Game No. 9 - No. 14 Northwest Missouri State (7-1, 6-0 MIAA) at Emporia State (4-4, 3-3 MIAA)
Sat., Nov. 1 | 2 p.m. (CT) | Emporia, Kan. | Welch Stadium (7,000)

MIAA NETWORK STREAM | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

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

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The No. 14-ranked Northwest Missouri State University football squad (7-1 overall, 6-0 MIAA) will play its final road game of the regular season Saturday against the Emporia State University Hornets (4-4, 3-3 MIAA).
    Kick is set for 2 p.m. at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kan., as the Hornets celebrate their annual Homecoming game.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest holds a 37-3 lead in the all-time series with Emporia State. Northwest has won 30 of the last 31 meetings between the two programs.
    The Bearcats have won 16 straight times in Emporia. ESU's only win over Northwest in Emporia came 60 years ago on Oct. 9, 1965 when the Hornets scored a 28-27 triumph at home.

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)
W, 14-9 vs. ESU (9/28/24)

SEVEN CONSECUTIVE WINS
Northwest moved its win streak to seven with its 14-0 win against Nebraska-Kearney.
    The last time Northwest won seven games in a row it came in a 38-game win streak for the Bearcats from 2015-2017.

MAGIC NUMBER = 2 TO CLINCH MIAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Northwest's magic number to clinch at least a share of its 32nd MIAA regular season title is two.
    Any combination of Northwest wins and Pittsburg State losses that equal two would give the Bearcats a share of the regular season championship.
    It would be Northwest's first conference crown since 2021. Northwest is looking for its 22nd outright MIAA crown (32 overall).

MIAA Titles Won/Shared
Northwest Mo. St.    31
Truman St.         26
Southeast Mo. St.    17
Pittsburg State     14
Central Missouri     10
Missouri S&T        8
Missouri State        7
Fort Hays State     2
Missouri Western     2
Emporia State        1
Lincoln             1
Missouri Southern     1
Washburn         1
Central Oklahoma     1

BEARCATS MOVE UP IN NAT'L TOP 25 POLLS
The Northwest Missouri State University football team has moved up two positions to No. 14 in this week's American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll.
    The Bearcats also rose one spot to No. 11 in this week's D2Football.com poll.

MASSEY RATINGS
In this week's Massey Ratings, Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation and Emporia State is ranked No. 29.
    Northwest is one of four teams with both a top-10 ranked offense and defense – Ferris State (Off. - 1; Def. - 2), Harding (Off. - 2; Def. 1), Northwest Mo. St. (Off. - 6; Def. - 6), Central Washington (Off. - 8; Def. - 7).

NCAA Div. II Massey Ratings - Top 10
1. Ferris St.            6.59
2. Harding            6.24
3. Northwest Missouri St.        5.83
4. Pittsburg State            5.80
5. Kutztown            5.70
6. Central Washington        5.69
7. West Florida            5.60
8. UIndy                5.60
9. Western Colorado        5.55
10. Grand Valley St.        5.51

DEFENSIVE LOCKDOWN
Northwest's defense is in lockdown mode after posting a shutout and back-to-back performances without allowing a touchdown.
    Northwest dominated Fort Hays State (W, 52-3) and Nebraska-Kearney (W, 14-0).
    FHSU managed 131 yards of total offense, while UNK was held to 111 yards of total offense.
    It's the second straight week Northwest has held an opponent to less than 100 yards passing. FHSU passed for 87 yards and UNK threw for 39 yards.

NO. 1 IN MIAA, NO. 11 IN NATION IN TOTAL DEFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 1 in the MIAA and No. 11 in the nation in total defense (276.1 yards/game).

NCAA Div. II Leaders - Total Defense
1. Harding        216.0
2. Kutztown        216.0
3. Indiana, Pa.        232.0
4. Ashland        235.8
5. Findlay            236.1
6. West Florida        250.1
7. Savannah St.        255.6
8. Ferris St.        257.5
9. Anderson        272.8
10. Chadron St.        274.1
11. Northwest Mo. St.    276.1

FEWEST FIRST DOWNS
ALLOWED IN MIAA
Northwest leads the MIAA and ranks tied for No. 13 in the country in first downs allowed on defense (121).
    Northwest has held five opponents to less than 20 first downs this season (Washburn - 6; Texas A&M-Kingsville - 15; Missouri Southern - 18; Fort Hays State - 11; Nebraska-Kearney - 6).
THIRD-DOWN STOPS
Part of the reason Northwest has not allowed many first down is because of its play on third down.
    Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation and tops in the MIAA in third-down conversion percentage defense (27.8%).
    In MIAA games, Northwest has allowed only 18 of 80 conversions on third down (22.5%). Pittsburg State ranks No. 2 in the MIAA at 32.5% (27-of-83).

NCAA Div. II Leaders - 3rd-Down Conv. Def.
1. West Florida        22.1%
2. Johnson C. Smith    24.5%
3. Ferris St.        25.5%
4. Albany St.        25.7%
5. Ashland        26.7%
6. Northwest Mo. St.    27.8%
7. Northwood        28.3%
8. Benedict        28.4%
9. Findlay            28.7%
10. Indiana, Pa.        28.9%

NW Def. 3rd-Down Conv. Def - MIAA ONLY
Washburn    1-14 (7.1%)
Missouri Southern    3-10 (30.0%)
Central Oklahoma    5-15 (33.3%)
Central Missouri    6-18 (33.3%)
Fort Hays State    2-12 (16.7%)
Nebraska-Kearney    1-11 (9.1%)

BEARCATS NET THREE PICKS VS LOPERS
The Bearcats snared three interceptions in its 14-0 shutout of the UNK Lopers.
    Clayton Power, O'Shea Davis and Michael Harrison picked up interceptions against the Lopers.
    It is the most interceptions in a game by the Bearcats since Northwest picked off three passes at Washburn on Oct. 5, 2024.
    Power is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2) with Parker Bowen and Antwon Jenkins Jr.

POINTS ARE HARD TO COME BY FOR BEARCAT OPPONENTS
In Northwest's seven-game winning streak, the Bearcats are allowing 13.1 points per game.
    For the fifth time in seven games, Northwest held an opponent to 16 points.
    For the first time since the 2017 season, Northwest has not allowed a touchdown in back-to-back games.
    Northwest leads the MIAA in scoring defense (16.3 ppg). The Bearcats have allowed a league-low 16 touchdowns.
    The Bearcats are tied for No. 11 in the country for the fewest touchdowns allowed (16).
    Northwest is tied for No. 12 in the nation in scoring defense (16.3 ppg).

NCAA Div. II Leaders - Def. TDs Allowed
1. Harding        6
2. Kutztown        8
3. Findlay            11
4. Ferris St.        12
    Albany St.        12
    Carson-Newman    12
7. Western Colorado    13
    Delta St.        13
    Northwood        13
10. Ashland        15
11. Northwest Mo. St.    16
      West Florida        16
      Johnson C. Smith    16
      Ohio Dominican    16
      Indiana, Pa.        16

NCAA Div. II Leaders - Defense Scoring
1. Harding        5.4
2. Kutztown        7.4
3. Ferris St.        11.5
    Findlay            11.5
5. Albany St.        11.8
6. Northwood        12.8
7. Western Colorado    13.4
8. Carson-Newman    14.4
    Delta St.        14.4
10. Ashland        14.9
11. West Florida        15.1
12. Northwest Mo. St.    16.3
      Johnson C. Smith    16.3
      UNC-Pembroke    16.3
'CATS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR 6
Northwest leads the MIAA in scoring offense (33.9 ppg) and ranks No. 27 in the nation.
    The Bearcats have scored a league-best 38 touchdowns, which ranks No. 19 in the nation.
    Northwest leads the MIAA with 24 rushing touchdowns. Northwest is tied for seventh in the nation in rushing scores.

NCAA Div. II Leaders - Rushing TDs Scored
1. Harding        45
2. Ferris St.        32
3.  Virginia Union        30
4. Kutztown        28
5. Delta St.        26
    Central Washington    26
7. Northwest Mo. St.    24
    UIndy            24
    East Stroudsburg    24
10. Saginaw Valley St.    23

BEARCATS ARE THE LEAGUE'S BEST RUSHERS
Northwest is churning out an MIAA-best 251.3 rushing yards per contest. Northwest ranks No. 10 in the country in rushing yards per game.
    Northwest has surpassed the 200-yard rushing mark five times this season. The Bearcats rushed for 246 yards at Washburn, 305 yards vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 217 yards at Missouri Southern, 358 at Central Missouri and 437 vs. Fort Hays State.

NCAA Div. II Leaders - Rushing Offense
1. Harding        435.3
2. Virginia Union        305.4
3. Eastern New Mexico    301.9
4. New Mexico Highlands    300.4
5. Ferris St.        297.0
6. Minot St.        291.3
7. Central Washington    285.9
8. Northern Michigan    261.1
9. Carson-Newman    251.4
10. Northwest Mo. St.    251.3

FOUR WITH 300 OR MORE RUSHING YARDS
Northwest's offense features four players with 300 or more yards rushing.
    Zechariah Owens leads the team with 536 rushing yards (7.7 yards/carry) and a team-best 10 touchdowns on the ground.
    Quincy Torry ranks second on the team with 493 rushing yards (6.4 yards/carry).
    Te'Shaun Porter is third on th team with 350 yards (4.4 yards/carry) and six rushing touchdowns.
    Dominic Myers is fourth on the team in rushing with 332 yards (6.6 yards/carry) with three ground scores.

EXPLOSIVE GROUND GAME
Northwest produced three rushing touchdowns of 50 yards or more in its 52-3 win over Fort Hays State.
    Quarterback Zechariah Owens scored two of those long touchdown runs on sprints of 56 and 73 yards vs. the Tigers. Running back Quincy Torry added an 85-yard TD burst vs. FHSU.
    The Bearcats have had seven rushing touchdowns of 40 yards or more this season.

40+ Yard TD Runs in 2025
85, Quincy Torry vs. FHSU
73, Zechariah Owens vs. FHSU
56, Zechariah Owens vs. FHSU
55, Quincy Torry at UCM
54, Chris Ruhnke vs. UCO
44, Zechariah Owens at UCM
40, Dominic Myers vs. TAMUK

TWO 100-YARD RUSHERS
For the second time this season, Northwest had a pair of 100-yard rushers in a single game.
    Zechariah Owens (164) and Quincy Torry (114) did it against Fort Hays State. Dominic Myers (157) and Quincy Torry (117) eclipsed the century mark on the ground vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville.

NW's 100-Yard Rushers in 2025
164, Zechariah Owens vs. FHSU
152, Dominic Myers vs. TAMUK
124, Zechariah Owens at UCM
117, Quincy Torry vs. TAMUK
114, Quincy Torry vs. FHSU

OWENS IS A SCORING THREAT
Redshirt freshman quarterback Zechariah Owens has been a scoring threat for Bearcat opponents.
    Owens has rushed for 494 yards and an MIAA-best 10 touchdowns.
    Owens is tied for the nation's lead among rushing touchdowns by quarterbacks with Ferris State's Wyatt Bower, Central Washington's Kennedy McGill, Post's Tyler Phommachanh and Minnesota-Duluth's Kyle Walljasper with 10.
    Owens is one of four NCAA Div. II freshmen with 10 or more rushing touchdowns this season joining New Mexico Highlands's Jeffery Jones (12), UIndy's Juseters Fataki (10) and Ferris State's Wyatt Bower (10).
    Owens has passed for six touchdowns. He has completed 65.0% (52-of-80) of his passes. Owens has a QB efficiency rating of 156.02.

O-LINE GETTING IT DONE
The Northwest offensive line is tied with Harding and Minot State for the nation's lead for the fewest quarterback sacks allowed (3).
    Northwest has had more passing attempts (225) than both Harding (32) and Minot State (54).

Fewest Sacks Allowed NCAA Div. II Leaders
1. Northwest Mo. St.    3
    Minot St.        3
    Harding        3
4. Ferris St.        4
5. Delta St.        5
    East Stroudsburg    5
7. Central Washington    6
    Glenville St.        6
    Kutztown         6
    Northern St.        6
    Southern Arkansas    6
    Virginia Union        6

BEARCATS GENERATE PLENTY OF TOTAL OFFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 9 in the nation and No. 3 in the MIAA in total offense by averaging 458.5 yards per game.
    The Bearcats have produced five games of 400 or more yards of total offense this season (Washburn - 495; Texas A&M-Kingsville - 646; Central Oklahoma - 409; Central Missouri - 501; Fort Hays State - 580).
    Northwest generated a season-high 646 yards of total offense against Texas A&M-Kingsville. It was the most yards of total offense in a game since a 670-yard output against Lincoln on Sept. 10, 2022.

NCAA Div. II Leaders - Total Offense
1. Ferris St.        522.9
2. UIndy            495.1
3. Virginia Union        476.0
4. Northern St.        473.8
5. Fairmont St.        468.9
6. Central Missouri        464.8
7. Central Oklahoma    460.5
    Harding        460.5
9. Northwest Mo. St.    458.5
10. West Florida        456.4

HARD TO SCORE THROUGH THE AIR AGAINST NORTHWEST
The Bearcat defense ranks No. 1 in the MIAA and is tied for No. 8 in the nation in fewest touchdown passes allowed (6).

Fewest Pass TDs Allowed NCAA Div. II
1. Harding        3
2. Indiana, Pa.        4
3. Chadron St.        5
    Kutztown        5
    Carson-Newman    5
    Findlay            5
    Albany St.        5
8. Northwest Mo. St.    6
    Minnesota St.        6
    Fort Valley St.        6
    Ouachita Baptist    6
    Delta St.        6

JORDAN HUNTS QBS
Sophomore defensive end Jordan Pigram landed two more quarterback sacks vs. Fort Hays State to give him 6.5 sacks this season.
    Pigram leads the Bearcats and ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in quarterback sacks (6.5).

OWENS ACCOUNTS FOR SIX OF SEVEN TDS AT UCM; NAMED MIAA POW
Redshirt freshman quarterback Zechariah Owens accounted for six touchdowns in Northwest's 49-32 win at Central Missouri and earned the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week award.
    Owens rushed for four touchdowns and threw for two more. The six total touchdowns tied for the second-most touchdowns by a Northwest player in a single game in program history.

Northwest Most Touchdowns Game
7, Kyle Zimmerman vs. PSU (11/29/16)
6, Trevor Adams vs. ESU (11/9/13)
6, Kyle Zimmerman vs. NSU (10/15/16)
6, Zach Martin vs. MSSU (9/23/17)
6, Mike Hohensee vs. UCM (9/18/21)
6, Zechariah Owens vs. UCM (10/11/25)

QUINCY ECLIPSES 100 YARDS
Redshirt freshman Quincy Torry began fall camp fifth on the depth chart, but through seven games he ranks No. 2 on the team in rushing yards (428).
    Torry gained his first collegaite 100-yard rushing game vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville with 117 yards on 15 carries.
    Torry gained his second 100-yard rushing contest with a 114-yard performance on eight carries vs. FHSU. Torry raced to an 85-yard touchdown scamper against FHSU.

EDWARDS STUFFS STAT SHEET
Senior linebacker Carter Edwards was credited with 15 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a quarterback sack and a forced fumble in Northwest's 49-32 win at Central Missouri.
    Edwards leads the Bearcats in tackles (53) and forced fumbles (3) this season.
    Edwards has played in 28 career games and has tallied 134 total tackles. In his Bearcat career, Edwards has generated 14.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles.

17 DIFFERENT RECEIVERS
Northwest has spread the ball around to 17 different receivers this season.
    Luke Mathews leads the group with 27 receptions, 331 yards and five touchdowns.
    Erwin Nash is second on the squad with 21 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns.
    Mathews is the active career leader for Northwest in receptions (66), receiving yards (1,059) and touchdown catches (7).
    Of the 17 different receivers to have caught a pass, 15 of them have three or more receptions.

MO PILES UP POINTS
Junior kicker Mo Alwaely ranks second on the squad this season with 41 points.
    Alwaely is 35-of-36 on extra points and 2-of-3 on field goals.
    Alwaely transferred to Northwest from Lincoln University (Mo.). As a Blue Tiger, Alwaely went 30-of-31 on extra points and 19-of-33 on field goals.
    Alwaely has scored 128 career points as collegiate kicker.

Alwaely's Career Kicking Stats
Year        PATs    FGs    Long    Pts.
2023        12-13    10-18    49    42
2024        18-18    9-16    50    45
2025        35-36    2-3    40    41
Totals    65-67    21-37    50    128

SPREADING IT AROUND
Bearcat quarterback Chris Ruhnke has thrown 30 touchdown passes to 17 different receivers in his career.
    Ruhnke is 347-of-561 passing for 4,150 yards and 30 touchdowns. He has a career passing efficiency rating of 133.08.

Ruhnke's Career TD Passes
2023
Kashan Griffin - 20 yards vs. Lincoln, Mo.
Kashan Griffin - 26 yards vs. Lincoln, Mo.
Jamar Simpson - 19 yards vs. Lincoln, Mo.

2024
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.
Eric Richardson - 15 yards at Missouri Western

2025
Jackson Miller - 13 yards at Washburn
Luke Mathews - 4  yards vs. TAMUK
Luke Mathews - 5 yards vs. TAMUK
Andrew Waltke - 16 yards vs. TAMUK
Erwin Nash - 12 yards vs. TAMUK
Dominic Myers - 25 yards at Mo. Southern
Erwin Nash - 25 yards vs. Central Okla.
Jackson Miller - 68 yards vs. Central Okla.

MATHEWS LATCHES SECOND 100-YARD GAME
Senior wide receiver Luke Mathews achieved his second career 100-yard receiving game with a nine-catch, 108-yard performance against Central Missouri.
    Mathews also nabbed a pair of touchdown receptions from Zechariah Owens against the Mules from 28 yards and seven yards.
    Mathews's nine receptions are the most by a Bearcat wide receiver since Alec Tatum had an 11-catch, 205-yard performance vs. Central Oklahoma (Sept. 25, 2021).

MYERS MAKING PLAYS
Senior running back/returner Dominic Myers is averaging a team-best 81.2 all-purpose yards per game. Myers is fourth on the team in rushing yards (332) with three touchdowns on the ground.
    Myers put his rushing talents on display against Texas A&M-Kingsville. Myers rushed for a career-high 157 yards on 10 carries. Myers finished off the scoring vs. the Javelinas with a 40-yard touchdown jaunt. It was Myers's first 100-yard rushing game of his Bearcat career.
    In 29 career games, Myers has accumulated 1,713 all-purpose yards (538 rushing; 122 receiving; 422 punt returns; 631 kick returns).

MYERS RANKS NO. 10 IN NW CAREER PUNT RETURN YARDS
Senior Dominic Myers ranks No. 10 in Bearcat history with 422 punt return yards. Myers has fielded 40 career punts.
    He also ranks tied for No. 9 on the NCAA Div. II active career list for punt return yards (422).

Northwest Career Punt Return Yards
1. Jamaica Rector (2001-04)        1,494
2. Tony Miles (1997-2000)        1,490
3. Kendall Wright (2005-08)        1,233
4. Joe Spinello (1965-68)        963
5. Shawn Bane Jr. (2015-18)        878
6. Jordan Simmons (2009-12)    825
7. Jason Melnick (1994-96)        782
8. Jeff Linden (1981-84)        634
9. Joe Wingate (1970-73)        561
10. Dominic Myers (2023-pres.)    4222

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders PR Yards
1. Andrew Cook (CSU Pueblo)    794
2. Konnor Mickelseon (Colo. Mines)    701
3. Ryan Medeiros (Pittsburg St.)    604
4. Cam Peoples (Emory & Henry)    588
5. Ethan Holbrook (Tiffin)        500
6. Cameron Watts (Albany St.)    424
7. Dominic Myers (Northwest Mo. St.)    422
8. Riely Weiss (Ashland)        418
9. Anthony Crowell (UIndy)        415
10. Kalen Frazier (Indiana, Pa.)    411

DEFENSIVE SHOW VS. FHSU
The Bearcat defense was stellar in a 52-3 win over Fort Hays State. FHSU was limited to 11 first downs, 44 rushing yards, 87 passing yards and 131 yards of total offense.
    FHSU ran 50 plays and averaged a paltry 2.6 yards per play.
    The three points are the fewest points FHSU has scored against Northwest since being shutout in back-to-back years in 2006 (L, 59-0) and 2007 (L, 17-0).

50+ POINT GAMES
Northwest put up 52 points against Fort Hays State. It is the 63rd time the Bearcats have surpassed the 50-point mark in program history.

437 RUSHING YARDS VS FHSU
Northwest gained a season-high 437 rushing yards in its 52-3 win vs. Fort Hays State. It is the most rushing yards gained in a single game by an MIAA team this season.
    It marked the most rushing yards for the Bearcats since a 443-yard rushing performance against Northeastern State on Nov. 2, 2019. Northwest also tallied 413 rushing yards vs. Lindenwood (Nov. 30, 2019) in a second-round NCAA Div. II playoff game.

OWENS HITS 100-YARD MARK AT CENTRAL MISSOURI
Quarterback Zechariah Owens surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career with a 124-yard effort in a 49-32 win at Central Missouri.
    Owens rushed the ball 11 times and scored four rushing touchdowns (1, 2, 8, 44) against the Mules. Owens averaged 11.3 yards per carry vs. the Mules.
    Owens is one of three NCAA Div. II quarterbacks this season to have rushed for four touchdowns in a game - joining Minnesota-Duluth's Kyle Walljasper (Sept. 20 vs. Sioux Falls) and Michigan Tech's Elliott Larner (Oct. 25 vs. Northern Michigan).
    Owens is one of two MIAA players overall to have rushed for four scores this season - joining Nebraska-Kearney's Isaiah Harris (Sept. 20, 2025 vs. Emporia State).
    It is the 17th time a Bearcat has scored four or more rushing touchdowns in a single game.
    Owens is only the third Bearcat quarterback to record four rushing touchdowns in a game. Owens joined Jeremy Wilson who posted four scores against Missouri Western on Sept. 2, 1989, and Tom Kruse who recorded four touchdowns vs. Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 11, 1989.

Northwest Most Rushing TDs Game
5, Xavier Omon vs. Truman State (9/22/07)
5, Xavier Omon vs. PSU (10/6/07)
4, Jeremy Wilson vs. MWSU (9/2/89)
4, Tom Kruse vs. UNK (11/11/89)
4, Jason Krone vs. WU (10/9/93)
4, Jesse Haynes vs. WU (11/9/96)
4, Xavier Omon vs. ESU (10/7/06)
4, Xavier Omon vs. West Texas (11/24/07)
4, LaRon Council vs. MWSU (9/13/08)
4, LaRon Council vs. PSU (10/4/08)
4, LaRon Council vs. MSSU (11/18/08)
4, LaRon Council vs. North Ala. (12/6/08)
4, Phil Jackson II vs. St. Cloud St. (12/7/13)
4, Justin Rankin vs. NSU (11/2/19)
4, Al McKeller vs. UNK (10/23/21)
4, Jay Harris vs. UCO (10/7/23)
4, Zechariah Owens vs. UCM (10/11/25)

POWER NABS FIRST INT; NAMED MIAA DEFENSIVE POW
Senior defensive lineman Clayton Power was credited with his first career interception in Northwest's 21-14 win at Missouri Southern.
    Power was rewarded as the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week.
    Power produced a game-changing interception with 4:35 to play in Northwest's seven-point road win over Missouri Southern.
    With Northwest holding a 14-7 lead, Power read a screen play from the Lions and gained his first career interception at the MSSU 37-yard line. Power's interception set up Northwest with a short field and led to a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Myers with 3:19 to play that gave the Bearcats a two-score advantage.
    Power also had three tackles on the day as Northwest limited Missouri Southern to 75 rushing yards.

FREDRICKSON SURPASSES 200 CAREER TACKLES
Senior safety Shane Fredrickson surpassed the 200-career tackle mark with eight stops against Central Missouri.
    Fredrickson has collected 208 career tackles entering Saturday's game at Emporia State.
    Fredrickson has played in 42 games and has tallied five interceptions.
    Fredrickson ranks No. 8 among active NCAA Div. II players in solo tackles (159).

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders Solo Tackles
1. Jacob Penney (Ft. Lewis)    183
2. Josiah Hedensten (SW Minn. St.)    181
3. John Johnson (Fort Hays St.)    175
4. Johnny Harris (Findlay)        166
5. Alex Kowalczyk (Wayne St.)    164
6. Clark Griffin (Harding)        163
    Jake Adams (Northern St.)    163
8. Shane Fredrickson (NWMSU)    159
9. Griffin Buzzell (Clarion)        158
10. Jameison Alston (Winston-Salem)    155

BOWEN CRACKS CAREER-HIGH 12 STOPS, PICK VS. UCO
Senior linebacker Parker Brown racked up a career-best 12 tackles and gained his second career interception in Northwest's 38-16 win over No. 15-ranked Central Oklahoma.
    Bowen has recorded both interceptions this season in MIAA play against Washburn and Central Oklahoma.
    Bowen has tallied 40 tackles through eight games. Bowen has been credited with 96 career tackles in 40 games played.

STACKING WINS VS LIONS
Northwest's 30 straight wins over Missouri Southern in the series is tied for the fourth-longest streak in NCAA Div. II history. The streak must be an uninterrupted series of games against one opponent.

Most Consecutive Victories Over One
Opponent In An Uninterrupted Series

1) 38—East Stroudsburg vs. Cheyney (from Oct. 11, 1980 to Sept. 30, 2017)

2) 38—Shepherd vs. West Va. St. (from Nov. 15, 1980, to Sept. 22, 2018)

3) 31—Carson-Newman vs. Lenoir-Rhyne (from Nov. 3, 1979 to Nov. 6, 2010)

4) 30—Northwest Mo. St. vs. Mo. Southern (from Oct. 21, 1995 to present)

5) 29—Northwest Mo. St. vs. Emporia St. (from Oct. 28, 1995 to Nov. 12, 2022)

600-YARD GAMES FOR NW
The Bearcats churned up 646 yards of total offense in its 49-20 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
    Since the 2004 season, Northwest has had 20 games with 600 or more yards of total offense.
    The school record for most yards gained by a Northwest team was 796 vs. Emporia State on Nov. 7, 1992, in Maryville, Mo. Northwest rushed for a school-record 627 rushing yards vs. the Hornets at Rickenbrode Stadium.

NW's 600-Yard Games Since 2004
687 vs. Central Oklahoma (10/12/13)
684 vs. Eastern New Mexico (10/15/11)
678 vs. Missouri S&T (9/18/04)
670 at Lincoln (9/12/22)
667 vs. Central Missouri (11/7/09)
662 vs. Northeastern State (10/15/16)
654 vs. Northeastern State (9/29/12)
651 vs. Missouri Southern (9/23/17)
648 at Northeastern State (10/23/21)
646 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (9/13/25)
636 at Fort Hays State (10/31/09)
633 at Missouri Southern (9/21/19)
621 vs. Northeastern State (11/2/19)
617 vs. Southwest Baptist (9/29/07)
616 at Central Oklahoma (9/27/14)
614 at Northeastern State (11/4/23)
606 at Missouri Southern (10/9/04)
606 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (10/30/21)
605 vs. Washburn (10/22/11)
603 vs. Emporia State (11/12/11)

PIGRAM NOTCHES 3 SACKS
Jordan Pigram recorded three of Northwest's seven quarterback sacks in a 34-7 win at Washburn on Saturday.
    The sophomore defensive lineman was a part of the Bearcat defense that did not allow Washburn to take an offensive snap on the other side of the 50-yard line. All 51 of Washburn's snaps came outside of the 50-yard line.
    Pigram's three sacks accounted for 17 yards lost for the Ichabods, while Washburn rushed for a total of minus-19 yards in the contest.
    
A LOT OF RECEIVING OPTIONS
Bearcat quarterbacks completed passes to 15 different receivers in their 34-7 win at Washburn.

BEARCAT STADIUM DOMINANCE
Since the start of the 2002 season, Northwest football has gone 130-15 in Bearcat Stadium.
    Ten of the 15 losses have come against MIAA opponents - Emporia State in 2023; Fort Hays State in 2017, 2018; Pittsburg State in 2014, 2023, 2024; Missouri Western in 2012; Washburn in 2005 and Central Missouri in 2003, 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).

BEARCATS AMONG D-II ELITE
Since the start of the 1990 season, Northwest has accumulated 347 victories to rank as the highest win total in all of Division II football.
    Northwest has captured the most national titles (6) in the same time frame.
    Northwest went 74-47-1 in the 1990s, 113-21 in the 2000s, 119-18 in the 2010s and 41-15 in the 2020s.

D-II Wins Since 1990    Record
1. Northwest Mo. St.    347-100-1
2. Grand Valley State    344-80-2
3. Pittsburg State    327-95-2
4. Valdosta State    303-104-2
5. Indiana, Pa.        298-98

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    23
North Alabama    21
Pittsburg State    21
Valdosta State    20
Indiana (Pa.)    19
UC Davis    18
Carson-Newman    17
North Dakota State    17
Ferris State    15
Minnesota State    15
Albany 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    10 (2014-pres.)
Pittsburg State    9    (1989-1997)
Albany State    8    (2004-2011)
Tex. A&M-Kings.    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        3
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
Valdosta St.        7
Grand Valley St.    6
North Alabama    5
Pittsburg St.        5
Ferris St.        4
Jacksonville St.    4
Carson-Newman    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.    40
North Alabama    35
Valdosta St.    34
Ferris St.    30
North Dakota St.    30
Pittsburg St.    27
Indiana (Pa.)    22
Carson-Newman    20
Minnesota St.    18
North Dakota    18
Delta St.    17

Div. II Playoff Win Percentage
West Florida    12-4    .750
Northwest Mo. St.    53-20     .726
Ferris State    30-12    .714
North Dakota State    30-12     .714
Tex. A&M-Commerce    9-4    .692
Valdosta State    34-16     .680
Grand Valley State    40-19     .678
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 111 wins. North Dakota State ranks second with 81 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 51 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 45 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Mo. St.    53-20 (26 years)
Pittsburg State    27-19 (21 years)
Central Missouri    4-5 (5 years)
Central Oklahoma    4-5 (5 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)

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 25 players on the list, including 24 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)
Andrew Dumas, LB - 2024 (First Team)
Jake Fisher, DL - 2024 (First Team)

SIX CAPTAINS FOR 2025
Head coach John McMenamin has designated six captains for the 2025 football season.
    McMenamin has named senior running back Jadon Brady (Savannah, Mo.), senior linebacker Carter Edwards (St. Louis, Mo.), senior defensive back Shane Fredrickson (Lee's Summit, Mo.), senior offensive lineman Wes Merriman (Monett, Mo.), senior quarterback Chris Ruhnke (Platte City, Mo.) and senior defensive lineman Nile Schuett (Tipton, Iowa) as team captains.

EDWARDS NAMED TO ELITE 100 WATCH LIST
Senior linebacker Carter Edwards has been named to D2Football.com's Preseason Elite 100 Watch List.
    Edwards is coming off a 2024 season which saw him earn first-team all-MIAA status at linebacker. Edwards played in 10 games and made seven starts at linebacker for the 'Cats last season. He ranked second on the squad in tackles (57) and tied for third on the team in tackles-for-loss (8.0). Edwards tallied two interceptions, notched three sacks and broke up three passes. He was named the MIAA defensive player of the week after helping Northwest to a 14-9 home win over Emporia State. Edwards has played in 29 games and has posted 83 total tackles in his three-year playing career at Northwest.

EIGHT GRADS TAKE THE FIELD THIS YEAR FOR THE 'CATS
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame released a list of 3,675 student-athletes who have already earned their undergraduate degrees and will be playing college football this fall while pursuing second diplomas. This season marks the fourth year the NFF has compiled the list of graduated players.
    Northwest will have eight student-athletes suiting up this season who have already claimed their undergraduate degrees.

Graduates Playing at Northwest
Jadon Brady
Shane Frederickson
Luke Mathews
Tre Melby
Wes Merriman
Tyson Priddy
Chris Ruhnke
Nile Schuett

92-41 VS RANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1992
Northwest has produced a record of 92-41 since the start of the 1992 season.
    Northwest is 1-1 vs. ranked opponents in 2025 with a 38-16 home win over No. 15 Central Oklahoma and a 38-14 loss at No. 11 Minnesota State.

Results vs. Ranked Foes (Since 1992)
9/27/25    W, 38-16 vs. No. 15 Central Oklahoma
8/28/25    L, 38-14 at No. 14 Minnesota State
11/16/24    L, 23-7 vs. No. 13 Pittsburg State
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
12/17/16    W, 29-3 vs. No. 7 North Alabama
12/10/16    W, 35-20 vs. No. 15 Ferris State
12/3/16    W, 35-0 vs. No. 5 Harding
11/26/16    W, 44-13 vs. No. 9 Emporia State
9/1/16        W, 41-14 at No. 24 Emporia State
12/19/15    W, 34-7 vs. No. 5 Shepherd
12/12/15    W, 38-23 vs. No. 7 West Georgia
12/5/15    W, 38-17 vs. No. 18 Emporia State
11/28/15    W, 54-7 vs. No. 11 Humboldt State
11/7/15    W, 44-10 vs. No. 14 Emporia State
10/17/15    W, 31-14 at No. 22 Pittsburg State
11/22/14    L, 25-21 at No. 2 Minnesota Duluth
10/18/14    L, 35-17 vs. No. 17 Pittsburg State
12/21/13    W, 43-28 vs. No. 13 Lenior-Rhyne
12/14/13    W, 27-13 vs. No. 22 Grand Valley St.
12/7/13    W, 59-21 vs. No. 12 St. Cloud State
11/30/13    W, 45-21 vs. No. 5 Minnesota Duluth
11/16/13    W, 51-21 at No. 19 Missouri Western
11/9/13    W, 48-21 at No. 10 Emporia State
11/2/13    W, 52-21 vs. No. 8 Washburn
10/19/13    W, 24-15 vs. No. 7 Pittsburg State
9/5/13        W, 45-24 vs. No. 22 Saginaw Valley St.
11/24/12    L, 38-35 (OT) at No. 1 Minnesota St.
11/17/12    W, 35-0 vs. No. 5 Harding
12/3/11    L, 41-16 at No. 7 Pittsburg State
11/26/11    W, 38-31 at No. 2 Midwestern State
11/19/11    W, 35-29 at No. 16 Missouri Western
11/5/11    L, 31-28 at No. 25 Missouri Western
10/22/11    W, 52-28 vs. No. 3 Washburn
10/8/11    W, 38-20 at No. 19 Central Missouri
10/1/11    L, 38-35 vs. No. 15 Pittsburg State
12/11/10    L, 17-13 at No. 1 Minnesota Duluth
12/4/10    W, 37-20 vs. No. 8 Central Missouri
11/27/10    W, 35-31 at No. 4 Texas A&M-Kings.
11/6/10    W, 17-16 at No. 6 Central Missouri
10/2/10    W, 42-0 at No. 8 Missouri Western
9/2/10        L, 16-7 vs. No. 14 Texas A&M-Kings.
12/12/09    W, 30-23 vs. No. 3 Grand Valley St.
12/5/09    W, 56-31 vs. No. 22 California, Pa.
11/28/09    W, 21-20 at No. 1 Central Washington
11/21/09    W, 35-10 vs. Abilene Christian
11/7/09    W, 56-14 vs. No. 16 Central Missouri
10/24/09    W, 22-19 vs. No. 16 Washburn
10/3/09    W, 49-35 at No. 12 Missouri Western
9/12/09    W, 30-10 vs. No. 4 Pittsburg State
8/27/09    L, 19-14 at No. 5 Abilene Christian
12/13/08    L, 21-14 vs. No. 6 Minnesota Duluth
12/6/08    W, 41-7 vs. No. 5 North Alabama
11/29/08    W, 45-36 at No. 2 Abilene Christian
11/22/08    W, 38-35 vs. No. 10 Pittsburg State
10/11/08    W, 20-13 at No. 17 Central Missouri
10/4/08    W, 35-10 vs. No. 6 Pittsburg State
9/27/08    W, 42-0 vs. No. 5 Omaha
8/30/08    L, 44-27 vs. No. 8 Abilene Christian
12/15/07    L, 25-20 vs. No. 8 Valdosta State
12/8/07    W, 34-16 vs. No. 1 Grand Valley St.
12/1/07    W, 26-13 at No. 2 Chadron State
11/24/07    W, 56-28 vs. No. 4 West Texas A&M
10/6/07    W, 37-34 OT vs. No. 16 Pittsburg St.
9/8/07        L, 25-21 at No. 11 Omaha
12/16/06    L, 17-14 vs. No. 1 Grand Valley State
12/10/06    W, 33-3 vs. No. 6 Bloomsburg
12/2/06    W, 28-21 vs. No. 7 Chadron State
11/25/06    W, 27-0 vs. No. 18 Midwestern State
11/4/06    W, 41-14 vs. No. 8 Pittsburg State
9/23/06    W, 24-21 vs. No. 16 Mo. Western
9/9/06        W, 31-0 vs. No. 10 Omaha
12/10/05    L, 21-17 vs. No. 1 Grand Valley State
12/3/05    W, 25-24 at No. 13 North Alabama
11/26/05    W, 21-10 at No. 23 Pittsburg State
11/19/05    W, 42-32 at No. 12 Washburn
11/12/05    W, 45-15 at No. 10 Angelo State
10/29/05    L, 56-35 vs. No. 15 Pittsburg State
10/8/05    L, 31-28 vs. No. 25 Washburn
9/5/05        L, 28-23 at No. 7 Omaha
11/27/04    L, 50-36 at No. 1 Pittsburg State
11/20/04    W, 34-14 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville
11/6/04    L, 21-17 vs. No. 1 Pittsburg State
9/11/04    W, 38-20 at No. 8 Central Missouri
11/15/03    W, 20-19 vs. No. 8 Pittsburg State
10/11/03    W, 16-13 at No. 10 Emporia State
9/20/03    L, 52-24 vs. No. 7 Central Missouri
11/30/02    L, 23-10 vs. No. 7 Northern Colorado
11/16/02    W, 34-5 vs. No. 23 Emporia State
11/2/02    W, 10-7 vs. No. 6 Central Missouri
10/17/02    W, 29-7 vs. No. 11 Pittsburg State
9/7/02        W, 23-10 vs. No. 23 Omaha
10/13/01    W, 35-31 at No. 6 Pittsburg State
8/30/01    L, 24-21 at No. 5 Omaha
11/18/00    L, 34-17 vs. No. 5 North Dakota State
9/16/00    W, 35-28 vs. No. 6 Pittsburg State
9/2/00        W, 24-17 vs. No. 21 Omaha
12/11/99    W, 58-52 4OT vs. No. 1 Carson-Newman
11/27/99    W, 41-35 at No. 3 Northern Colorado
11/20/99    W, 20-13 vs. No. 9 North Dakota
9/18/99    W, 27-21 at No. 10 Pittsburg State
9/4/99        L, 40-17 at No. 9 Omaha
12/12/98    W, 24-6 vs. No. 3 Carson-Newman
12/5/98    W, 49-34 vs. No. 11 Texas A&M-Kings.
11/28/98    W, 42-17 vs. No. 6 Northern Colorado
11/21/98    W, 28-14 vs. No. 16 Omaha
11/14/98    W, 69-33 vs. No. 10 Emporia State
10/24/98    W, 23-18 vs. No. 18 Pittsburg State
10/25/97    W, 15-14 at No. 2 Pittsburg State
11/30/96    L, 27-26 at No. 15 Northern Colorado
11/16/96    L, 40-0 vs. No. 7 Pittsburg State
10/3/92    L, 31-14 vs. No. 1 Pittsburg State

MCMENAMIN VS. RANKED FOES
Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 3-2 vs. ranked opponents in his coaching career.
    McMenamin gained his first win over a ranked foe at Northwest with a 38-16 victory over No. 15-ranked Central Oklahoma.
    McMenamin notched victories over No. 11 Minnesota-Duluth and No. 11 Minnesota State when he was the head coach at Wayne State in the 2021 season.
    McMenamin's losses to ranked teams came to No. 22 Augustana (L, 32-24 - Oct. 16, 2021) and No. 11 Minnesota State (L, 38-14 - Aug. 28, 2025).

McMenamin vs. Ranked Foes
W, 31-28 vs. #11 Minn.-Duluth (9/25/21)
W, 35-24 vs. #11 Minn. St. (10/9/21)
L, 32-24 vs. #22 Augustana (10/16/21)
L, 38-14 at #11 Minn. St. (8/28/25)
W, 38-16 vs. #15 Central Okla. (9/27/25) 

BEARCATS BOAST OF 30 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Northwest has produced 30 straight winning seasons. It is the longest active streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    The 30 consecutive winning seasons ranks as the fourth-longest active streak among current NCAAschools.
    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.)    68    1956
2. Mount Union    46    1979
3. Wartburg    31    1993
4. Northwest    30    1994
5. Hobart    27    1997
6. Wheaton (Ill.)    26    1998
    Boise State    26    1998
8. Mary Hardin Baylor    25    2000
9. Wis.-Whitewater    23    2003

HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest has won 91 straight games when leading at halftime.
    Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 13-0 when leading at the half, including 7-0 at Northwest.
    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.

504 CONSECUTIVE BEARCAT FOOTBALL RADIO GAMES
The Voice of the Bearcats, John Coffey, called his 500th consecutive Northwest Missouri State football game in a 21-14 victory at Missouri Southern (Sept. 20).
    Coffey called game No. 504 in a row in Northwest's 14-0 triumph over Nebraska-Kearney (Oct. 25).
    Northwest is 368-136 with John Coffey calling games.
    Coffey began calling Bearcat football games in 1985 and has called every contest since then.
    Coffey started his radio career at KXCV Radio as a student reporter during his undergraduate stint at Northwest Missouri State from 1978-1982.
    Following graduation, Coffey briefly took a job as news director for a radio station in Fairbury, Nebraska before heading back to Maryville to work at KNIM Radio in 1983.
    Coffey has served as the Voice of the Bearcats for 10 NCAA Div. II championships teams (six in football, four in men's basketball).
    Coffey was named KXCV/KRNW's station manager in 2019.