Game No. 2 - Emporia State (1-0/0-0 MIAA) at Northwest Missouri State (1-0/1-0 MIAA)
Thursday, Sept. 7 | 7 p.m. (CT) | Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Stadium (6,500)

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 No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team will look to move to 2-0 on the season when it plays host to the No. 18-ranked Emporia State University Hornets. Kickoff is slated for Thursday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. 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 holds a 36-2 lead in the all-time series with Emporia State.
    Northwest has won 29 consecutive games in the series. Emporia State's last win over Northwest came in the 1994 season. The Bearcats are 19-1 in games played in Maryville, Mo.
    ESU's only two wins in the series came on Oct. 1, 1994, in Maryville (41-26) and on Oct. 9, 1965, in Emporia, Kan. (28-27). Northwest scored a 27-21 win last season (Nov. 12, 2022) over the Hornets in Emporia, Kan.
    Both teams were ranked in last year's regular season finale, in which the Bearcats won to advance to the NCAA Div. II playoffs.

Northwest Results vs. ESU
W, 38-21 vs. ESU (10/24/30)
W, 39-0 vs. ESU (10/10/64)
L, 28-27 at ESU (10/9/65)
W, 14-7 at ESU (9/26/81)
W, 31-6 vs. ESU (9/25/82)
W, 41-36 at ESU (11/9/91)
W, 54-41 vs. ESU (11/7/92)
W, 21-15 at ESU (10/2/93)
L, 41-26 vs. ESU (10/1/94)
W, 23-13 at ESU (10/28/95)
W, 51-34 vs. ESU (11/2/96)
W, 44-38 at ESU (11/15/97)
W, 69-33 vs. ESU (11/14/98)
W, 59-28 at ESU (10/23/99)
W, 62-7 vs. ESU (10/21/00)
W, 44-3 vs. ESU (11/10/01)
W, 34-5 at ESU (11/16/02)
W, 16-13 at ESU (10/11/03)
W, 59-28 vs. ESU (10/02/04)
W, 14-0 at ESU (10/1/05)
W, 49-17 vs. ESU (10/7/06)
W, 24-7 at ESU (11/3/07)
W, 56-7 vs. ESU (11/1/08)
W, 45-12 at ESU (10/17/09)
W, 42-28 vs. ESU (10/16/10)
W, 62-21 vs. ESU (11/12/11)
W, 55-10 vs. ESU (11/3/12)
W, 48-21 at ESU (11/9/13)
W, 42-14 at ESU (11/8/14)
W, 44-10 vs. ESU (11/7/15)
W, 38-17 vs. ESU (12/5/15)
W, 41-14 at ESU (9/1/16)
W, 44-13 vs. ESU (11/26/16)
W, 34-0 vs. ESU (8/31/17)
W, 41-0 vs. ESU (9/29/18)
W, 34-23 at ESU (10/5/19)
W, 35-7 vs. ESU (12/13/21)
W, 27-21 at ESU (11/12/22)

TOP 25 MATCHUP
It will be the 11th time that Northwest and Emporia State meet when both teams are ranked in the AFCA Top 25 poll.
    Northwest is 10-0 all-time against Emporia State when both teams are ranked.

Results Northwest, ESU Both Ranked
#2 NW 69, #10 ESU 33 - Nov. 2, 1998
#4 NW 34, #23 ESU 5 - Nov. 6, 2002
#4 NW 55, #20 ESU 10 - Nov. 3, 2012
#2 NW 48, #10 ESU 21 - Nov. 9, 2013
#2 NW 44, #14 ESU 10 - Nov. 7, 2015
#1 NW 38, #18 ESU 17 - Dec. 5, 2015
#1 NW 41, #24 ESU 14 - Sept. 1, 2016
#1 NW 44, #9 ESU 13 - Nov. 26, 2016
#1 NW 34, #4 ESU 0 - Aug. 31, 2017
#10 NW 27, #22 ESU 21 - Nov. 12, 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 sixth-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 – 8
Central Missouri – 4
Central Oklahoma 2
Fort Hays State – 2

Active NCAA Home Win Streaks
North Central, Ill. (III) – 22
Alabama (FBS) – 21
Montana State (FCS) – 21
Wartburg (III) – 20
Georgia (FBS) – 19
Northwest Mo. St. (II) – 18
Mary Hardin Baylor (III) – 18
Aurora (III) – 18
Notre Dame, Ohio (II) – 17
Michigan (FBS) – 16
Utah (FBS) – 15
Florida A&M (FCS) – 15
Shepherd (II) – 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).

NORTHWEST'S MARK AS A RANKED TEAM
Northwest has played 346 games as a ranked team in the AFCA Top 25. Northwest has posted a record of 297-49 as a ranked team.

HIGH PERCENTAGE 3RD DOWN CONVERSIONS
Northwest ranks No. 5 in the nation in third-down conversions at 66.7%. Northwest converted 12-of-18 third downs against Missouri Southern, including 9-of-11 in the second half.
    Northwest and Chadron State are tied for the nation's lead with 12 third-down conversions.

NCAA Div. II 3rd Down Conversion %
1. East Stroudsburg    9-11    .818
2. Minnesota State    10-14    .714
3. Fort Hays State        7-10    .700
4. Minnesota Duluth    9-13    .692
5. Northwest Mo. St.    12-18    .667
6. South Dakota Mines    7-11    .636
    West Florida        7-11    .636
8. Central Missouri        11-18    .611
9. Ouachita Baptist    9-15    .600
10. West Virginia St.    7-12    .583

BALL CONTROL
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in time of possession after holding the ball 39:17 in its season-opening win at Missouri Southern.
    In the second half alone, Northwest tallied 23:13 in time of possession. Northwest owned the fourth quarter against the Lions by holding the ball for 12:07 to only 2:53 for the home squad.

ONE-SCORE GAMES
Under head coach Rich Wright, Northwest has produced a mark of 11-8 in one-score games.

COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwest has produced 20 come-from-behind victories in head coach Rich Wright's era at Northwest.
    Northwest overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit at Missouri Southern in the season opener to score a 31-24 win.
    The 14-point comeback was the third-largest margin overcome by the Bearcats in the Rich Wright era.

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)
-14 at Missouri Southern (8/31/23)

30-PLUS POINTS = SUCCESS
Northwest is 36-0 when scoring 30 or more points under head coach Rich Wright.
    Northwest has won 83 straight games when scoring 30 or more points. The last loss Northwest suffered when scoring more than 30 points came in a 38-35 NCAA Playoff loss to Minnesota State on Nov. 24, 2012.

400-PLUS YARDS = WINS
Northwest is 35-0 when gaining 400 or more yards with head coach Rich Wright at the helm.

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).

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.

ANGULO PICK SEALS IT
Senior transfer Jianni Angulo made the defensive play of the game for the Bearcats as he intercepted a Luke Sampson pass with 1:48 remaining to clinch the Northwest win at Missouri Southern.
    Angulo and the Bearcats were looking to stop MSSU from a game-tying (potentially game-winning drive) when he made an impressive pick in front of the Bearcat sideline.
    He joined the Bearcats this season after being a graduate transfer from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.

HARRIS GAINS CAREER-HIGH 131 AT MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Sophomore running back Jay Harris rushed for a career-high 131 yards on the ground and picked up two touchdowns in leading Northwest to a seven-point win at Missouri Southern. His 131 rushing yards leads the MIAA this season.
    Harris toted the football a career-high 27 times as Northwest won its 12th straight season opener.
    Harris scored his rushing touchdown of the game in the second quarter on a 2-yard run that cut the MSSU lead to 17-14.
    Harris notched his second 2-yard score of the contest with 2:20 left to give Northwest a 31-24 advantage that stood up as the final score.
    Harris has rushed for 11 career touchdowns after posting nine rushing scores as a true freshman in 2022.

ALL-PURPOSE LEADER
Sophomore running back Jay Harris collected a league-leading 153 all-purpose yards in the season opener at Missouri Southern.
    Harris rushed for league-high 131 yards and added four receptions for 22 yards.

HIGH PERCENTAGE PASSER
Senior captain Mike Hohensee has completed 70.4% of his passes as a collegiate quarterback. Hohensee has completed 366-of-520 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 167.14.

HOHENSEE HOOKS UP WITH 9 DIFFERENCE RECEIVERS
Quarterback Mike Hohensee completed passes to nine difference receivers in the 31-24 win at Missouri Southern. He completed passes to Kashan Griffin, Jake Weber, Trevon Alexander, Ra'Shoud Shelton, Jay Harris, Tyce Hoover, Zach Atkins, Dominic Myers and Jackson Miller.

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.

42 TOUCHDOWN TOSSES FOR HOHENSEE
Hohensee has tossed 42 career touchdown passes and needs three 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 is 21-of-29 kicking field goals in his Bearcat career to rank No. 8 in school history.
    He 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's career long field goal is 46 yards.
    Lammel also ranks No. 9 in program history with 79 made extra points.

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.)    21
9. Steve Stokes (1973-1976)        19
10. Shawn Geraghty (1977-1979)    18

Northwest Career Field Goals 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 (2017-19)    140
6. Eddie Ibarra (1999-02)        94
7. Peter Rameh (1985-88)        83
8. Steve Stokes (1973-76)        80
9. Cole Lammel (2021-pres.)    79
10. Luis Berlanga (2002)        74

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 GAINS THIRD 100-PLUS RECEIVING EFFORT
Senior Kashan Griffin earned his third career 100-plus receiving yardage game of his career in Northwest's 31-24 win at Missouri Southern.
    He is one of three active Bearcat wide receivers to have at least one 100-yard receiving game.

100-Yard Receiving Games (Active)
Kashan Griffin - 163 yds vs. Washburn (2022)
Keegan Sturdy - 137 yds at Lincoln (2022)
Trevon Alexander - 126 yds at Lincoln (2022)
Kashan Griffin - 111 yrds at MSSU (2023)
Kashan Griffin - 109 yds at Ouachita Baptist (2022)

ISAAC EYES TACKLES
Senior captain and linebacker Isaac Vollstedt is Northwest's top returning tackler and he led the squad with seven stops in the season-opening win at Missouri Southern.
    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.

TREVON FINDS THE ZONE
Senior wide receiver Trevon Alexander is the active career leader in touchdown receptions for the Bearcats with five.
    Alexander nabbed his fifth career touchdown reception on a 13-yard grab in the third quarter of Northwest's 31-24 win at Missouri Southern.

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.

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.

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.

SCOUT TEAM PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 1 VS. MO. SOUTHERN
Offense - Connor DeLong
Defense - Jordan Pigram
Special Teams - Phineas Allen