Game No. 10 - Northwest Missouri State (5-4/4-3 MIAA) at Missouri Western (3-6/2-6 MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 2 p.m. (CT) | St. Joseph, Mo. | Spratt Stadium (10,000)

MIAA NETWORK STREAM ($) | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS 

Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Mike Harbit
Radio Sideline: Jackson Phelps

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football squad (4-4 overall) will play a road game for the final time this season when it travels Saturday to take on the Missouri Western Griffons (3-6 overall, 2-6 MIAA). Kick is set for 2 p.m. at Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest leads a 31-13 lead in the all-time series vs. Missouri Western.
    The Bearcats have owned the Griffons having won 10 straight matchups in the series. Northwest has won 19 of the last 21 games between the two schools.
    Northwest has won seven straight games at Spratt Stadium. MWSU's last home win over Northwest came in a 31-28 victory on Nov. 5, 2011.
    Of Missouri Western's 13 wins in the series, 11 have come by one-score margins. In contrast, Northwest has won nine of its 31 conquests of the Griffons by one-score margins.

Northwest vs. Missouri Western
L, 20-8 at MWSU (9/19/81)
L, 17-14 vs. MWSU (9/18/82)
W, 19-9 at MWSU (9/17/83)
W, 30-27 vs. MWSU (9/22/84)
W, 24-18 at MWSU (9/21/85)
L, 27-26 vs. MWSU (9/20/86)
L, 20-17 at MWSU (9/19/87)
L, 27-26 vs. MWSU (9/17/88)
W, 45-29 at MWSU (9/2/89)
L, 27-25 vs. MWSU (9/1/90)
W, 49-26 at MWSU (10/26/91)
W, 43-26 vs. MWSU (10/24/92)
L, 21-14 at MWSU (9/18/93)
L, 20-0 vs. MWSU (9/17/94)
L, 24-20 at MWSU (10/14/95)
W, 31-24 vs. MWSU (10/19/96)
W, 52-13 at MWSU (9/27/97)
W, 45-32 vs. MWSU (9/27/98)
W, 38-34 at MWSU (10/9/99)
W, 46-27 vs. MWSU (10/7/00)
L, 37-30 (OT) vs. MWSU (11/3/01)
W, 13-10 at MWSU (11/9/02)
L, 30-27 (OT) at MWSU (10/25/03)
W, 31-13 vs. MWSU (10/16/04)
W, 31-21 at MWSU (9/17/05)
W, 24-21 vs. MWSU (9/23/06)
W, 44-20 at MWSU (9/15/07)
W, 42-35 vs. MWSU (9/13/08)
W, 49-35 at MWSU (10/3/09)
W, 42-0 vs. MWSU (10/2/10)
W, 28-24 at MWSU (11/20/10)
L, 31-28 at MWSU (11/5/11)
W, 35-29 at MWSU (11/19/11)
L, 21-20 vs. MWSU (11/10/12)
W, 51-21 at MWSU (11/16/13)
W, 40-3 vs. MWSU (11/1/14)
W, 24-10 at MWSU (10/31/15)
W, 44-3 vs. MWSU (11/12/16)
W, 30-0 at MWSU (11/12/17)
W, 28-6 vs. MWSU (8/30/18)
W, 45-35 at MWSU (9/5/19)
W, 30-7 at MWSU (10/2/21)
W, 16-3 vs. MWSU (10/1/22)
W, 27-23 at MWSU (10/14/23)

BEARCATS BOAST OF 28 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Northwest needs one more victory this season to ensure its 29th straight winning season. Northwest's last losing season came in 1994.
    Northwest has produced 28 straight winning seasons. It is the longest active streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    The 28 consecutive winning seasons ranks as the fourth-longest active streak among current NCAA schools.
    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    Began
1. Linfield (Ore.)    67    1956
2. Mount Union    45    1979
3. Wartburg    30    1993
4. Northwest    28    1994
5. Hobart    26    1997
6. Wheaton (Ill.)    25    1998
    Boise State    25    1998
7. Mary Hardin Baylor    24    2000

HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest is a perfect 55-0 under head coach Rich Wright when the Bearcats lead at the half.
    Northwest has won 83 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.

BEARCATS POSSESS TOP-RANKED DEFENSE IN MIAA
Northwest's defense ranks No. 1 in the MIAA by allowing 308.7 total yards per game.

RED ZONE DEFENSE IS KEY
Northwest ranks tied for No. 45 in the nation, and No. 3 in the MIAA, in red zone defense. Northwest has allowed 73.3% of its red zone scores on defense.
    Opponents have made 30 trips to the red zone against the Bearcats and converted 22 scores (12 rushing TDs, 6 passing TDs, 4 FG).

THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA and No. 8 in the nation in third-down conversion percentage.
    The Bearcats have converted 49.2% of their third-down chances this season. Northwest is 64-of-130 on third downs.
    In its five wins this season Northwest is 33-of-60 (55.0%) on third downs. Northwest went 10-of-16 on third downs vs. Fort Hays State, 12-of-16 at Missouri Southern, 6-of-15 vs. Emporia State, 5-of-13 at Washburn and 4-of-10 vs. Northeastern State.

NCAA Div. II Team 3rd Down Conversion
1. Central Washington    71-121    .587
2. Harding        52-94    .553
3. Charleston, W.Va.    61-111    .550
4. Valdosta St.        49-91    .538
5. Colorado Mines        58-110    .527
6. East Stroudsburg    53-103    .515
7. California, Pa.        59-116    .509
8. Northwest Mo. St.    64-130    .492
9. Findlay            61-124    .492
10. Ferris St.        53-109    .486

TURNOVERS HAVE BEEN A BUGGABOO
Northwest has committed 25 turnovers this season, which is the second-most turnovers in NCAA Div. II football season.
    West Liberty has turned the ball over 29 times in nine games to lead the country in turnovers.
    Northwest has thrown five interceptions and has lost two fumbles in the red zone.

BEARCAT POSSESS EYE-
POPPING PASSING NUMBERS
Northwest ranks No. 4 in the MIAA and No. 13 in the nation in passing offense at 281.7 yards per game.
    In terms of total passing yards, Northwest ranks No. 11 in the nation and No. 4 in the MIAA with 2,535 yards through the air.

NCAA Div. II Passing Yards
1. Central Missouri            3,501
2. Central Oklahom        3,054
3. MSU Moorhead            3,018
4. Emporia St.            3,000
5. CSU Pueblo            2,914
6. Clark Atlanta            2,763
7. Limestone            2,704
8. Fairmont St.            2,647
9. Lock Haven            2,596
10. Colorado School of Mines    2,551
11. Northwest Mo. St.        2,535

DOM DOING DAMAGE ON PUNT/KICK RETURNS
Junior returner Dominic Myers put up the third-highest single-game punt return yardage total in Bearcat history against Northeastern State. It ranks as the fifth-best single-game total this season in NCAA Div. II football.
    Myers returned four punts for 119 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown in Northwest's 44-26 win over the RiverHawks.
    Myers tallied a team-best 169 all-purpose yards in a rain storm vs. the RiverHawks. Myers had punt returns of 23 yards, 50 yards (touchdown), 10 yards and 36 yards. He had kick returns of 31 and 19 yards against the RiverHawks.

NW Single-Game Most Punt Return Yards
124, Jamaica Rector vs. MSSU (10/12/02)
120, Jason Melnick vs. SBU (9/21/96)
119, Dominic Myers vs. NSU (11/2/24)
114, Kashan Griffin vs. NSU (10/22/22)
108, Shawn Bane Jr. vs. Lindenwood (10/10/15)
107, Tony Miles vs. Midwestern St. (9/5/98)
103, Jamaica Rector vs. Washburn (9/25/04)
103, Shawn Bane Jr. vs. MSSU (9/15/18)
98, Jamaica Rector vs. Missouri S&T (9/21/02)
98, Tony Miles vs. UCM (11/13/99)

NCAA Div. II Most Punt Return Yards (2024)
198, Virgil Lemons, West Florida (11/2/24)
162, Dejuan Bell, Fort Valley St. (10/5/24)
160, Ty Johnson, Winons St. (10/26/24)
147, Virgil Lemons, West Florida (9/5/24)
119, Dominic Myers, NW Mo. St. (11/2/24)

FISHER RACKS UP 3 SACKS
Senior captain Jake Fisher led the Bearcats with eight tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 quarterback sacks in a home non-conference win over Northeastern State.
    Fisher's three-sack day is tied for the most by an MIAA player this season.
    Fisher and the Bearcat defense limited NSU to 55 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Fisher's pressure from the defensive line forced NSU quarterback Dereun Dortch to be sacked seven times and limited his passing to 20-of-43 fro 249 yards.

RUHNKE WORKS HIS WAY ONTO NATIONAL SCENE
Junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke is among the national and MIAA leaders in a handful of statistical categories this season.
    
Ruhnke in NCAA, MIAA Rankings
Stat (Ruhnke's total)    Nat'l    MIAA
Completions/Game (23.0)    7th    4th
Passing Yards (2,462)    6th    3rd
Total Offense (280.4)    10th    4th
Completion % (.655)    18th    4th
Passing Touchdowns (18)    24th    4th
Pts. Responsible For (114)    45th    4th
Passing Efficiency (141.5)    49th    4th

RUHNKE RANKS 6TH IN THE NATION IN PASS YARDS
Chris Ruhnke ranks No. 6 in the nation and No. 3 in the MIAA with 2,277 passing yards.
    Ruhnke is 207-of-316 passing (65.5%) and 18 touchdowns through nine contests. He is averaging 273.6 yards per game.
    For his career, Ruhnke is 228-of-360 passing for 2,761 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has a career passing efficiency rating of 137.56.

NCAA Div. II Passing Yardage Leaders
1. Zach Zebrowski (Central Missouri)    3,490
2. Jack Strand (MSU Moorhead)    2,956
3. Jett Huff (Central Oklahoma)    2,876
4. David Wright III (Clark Atlanta)    2,742
5. Jackson Ostrowsky (Lock Haven)    2,596
6. Chris Ruhnke (Northwest Mo. St.)    2,462
7. Isaiah Knowles (Albany St.)    2,405
8. Dustin Noller (Limestone)        2,400
9. Gunnar Gundy (Emporia St.)    2,366
10. Adrian Parker (Franklin Pierce)    2,342

SPREADING IT AROUND
Bearcat quarterback Chris Ruhnke has thrown 18 touchdown passes to 10 different receivers in 2024.
    Ruhnke has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game.

Ruhnke TD Passes
Andrew Bradley - 43 yards vs. Minn. St.
Luke Mathews - 80 yards vs. Minn. St.
Tank Young - 13 yards vs. Minn. St.
Eric Richardson - 10 yards at Neb.-Kearney
Zach Atkins - 23 yards at Neb.-Kearney
Jadon Brady - 5 yards vs. Fort Hays St.
Wentric Williams III - 2 yards vs. Fort Hays St.
Eric Richardson - 68 yards at Mo. Southern
John Giagiari - 8 yards at Mo. Southern
Zach Atkins - 5 yards at Mo. Southern
Luke Mathews - 29 yards vs. Emporia State
Andrew Bradley - 8 yards at Washburn
Eric Richardson - 46 yards at Central Okla.
Jake Weber - 19 yards vs. Central Missouri
Eric Richardson - 41 yards vs. Central Missouri
Tyce Hoover - 6 yards vs. Northeastern St.
John Giagiari - 9 yards vs. Northeastern St.
Eric Richardson - 32 yards vs. Northeastern St.

MATHEWS IS THE TOP TARGET
Junior wide receiver Luke Mathews ranks No. 6 in the MIAA in receiving yards per game (71.1).
    Mathews has caught 33 passes for 640 yards in 2024. In his previous three seasons, Mathews had caught one pass for one yard.
    Mathews had a five-catch, 140-yard game vs. Minnesota State for his first career 100-yard receiving game.

Career 100-yard Receiving Games
Luke Mathews - 1
Tank Young - 1

RICHARDSON TOPS IN TD
RECEPTIONS WITH FIVE
Wide receiver Eric Richardson leads the Bearcats in touchdown receptions this season with five. Richardson is tied for sixth in the MIAA in TD receptions.
    Richardson has recorded touchdown receptions of 10, 68, 48, 41 and 32 yards this season.

FISHER RACKS UP SACKS, TFLS
Senior defensive lineman Jake Fisher has posted 34.5 career tackles-for-loss and 18.5 career quarterback sacks.
    Fisher's 18.5 career sacks ranks just outside the Bearcat top-10 list. Jacob Vollstedt ranks No. 10 with 19.5 sacks from 2013-16.
    Fisher needs four more TFLs to crack Northwest's top-10 list for career TFLs. Ryan Waters holds down the No. 10 slot with 38.5 TFLs from 2003-06.
    Fisher ranks No. 12 among active NCAA Div. II leaders in tackles-for-loss yards lost with 184.
    Fisher ranks No. 18 among active Div. II players in sacks and No. 18 in yards lost by sacks (131).

FREDRICKSON STOPS 'EM
Junior safety Shane Fredrickson gained his fifth career interception and returned it 55 yards for his first collegiate pick-six against Missouri Southern.
    Fredrickson is Northwest's active career leader in interceptions (5) and total tackles (169)
    Fredrickson leads the Bearcats this season with 59 total tackles.

POWERING THE D-LINE
Junior Clayton Power has registered a team-best 5.5 quarterback sacks this season. Power has also added 8.0 tackles-for-loss.
    Power has 9.5 career sacks and 17.5 career TFLs.

EDWARDS PILING UP STOPS
Junior linebacker Carter Edwards ranks second on the team in tackles (49).
    Edwards has also tallied two quarterback sacks, 6.5 TFLs, three pass breakups and two interceptions.

BEARCAT STADIUM DOMINANCE
Since the 2001 season, Northwest football has gone 126-14 in Bearcat Stadium.
    Nine of the 14 losses have come against MIAA opponents - Emporia State in 2023; Fort Hays State in 2017, 2018; Pittsburg State in 2014, 2023; Missouri Western in 2012; Washburn in 2005 and Central Missouri in 2003 and 2024.
    The five non-conference losses came against Northern Colorado (2002 playoffs), Nebraska-Omaha (2007 season opener), Abilene Christian (2008 season opener), Texas A&M-Kingsville (2010 season opener) and Minnesota State (2024 season opener).

300-YARD PASSING GAMES
Junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke has generated four 300-yard passing games this season, which is tied for the fourth-most in a single season for a Bearcat signal caller.
    Ruhnke passed for 321 yards on 31-of-46 passing against Central Missouri for his fourth 300-yard game this year.
    Ruhnke's performance against the Mules marked the 73rd time in program history the Bearcats had a 300-yard passer.
    Ruhnke is tied for the sixth-most 300-yard career passing games in the Bearcat record book.

Ruhnke's 300-Yard Games in 2024
311, at Nebraska-Kearney (25-of-38)
331, at Missouri Southern (26-of-33)
310, at No. 13 Central Oklahoma (25-of-48)
321, vs. Central Missouri (31-of-46)

Most 300-Yard Passing Games (Season)
6, Chris Griesen (1998)
6, John McMenamin (2002)
6, Blake Bolles (2010)
4, John McMenamin (2001)
4, Josh Lamberson (2005)
4, Brady Bolles (2015)
4, Kyle Zimmerman (2016)
4, Chris Ruhnke (2024)

Most 300-Yard Passing Games (Career)
10, John McMenamin (1998-2002)
9, Blake Bolles (2006-2009)
7, Chris Griesen (1994-1998)
6, Josh Lamberson (2001-2005)
5, Mike Hohensee (2018-2023)
4, Brian Quinn (1980-1984)
4, Travis Miles (1997-2000)
4, Trevor Adams (2009-2013)
4, Brady Bolles (2012-2015)
4, Kyle Zimmerman (2013-2016)
4, Chris Ruhnke (2021-pres.)

33 COMPLETIONS FOR RUHNKE
Junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke completed 33 passes in a 32-20 win over Fort Hays State. The 33 completions ranks tied for second for the most passes completed in a game in school history.
    Only Blake Bolles completed more passes (37) in a game than Ruhnke. Bolles hit on 37 passes vs. Washburn on Oct. 24, 2009. Josh Lamberson connected on 33 passes vs. Grand Valley State on Dec. 10, 2005 and John McMenamin completed 33 passes vs. Central Missouri on Oct. 27, 2001.
    Ruhnke also completed 31 passes against Central Missouri (Oct. 19) to tie for the seventh-most completions in a game in program history.

NW Single-Game Most Completions
37, Blake Bolles vs. Washburn (10/24/09)
33, Josh Lamberson vs. GVSU (12/10/05)
33, John McMenamin vs. UCM (10/27/01)
33, Chris Ruhnke vs. FHSU (9/14/24)
32, John McMenamin vs. Washburn (10/5/02)
32, John McMenamin vs. Truman (10/26/02)
31, Brian Quinn vs. Augustana (11/5/83)
31, Blake Bolles vs. Central Wash. (11/28/09)
31, Brady Bolles vs. Washburn (11/14/15)
31, Chris Ruhnke vs. UCM (10/19/24)

GUASTELLA TIED FOR 10TH IN CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE
Senior placekicker Noah Guastella is tied for 10th all-time in Bearcat history with 18 field goals made.
    Guastella has made eight field goals in the last three contests, including a career long of 45 yards against Central Missouri.
    Guastella is 10-of-14 on field goal attempts this season. He ranks tied for second in the MIAA with 10 made field goals this year.

Most Field Goals Made (Career)
1. 61, Simon Mathieson (2013-16)
2. 52, David Purnell (1996-99)
3. 41, Tommy Frevert (2005-08)
4. 33, Todd Adolf (2009-12)
5. 32, Peter Rameh (1985-88)
6. 31, Parker Sampson (2017-19)
7. 29, Eddie Ibarra (1999-02)
8. 21, Cole Lammel (2021-pr.)
9. 19, Steve Stokes (1973-76)
10. 18, Shawn Geraghty (1977-79)
      18, Noah Guastella (2022-pr.)

Most Field Goals Made (2024 - MIAA)
1. 12, Carson Arndt (FHSU)
2. 10, Noah Guastella (NWMSU)
    10, Caden Dodson (ESU)
    10, Cody Watson (MWSU)
5. 9, Drake Reese (MSSU)

12-12 VS RANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 2017
Northwest has produced a record of 12-12 against opponents since head coach Rich Wright took over the Bearcat program in 2017.
    Northwest is 2-2 vs. ranked opponents this season with wins over No. 11 Emporia State and No. 25 Fort Hays State.

Results vs. Ranked Foes (Since 2017)
10/12/24    L, 48-20 at No. 13 Central Oklahoma
9/28/24    W, 14-9 vs. No. 11 Emporia State
9/14/24    W, 32-20 vs. No. 25 Fort Hays State
8/29/24    L, 36-22 vs. No. 13 Minnesota State
10/21/23    L, 28-7 vs. No. 2 Pittsburg State
9/30/23    L, 41-38 at No. 21 Central Missouri
9/7/23        L, 33-13 vs. No. 18 Emporia State
11/26/22    L, 13-8 at No. 1 Grand Valley State
11/19/22    W, 47-17 at No. 3 Ouachita Baptist
11/12/22    W, 27-21 at No. 22 Emporia State
10/8/22    L, 24-22 at No. 7 Pittsburg State
12/4/21    L, 41-20 at No. 1 Ferris State
11/27/21    W, 28-9 at No. 7 Harding
10/30/21    W, 66-13 vs. No. 17 Neb.-Kearney
12/7/19    L, 25-3 at No. 2 Ferris State
11/23/19    W, 7-6 vs. No. 12 Harding
11/16/19    W, 45-23 vs. No. 10 Central Missouri
10/12/19    W, 38-17 vs. No. 15 Pittsburg State
11/24/18    L, 27-21 at No. 2 Ferris State
11/17/18    W, 42-17 at No. 7 Grand Valley State
10/6/18    W, 31-7 at No. 8 Pittsburg State
11/26/17    L, 21-18 at No. 9 Ashland
11/5/17    L, 13-12 vs. No. 6 Fort Hays State
8/31/17    W, 34-0 vs. No. 4 Emporia State

ONE-SCORE GAMES
Under head coach Rich Wright, Northwest has produced a mark of 13-10 in one-score games.
    Northwest is 1-2 in one-score games this season with a win over Emporia State (W, 14-9) and losses at Nebraska-Kearney (L, 21-14) and at home vs. Central Missouri (L, 35-30).

61 TIMES OF 50 OR MORE
Northwest has scored 50 or more points in a game 61 times in the history of the program.
    Northwest has scored 50 or more points 17 times since head coach Rich Wright took over in 2017.

GUASTELLA CAPTURES MIAA SPECIAL TEAMS HONOR
Senior kicker Noah Guastella was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after a 51-34 win at Washburn.
    Guastella made 3-of-4 field goals and was 6-of-6 on extra points in a 17-point road win over the Washburn Ichabods. Guastella tallied 15 of Northwest's 51 points.
    It's the first time in three years that a Bearcat kicker has made three or more field goals in a single game. Guastella tied for the sixth-most field goals made in a game in Bearcat history against the Ichabods. Guastella drilled field goals of 26, 24 and 38 yards.

EDWARDS NAMED MIAA DEF. ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Junior linebacker Carter Edwards has been named the MIAA's Defensive Athlete of the Week for his play against No. 11 Emporia State.
    Edwards racked up eight tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a quarterback sack in guiding the Bearcat defense to a 14-9 win over ESU.
    Edwards and the Bearcat defense allowed only one scoring drive all day (12 yards) in securing the victory. Northwest held ESU to 161 passing yards and 55 rushing yards (216 total yards).

TANK TOPS 100-YARD MARK
Junior running back Tank Young collected his second career 100-yard rushing game in its 51-34 win at Washburn.
    Young carried the ball 12 times for 134 yards (11.2 yards/carry) and two touchdowns. Young had scoring runs of 23 and 45 yards in the triumph over the Ichabods.
    Ironically, Young's only previous 100-yard rushing game also came at Washburn in 2023. Young carried the ball 12 times for 109 yards on Oct. 28, 2023, in a 52-31 win at Washburn.
    Young is Northwest's active career leader in rushing yards (845) and rushing touchdowns (5).
    Young has amassed 1,353 all-purpose yards in 25 games in a Bearcat uniform.
    He has scored nine touchdowns for 54 points as a collegian.

MARTIN FINDS HIS NICHE
Backup quarterback Henry Martin has been a very productive piece of Northwest's red-zone offense.
    Martin has passed for two touchdowns and has rushed for three touchdowns this season when inserted at the quarterback slot.
    Martin has rushed for four career touchdowns.

NOAH ARCS IN THREE FIELD GOALS AT WASHBURN
Senior Noah Guastella tied for the sixth-most field goals made in a game in Bearcat history as he drilled a trio of field goals at Washburn.
    Guastella made field goals from 26, 24 and 38 yards.

CARTER COLLECTS TWO PICKS
Linebacker Carter Edwards collected two interceptions at Washburn. He became the 30th Bearcat player to record at least two interceptions in a single game in program history.
    Edwards was also credited with seven tackles in the 51-34 win at Washburn.

FIRST 400-YARD PASSING GAME SINCE 2015
Northwest produced its first 400-yard passing performance since a 414-yard effort vs. Washburn Nov. 14, 2015 in a win at MSSU.
    Northwest's quarterback duo of Chris Ruhnke and Henry Martin combined to throw for 401 passing yards at Missouri Southern. Ruhnke threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns, while Martin threw for 70 yards and one score.

SHUTOUTS UNDER WRIGHT
Northwest has recorded 12 shutouts under the direction of head coach Rich Wright, following its 59-0 win over Missouri Southern at Hughes Stadium.
    It is the third time the Bearcats have shut out Missouri Southern in Wright's head coaching era.

Shutouts Under Coach Wright
59-0 at Missouri Southern (9/21/24)
52-0 at Northeastern State (11/4/23)
59-0 vs. Lincoln (9/23/23)
38-0 vs. Central Oklahoma (9/25/21)
79-0 vs. Northeastern St. (11/2/19)
41-0 vs. Emporia State (9/29/18)
63-0 vs. Missouri Southern (9/15/18)
30-0 at Missouri Western (11/12/17)
19-0 vs. Lindenwood (10/21/17)
63-0 vs. Missouri Southern (9/23/17)
13-0 at Nebraska-Kearney (9/16/17)
34-0 vs. #4 Emporia State (8/31/17)

TANK TAKES TWO
Junior running back Tank Young scored Northwest's first two rushing touchdowns of the season in its 32-20 win over Fort Hays State.
    Young scored on a 10-yard run on a 4th-and-2 with Northwest facing a 14-0 deficit to the Tigers.
    Young added a four-yard score to put Northwest on top, 24-17, with 7:25 left in the third quarter.

FIRST START FOR EDWARDS
Junior linebacker Carter Edwards made his first start at linebacker against Fort Hays State and tied for the team lead in tackles with six.
    Edwards recorded a sack and two tackles-for-loss against the Tigers. Edwards and the Bearcat defense did not allow an FHSU touchdown in the final three quarters after going down 14-0 in the first eight minutes of the game.

COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwest has produced 22 come-from-behind victories in head coach Rich Wright's era at Northwest.
    Northwest faced a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter vs. FHSU in its 32-20 victory over the Tigers.
    The 14-point comeback tied for the third-largest margin overcome by the Bearcats in the Rich Wright era.
    It was the sixth time the Bearcats have faced a double-figure deficit under coach Wright and were victorious.

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)
-10 at Missouri Western (10/14/23)
-14 vs. Fort Hays State (9/14/24)

60TH WIN FOR COACH WRIGHT
Northwest head coach Rich Wright earned his 60th career victory in a 32-20 victory over Fort Hays State.
    Wright ranks No. 4 on Northwest' all-time coaching wins chart.
    Wright is tied with Adam Dorrel for the second-most league wins in school history. Dorrel went 57-5 from 2011-2016, while Wright is 57-15 since taking over the program in 2017.

Northwest Football Coaching Win Leaders
1. Mel Tjeerdsma (1994-2010)    183-43
2. Ryland Milner (1937-1957)    92-61-13
3. Adam Dorrel (2011-2016)    76-8
4. Rich Wright (2017-pres.)    64-21
5. E.A. Davis (1927-1936)    38-43-8
6. Gladden Dye (1971-1975)    32-17
7. Jim Redd (1976-1982)    29-42-2
8. Ivan Schottel (1963-1970)    27-44-1
9. Bud Elliott (1988-1993)    27-39-1
10. Vern Thomsen (1983-1987)    25-29-1

Northwest FB MIAA Games Only Wins
1. Mel Tjeerdsma (1994-2010)    131-20
2. Adam Dorrel (2011-16)    57-5
3. Rich Wright (2017-pres.)    57-15
4. Ryland Milner (1937-57)    45-37-7
5. Bud Elliott (1988-93)    25-27
6. Gladden Dye (1971-75)    19-11
7. E.A. Davis (1927-36)    16-21-3
8. James Redd (1976-82)    15-23-2
9. Ivan Schottel (1963-70)    13-28
10. Vern Thomsen (1983-87)    11-14

FISHER, SMITH NAMED TO ELITE 100 WATCH LIST
Northwest Missouri State University seniors Jake Fisher and Cahleel Smith have been named to D2Football.com's Elite 100 Watch List.
QThe D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with the input of numerous sitting head coaches as well as professional football scouting veteran Josh Buchanan.
    Fisher (Smithville, Mo.) was named to the D2Football.com's Elite 100 Watch List second-team defense. Fisher gained first-team all-MIAA status last season after notching third-team honors in 2022 on the defensive line.
    Smith (Independence, Mo.) earned an honorable mention nod on the Elite 100 Watch List. Smith is a three-time first-team all-MIAA performer. Smith started all 43 games of his Bearcat career at cornerback. Smith has notched 119 career tackles, 24 passes defended with four interceptions.

SMITH LANDS SPOT ON SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST
Senior defensive back Cahleel Smith has landed a spot on the 2025 Senior Bowl Watch List.
    This year's 12th annual list comprises an all-time record 859 prospects. This total number is up significantly from past years due to the new addition of specialists and underclassmen, as well as the inclusion of many fifth and sixth-year seniors opting to use their extra Covid year of eligibility. All the prospects who made the cut were evaluated by our staff and tape-based grades.
    The 2025 Senior Bowl is set for Feb. 1, in Mobile, Ala.

OFFENSE CAN GET EXPLOSIVE
Northwest had a rare feat of scoring touchdowns on three consecutive offensive plays in the season-opening game vs. Minnesota State.
    Northwest's Andrew Bradley caught a 41-yard scoring strike from Chris Ruhnke with 3:05 left in the third quarter. Northwest's next offensive snap resulted in an 80-yard touchdown pass from Ruhnke to Luke Mathews. The next snap ended in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Ruhnke to Tank Young with 10:53 left in the fourth quarter.

FIVE CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright has designated five captains for the 2024 football season.
    Wright has named running back Jadon Brady (Savannah, Mo.), defensive back Shane Fredrickson (Lee's Summit, Mo.), defensive lineman Jake Fisher (Smithville, Mo.), linebacker Andrew Dumas (Olathe, Kan.), offensive lineman Jake Winslow (Colona, Ill.) as team captains.


NORTHWEST'S MARK AS A RANKED TEAM
Northwest has played 351 games as a ranked team in the AFCA Top 25. Northwest has posted a record of 298-53 as a ranked team.

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 23 players on the list, including 22 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)
Kobe Clayborne, DT - 2023 (Second Team)

GENT, NOVAK ADDED TO COACHING STAFF
Ryan Gent has been added as Assistant Head Coach – Wide Receivers/Director of Camps and Neil Novak has been named Assistant Coach – Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator.
    Gent served on the Bearcat football staff from 2014-2016. He began as a graduate assistant in 2014 and 2015 when he worked with the offensive line and running backs. He was elevated to Running Backs/Tight Ends Assistant Coach in 2016 for then head coach Adam Dorrel. Gent's tenure saw the Bearcats capture undefeated NCAA Div. II national championships in 2015 and 2016. Novak was a graduate assistant on the Bearcat coaching staff in 2017 and 2018 when he worked with the defensive backs and assisted with special teams. Novak was a part of two NCAA Div. II playoff appearances at Norhtwest. Gent most recently served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at South Dakota Mines for former Bearcat assistant coach Charlie Flohr from 2020-2023. Gent served a wide receivers coach at Abilene Christian from 2017-2019 as a part of Dorrel's staff.
    Novak spent the previous three seasons at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. Novak coached the defensive line and the defensive backs, while also serving as the special teams coordinator for WSC. Novak helped the Wildcats to an NSIC title and a berth into the NCAA Div. II playoffs in 2022. Novak spent the 2019 season as the defensive coordinator at MidAmerica Nazarene, where he worked with current Bearcat offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy. Prior to his time at Northwest, Novak served as a graduate assistant coach at Black Hills State in 2015 and 2016 working with their safeties.

STAYING STINGY VS. THE RUN
Since 2017, Northwest has held 18 opponents to 20 rushing yards or less in a game.
    Northwest held Missouri Western to minus-17 yards rushing in its 27-23 win. It is the seventh time since 2017 that Northwest has held an opponent to minus rushing yards in a game.

20 Rushing Yds Allowed (or less) Since 2017
7 at Northeastern State (11/4/23)
-17 at Missouri Western (10/14/23)
2 yds vs. Lincoln (9/23/23)
7 yds at Fort Hays State (9/16/23)
18 at Ouachita Baptist (11/19/22)
-16 yds vs. Northeastern State (10/22/22)
-3 yds vs. Central Missouri (9/17/22)
13 yds vs. Fort Hays State (9/1/22)
16 yds vs. Emporia State (11/13/21)
-10 yds. vs. Missouri Southern (11/6/21)
8 yds. at Missouri Western (10/2/21)
-28 yds. vs. Central Oklahoma (9/25/21)
16 yds. at Missouri Southern (9/21/19)
12 yds. vs. Fort Hays State (11/3/18)
5 yds. vs. Lindenwood (10/21/17)
-22 yds. at Northeastern State (10/14/17)
17 vs. Central Oklahoma (10/7/17)
-43 yds. vs. Missouri Southern (9/23/17)

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.

DUMAS NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR CAMPBELL TROPHY
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) proudly announced a record number of 203 semifinalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The new high-water mark eclipses the 201 nominees in 2023. The impressive list of candidates, from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, boasts an impressive 3.63 average GPA, with more than half of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor's degrees.
    Linebacker Andrew Dumas is among the semifinalists for the prestigious honor. Dumas gained his undergraduate degree in chemistry (biochemistry) with a 3.89 grade point average. Dumas has a 4.0 GPA in grad school at Northwest he pursues a master's degree. Dumas would like to continue his education at UMKC in its master's of anesthesia program or other potential medical schools. Dumas was an MIAA Scholar-Athlete in 2023 and has been a five-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll selection.
    Dumas has served as a team captain for the Bearcat football team the past two seasons. He gained MIAA honorable mention honors in 2023.
    Dumas, a native of Olathe, Kan., is the son of Ronald and Lynn Dumas. He played high school football at Olathe Northwest.

HONORING BRANDON MISENER
The Bearcats will honor Brandon Misener, the founder of D2Football.com with a helmet decal.
    Misener suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. He has been hospitalized near his home in Kansas City since May 7.
    A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist Brandon and his family. All donations are humbly appreciated.