Game No. 5 - No. 11/15 Emporia State (4-0/3-0 MIAA) at Northwest Missouri State (2-2/2-1 MIAA)
Saturday, Sept. 28 | 1:35 p.m. (CT) | Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Stadium (6,500)

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TV - 38 the Spot (KMCI - Kansas City)

Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Matt Tritten
Radio Sideline: Jackson Phelps

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team (2-2 overall, 2-1 MIAA) will celebrate its Family Weekend by playing host to the No. 11-ranked Emporia State University Hornets (4-0 overall, 3-0 MIAA). Kick is set for 1:35 p.m. Saturday at Bearcat Stadium.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, join in on the Northwest Missouri State University Family Weekend fun by participating in Bearcat Football's "Stripe Out" game as the 'Cats take on No. 11 Emporia State. The Stripe Out will be alternating sections of Bearcat green and white.

Sitting in a green section? Wear 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍!
Sitting in a white section? Wear 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄!

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest holds a 36-3 lead in the all-time series with Emporia State.
    Emporia State snapped a 29-game losing streak to Northwest when the Hornets posted a 33-13 victory at Bearcat Stadium on Sept. 7, 2023.
    ESU's only other 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.
    Saturday's matchup will mark the eighth time in the last 11 meetings between the two schools the game will be played at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville.

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)
L, 33-13 vs. ESU (9/7/23)

THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA and No. 6 in the nation in third-down conversion percentage.
    The Bearcats have converted 53.6% of their third-down chances this season. Northwest is 30-of-56 on third downs.
    In its two wins this season, Northwest went 10-of-16 on third downs vs. Fort Hays State and 12-of-16 vs. Missouri Southern (22-of-32 - 68.8%).
    Northwest is the only MIAA school converting better than 50% of its third-down chances this year.

NCAA Div. II 3rd Down Conversions
1. Valdosta St.            .640
2. Harding            .636
3. Colorado School of Mines    .568
4. Findlay                .568
5. Grand Valley St.            .558
6. Northwest Mo. St.        .536
7. Western Colorado        .525
8. Limestone            .514
9. Wheeling            .512
10. Central Washington        .512

BEARCAT POSSESS EYE-POPPING PASSING NUMBERS
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the MIAA and No. 8 in the nation in passing offense at 313.3 yards per game.
    In terms of total passing yards, Northwest ranks No. 4 in the nation and No. 2 in the MIAA with 1,253 yards through the air through four games.

NCAA Div. II Passing Yards/Game
1. Central Missouri            433.3
2. MSU Moorhead            341.3
3. Limestone            340.7
4. Clark Atlanta            330.3
5. CSU Pueblo            325.0
6. Central Oklahoma        322.3
7. Franklin Pierce            320.7
8. Northwest Mo. St.        313.3
9. Emporia St.            303.8
10. UIndy                303.0

NCAA Div. II Passing Yards
1. Clark Atlanta            1,321
2. CSU Pueblo            1,300
    Central Missouri            1,300
4. Northwest Mo. St.        1,253
5. Emporia St.            1,215
6. Texas Permian Basin        1,173
7. Pittsburg St.            1,118
8. Michigan Tech            1,094
9. Valdosta St.            1,074
10. Minnesota St.            1,038

TOP TOTAL DEFENSE IN MIAA
Northwest ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in total defense. The Bearcats are allowing 259.5 total yards per game.

FEWEST PASSING YARDS
ALLOWED IN MIAA
The Bearcat defense ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in fewest passing yards allowed per game (166.8).

Opponent        Passing Yds.
Minnesota State    209
Nebraska-Kearney    141
Fort Hays State        213
Missouri Southern    104

RUHNKE WORKS HIS WAY ONTO NATIONAL SCENE
Junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke is among the national and MIAA leaders in a handful of statistical categories through the first four weeks.
    
Ruhnke in NCAA, MIAA Rankings
Stat (Ruhnke's total)    Nat'l    MIAA
Completion % (.728)    3rd    2nd
Passing Yards (1,183)    5th    3rd
Completions/Game (24.8)    6th    4th
Pts. Responsible For (66)    8th    2nd
Passing Touchdowns (10)    9th    2nd
Passing Efficiency (162.8)    13th    2nd
Yards/Pass Attempt (8.7)    15th    2nd

NO. 3 IN COMPLETION %
Chris Ruhnke ranks No. 3 in the nation in completion percentage (72.8%).
    Ruhnke has completed 99 of 136 passing attempts this season.
    He completed 80.5% of his passes in a 32-20 win over Fort Hays State to become the 11th Bearcat quarterback to hit on 80% of passes in a game.

NCAA Div. II Passing Percentage Leaders
1. Jeff Huff (Central Oklahoma)    .771
2. Drake Davis (Quincy)        .771
3. Chris Ruhnke (Northwest Mo. St.)    .728
4. Preston Brown (Catawba)        .726
5. Trinidad Chambliss (Ferris St.)    .722
6. Harold Cook (Shorter)        .708
7. Evan Foster (Colorado Mines)    .701
8. Lek Powell (Shepherd)        .696
9. Isaiah Knowles (Albany St.)    .695
10. Sammy Edwards (Valdosta St.)    .694

RUHNKE RANKS FIFTH IN THE NATION IN PASS YARDS
Chris Ruhnke ranks No. 5 in the nation and No. 3 in the MIAA with 1,183 passing yards.
    Ruhnke is 99-of-136 passing (70.9%) and 10 touchdowns through four contests. He is averaging 295.8 yards per game.
    For his career, Ruhnke is 120-of-180 passing for 1,482 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has a career passing efficiency rating of 149.66.

NCAA Div. II Passing Yardage Leaders
1. David Wright III (Clark Atlanta)    1,311
2. Zach Zebrowski (Central Missouri)    1,289
3. Devin Larsen (CSU Pueblo)    1,253
4. Gunnar Gundy (Emporia St.)    1,215
5. Chris Ruhnke (Northwest Mo. St.)    1,183
6. Dylan Graham (Texas Permian Basin)    1,123
7. Chad Dodson Jr. (Pittsburg St.)    1,116
8. Jack Strand (MSU Moorhead)    1,022
9. Alex Fries (Michigan Tech)    1,019
10. Sammy Edwards (Valdosta St.)    1,000

SECOND 300-YARD GAME FOR RUHNKE AT MSSU
Junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke collected his second career 300-yard passing game with a 331-yard performance in a 59-0 win at Missouri Southern.
    Ruhnke went 26-of-33 passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns at Missouri Southern.
    Earlier this season, Ruhne went 25-of-38 passing for 311 yards and two touchdowns at Nebraska-Kearney.
    Ruhnke's 300-yard passing game at MSSU was the 71st all-time 300-yard game in school history.

SPREADING IT AROUND
Bearcat quarterback Chris Ruhnke has thrown 10 touchdown passes to eight different receivers in 2024.

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

NW RANKS NO. 8 IN NATION IN TD PASSES
Northwest quarterbacks have passed for 11 touchdowns, which ranks tied for No. 8 in the nation among NCAA Div. II teams.
    
NCAA Div. II Passing Touchdowns
1. Clark Atlanta        15
2. Shaw            14
3. Central Missouri        13
4. Wayne St.        12
    Valdosta State        12
    Michigan Tech        12
7. Northwest Mo. St.    11
    Texas Permian Basin    11
    Minnesota-Duluth    11
    CSU Pueblo        11

MYERS IS AN ALL-PURPOSE THREAT
Junior Dominic Myers gained a team-high 123 all-purpose yards at Missouri Southern. Myers returned six punts for 63 yards, rushed the ball four times for 51 yards and caught one pass for nine yards against the Lions.

MATHEWS IS THE TOP TARGET
Junior wide receiver Luke Mathews ranks No. 4 in the MIAA in receiving yards per game (83.3).
    Mathews has caught 17 passes for 333 yards. 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

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.

STOCKARD GAINS FIRST SACK
Redshirt freshman Jacob Stockard tallied his first collegiate quarterback sack in the final two minutes of Northwest's 59-0 win at Missouri Southern.

FISHER RACKS UP SACKS, TFLS
Senior defensive lineman Jake Fisher has posted 26.5 career tackles-for-loss and 14.0 career quarterback sacks.
    Fisher ranks No. 10 among active NCAA Div. II leaders in tackles-for-loss yards lost with 156.

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)

SHANE SNAGS PICK-SIX
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 (132)
    Fredrickson leads the Bearcats this season with 22 stops through four contests.

60 TIMES OF 50 OR MORE
Northwest has scored 50 or more points in a game 60 times in the history of the program. Northwest scored a 59-0 win at Missouri Southern.
    It was the 16th time Northwest has scored 50 or more points since head coach Rich Wright took over in 2017.

HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest is a perfect 53-0 under head coach Rich Wright when the Bearcats lead at the half.
    Northwest has won 81 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.

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.
    Young has scored three career rushing touchdowns. He has amassed 1,066 all-purpose yards in 22 games in a Bearcat uniform.
    He has scored seven touchdowns as a collegian.

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.

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.)    61-19
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

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. Fisher has played in 28 games and has made 27 starts as a Bearcat. Fisher has registered 67 tackles, 26.5 tackles-for-loss and 14 sacks in four seasons at Northwest.
    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 39 games of his Bearcat career at cornerback. Smith has notched 107 career tackles, 22 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.

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.

TRE'ON TALLIES A PICK
Senior defensive back Tre'on Jones secured his first interception of the season and third pick of his career against Minnesota State.

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.

ONE-SCORE GAMES
Under head coach Rich Wright, Northwest has produced a mark of 12-9 in one-score games.

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 Mo. St.    26
Grand Valley State    22
North Alabama    21
Pittsburg State    20
Indiana (Pa.)    19
Valdosta State    19
UC Davis    18
North Dakota State    17
Carson-Newman    16
Shepherd    15
Albany State    14
Ferris State    14
Minnesota State    14
North Dakota    14
West Chester    14

Consecutive Div. II Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    18 (2004-2022)
Grand Valley State    10 (2001-2010)
Ferris State    9     (2014-pres.)
Pittsburg State    9    (1989-1997)
Albany State    8    (2004-2011)
Tex. A&M-Kingsville    7    (1992-1998)
Carson-Newman    7    (1993-1999)
UC Davis    7    (1996-2002)
North Alabama    7 (2005-2011)
North Dakota State    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 23 years.

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.        6
North Alabama    5
Pittsburg St.        5
Jacksonville St.    4
Carson-Newman    3
Delaware        3
Ferris St.        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.    39
North Alabama    35
Valdosta St.    31
North Dakota St.    30
Pittsburg St.    27
Ferris St.    26
Indiana (Pa.)    22
Carson-Newman    20
Shepherd    20

Div. II Playoff Win Percentage
West Florida    12-4    .750
Northwest Mo. St.    53-20     .726
North Dakota State    30-12     .714
Tex. A&M-Commerce    9-4    .692
Grand Valley State    39-18     .684
Ferris State    26-12    .684
Valdosta State    31-15     .674
North Alabama     35-18     .660
Delaware    7-4    .636
Northern Colorado    12-7    .632
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 107 wins. North Dakota State ranks second with 77 playoff victories. Wisconsin-Whitewater has posted 58 playoff triumphs.
    NDSU won 30 NCAA Div. II playoff games before transitioning to FCS where the Bison have picked up 47 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 44 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    53-20 (26 years)
Pittsburg State    27-18 (20 years)
Central Missouri    4-5 (5 years)
Central Oklahoma    3-4 (4 years)
Emporia State    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)

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.

BEARCATS BOAST OF 28 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
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

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.

'CATS TABBED THIRD IN PRESEASON MIAA POLLS
The Northwest Missouri State University football team has been projected to finish third in the preseason MIAA coaches' and media polls.
    Central Missouri claimed the top spot on both the 2024 preseason coaches poll and preseason media poll. The defending MIAA co-champions collected eight first-place votes from MIAA head coaches and totaled 20 first-place selections in the media poll. Central Missouri finished 11-2 overall and 9-1 in the MIAA last season. The Mules ended last season in a 35-34 loss to Harding in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs – Harding went on to win the 2023 national championship. Pittsburg State, the league's other defending MIAA co-champion, was picked second in both polls with two first-place nods from MIAA coaches and six from media representatives.

2024 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri [8] - 80 pts
2. Pittsburg State [2] - 73 pts
3. Northwest Missouri St. - 58 pts
4. Emporia State - 56 pts
5. Fort Hays State - 55 pts
6. Missouri Western - 42 pts
7. Central Oklahoma - 31 pts
8. Missouri Southern - 24 pts
9. Washburn - 16 pts
10. Nebraska Kearney - 15 pts

2024 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Central Missouri [20] - 254 pts
2. Pittsburg State [6] - 231 pts
3. Northwest Missouri St. - 199 pts
4. Missouri Western - 158 pts
5. Fort Hays State - 155 pts
6. Emporia State - 145 pts
7. Central Oklahoma - 94 pts
8. Missouri Southern - 81 pts
9. Washburn - 60 pts
10. Nebraska Kearney - 53 pts

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.