (1977-1979)    18

LAMMEL EQUALS SCHOOL MARK FOR CONSECUTIVE FGS
Sophomore kicker Cole Lammel tied the Northwest school record for consecutive field goals made at 12.
    Lammel equalled the mark set by Simon Mathiesen in 2016. Mathiesen closed his career by making his final 12 field goal attempts.
    Lammel did set the school mark for consecutive field goals made to begin a season (12). Mathieson held that previous mark of 10 which he set in 2013.

GRIFFIN IS THE ULTIMATE WEAPON
Senior Kashan Griffin averaged 17.7 yards per punt return.
    Griffin ranked No. 3 in the MIAA in kick return average (24.5) and No. 3 in punt return average (17.7).
    He ranked No. 4 in the MIAA in all-purpose yards per game (104.2).
    He ranks No. 18 in the nation in yards per reception (20.8).
    Griffin tallied 318 kick return yards, 708 receiving yards and 230 punt return yards.

ISAAC EYES TACKLES
Senior captain and linebacker Isaac Vollstedt is Northwest's top returning tackler.
    Vollstedt tallied a team-best 82 tackles in 2022. He posted 9.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 quarterback sacks. He also recovered two fumbles.
    He gained second-team all-MIAA honors in 2022.

FISHING FOR STOPS
Junior captain Jake Fisher had a breakout season last year with 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 quarterback sacks.
    Fisher earned third-team all-MIAA status in 2022.

HOME WIN STREAK = 18
Northwest brings an 18-game home win streak into the 2023 season.
    The Bearcats have had perfect home records in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
    Since Nov. 1, 2014, the Bearcats have won 44 of their last 46 home games. Northwest's only two home losses in that stretch were one-point setbacks to Fort Hays State (L, 13-12 on Nov. 5, 2017; L, 17-16 on Nov. 3, 2018).
    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.
    Northwest's 18-game home win streak is tied for the fifth-best active home streak among all NCAA divisions.
    
Active Div. II Home Win Streaks
Northwest Mo. St. – 18
Notre Dame (Ohio) – 16
Shepherd – 13
New Haven – 10
Grand Valley State – 9
Ashland – 8
Winona State – 8
Colorado School of Mines – 7
Minnesota Duluth – 7
Pittsburg State – 7

Active MIAA Home Win Streaks
Northwest Mo. St. – 18
Pittsburg State – 7
Central Missouri – 4
Fort Hays State – 2
Missouri Western – 2

Active NCAA Home Win Streaks
North Central, Ill. (III) – 22
Alabama (FBS) – 20
Montana State (FCS) – 20
Wartburg (III) – 19
Georgia (FBS) – 18
Northwest Mo. St. (II) – 18
Mary Hardin Baylor (III) – 18
Aurora (III) – 17
Notre Dame, Ohio (II) – 16
Michigan (FBS) – 15
Florida A&M (FCS) – 15
Utah (FBS) – 14

Northwest's 18-Game Home Win Streak
W, 38-17 vs. Washburn (9/14/19)
W, 59-10 vs. Central Oklahoma (9/28/19)
W, 56-9 vs. Lincoln (10/26/19)
W, 79-0 vs. Northeastern State (11/2/19)
W, 45-23 vs. #10 Central Missouri (11/16/19)
W, 7-6 vs. #12 Harding (11/23/19)
W, 63-7 vs. Lindenwood (11/30/19)
W, 38-0 vs. Central Oklahoma (9/25/21)
W, 20-19 vs. Pittsburg State (10/9/21)
W, 66-13 vs. #17 Nebraska-Kearney (10/30/21)
W, 35-7 vs. Emporia State (11/13/21)
W, 50-21 vs. Central Washington (11/20/21)
W, 33-19 vs. Fort Hays State (9/1/22)
W, 24-7 vs. Central Missouri (9/17/22)
W, 16-3 vs. Missouri Western (10/1/22)
W, 32-30 vs. Washburn (10/15/22)
W, 36-3 vs. Northeastern State (10/22/22)
W, 27-5 vs. Missouri Southern (11/5/22)

Last Time Each MIAA School Won at NW
Central Missouri - Sept. 20, 2003 (52-24)
Central Oklahoma - Sept. 5, 1992 (27-9)*
Emporia State - Oct. 1, 1994 (41-26)
Fort Hays State - Nov. 3, 2018 (17-16)
Missouri Southern - Nov. 13, 1993 (49-33)
Missouri Western - Nov. 10, 2012 (21-20)
Nebraska-Kearney - 0-8 all-time
Northeastern State - 0-6 all-time
Pittsburg State - Oct. 18, 2014 (35-17)
Washburn - Oct. 8, 2005 (31-28)
*was not a member of the MIAA then

BEARCAT STADIUM DOMINANCE
Since the 2001 season, Northwest football has gone 120-10 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 (2010 season opener).

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 22 players on the list, including 21 since 2003. In 2016, Kyle Zimmerman (QB) took home the top honor – Academic All-American of the Year – something no Bearcat had ever done.
    Zach Howard became the second three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-America® selection in football (joining Trevor Adams) by earning second-team status in 2022.    

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)
Zach Howard, DT - 2022 (Second Team)

FIVE CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright has designated five captains for the 2023 football season.
    Wright has named running back Jadon Brady (Savannah, Mo.), defensive lineman Jake Fisher (Smithville, Mo.), quarterback Mike Hohensee (St. Charles, Ill.), linebacker Andrew Dumas (Olathe, Kan.) and linebacker Isaac Vollstedt (Iowa City, Iowa) as team captains.

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.

'CATS TABBED SECOND IN PRESEASON MIAA POLLS
The Northwest Missouri State University football team has been projected to finish second in the preseason MIAA coaches' and media polls.
    The Bearcats picked up three first-place votes in the Coaches' poll to record 93 points. Pittsburg State was chosen as the preseason favorite by the coaches with 98 points and eight first-place votes.
    Northwest added seven more first-place tallies in the Media poll and secured 302 points. PSU was also the top selection in the media poll with 22 first-place votes and 320 total points.

2023 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (8) – 98 pts.
2. Northwest Mo. St. (3) – 93 pts.
3. Emporia State – 78 pts.
4. Washburn – 73 pts.
T5. Central Oklahoma – 57 pts.
T5. Nebraska Kearney – 57 pts.
7. Central Missouri – 44 pts.
8. Fort Hays State – 37 pts.
9. Missouri Western – 32 pts.
10. Missouri Southern – 26 pts.
11. Northeastern State – 10 pts.

2023 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Pittsburg State (22) – 320 pts.
2. Northwest Mo. St. (7) – 302 pts.
3. Emporia State (1) – 258 pts.
4. Washburn – 209 pts.
5. Central Oklahoma – 208 pts.
6. Nebraska Kearney – 199 pts.
7. Central Missouri – 124 pts.
8. Missouri Southern – 116 pts.
9. Missouri Western – 113 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 98 pts.
11. Northeastern State – 33 pts.