Game No. 1 - Northwest Missouri State at No. 11 Minnesota State
Thursday, Aug. 28 | 6 p.m. (CT) | Mankato, Minn. | Blakeslee Stadium (7,500)

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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 will begin its 2025 season on the road against the No. 11-ranked Minnesota State University Mavericks.
    Kick is set for Thursday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato, Minn.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Minnesota State holds a 10-8 lead in the all-time series. The Mavericks have won the last two meetings between the two programs.
    Last season in Maryville, Mo., the Mavericks opened the year with a 36-22 victory at Bearcat Stadium.
    The last time Northwest traveled to Mankato, Minn., the Mavericks tallied a 38-35 double-overtime victory in the 2012 NCAA Div. II playoffs.

Northwest Results vs. Minn. St.
L, 38-0 at MSU (9/30/72)
L, 30-14 at NW (9/29/73)
L, 34-20 at MSU (9/28/74)
W, 17-6 at NW (9/27/75)
L, 53-35 at MSU (9/14/91)
L, 27-13 at NW (9/12/92)
L, 55-28 at MSU (9/4/93)
L, 45-7 at NW (9/3/94)
L, 59-34 at MSU (9/9/95)
W, 41-25 at NW (9/14/96)
W, 34-28 at MSU (9/9/00)
W, 36-19 at NW (9/8/01)
W, 42-31 at MSU (9/14/02)
W, 23-16 at NW (9/13/03)
W, 41-21 OT at MSU (8/25/05)
W, 31-14 at NW (9/2/06)
L, 38-35 2OT at MSU (11/24/12)
L, 36-22 at NW (8/29/24)

PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATION
Minnesota State has been selected as the preseason favorite in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) after a vote of the coaches.
    Minnesota State earned 11 first-place votes from NSIC coaches to take the top spot.
    MIAA coaches picked Northwest to finish sixth in the preseason league poll. MIAA media pegged Northwest to take fifth place.
    
PRESEASON AFCA POLL
Minnesota State was tabbed No. 11 in the preseason AFCA coaches' poll, while Northwest received 21 total votes.

SUCCESS AGAINST 11TH-RANKED TEAMS
Northwest is 4-1 all-time when playing the naton's No. 11-ranked team.

NW vs. Teams Ranked No. 11 (All-Time)
9/28/24    W, 14-9 vs. No. 11 Emporia State
11/28/15    W, 54-7 vs. No. 11 Humboldt State
9/8/07        L, 25-21 at No. 11 Omaha
10/17/02    W, 29-7 vs. No. 11 Pittsburg State
12/5/98    W, 49-34 vs. No. 11 Texas A&M-Kings.

JOHNNY MAC LOOKING FOR A WIN IN HIS BEARCAT DEBUT
Northwest's John McMenamin is looking to become the 12th Bearcat head coach to win his first career game at the helm of the program.
    Only one previous Bearcat head coach won his first game at Northwest in the state of Minnesota - Earl Baker in 1960 led the Bearcats to a 27-6 victory at Bemidji State.

Bearcat Coaching Debuts
2017 - Rich Wright - W, 34-0 vs. #4 Emporia State
2011- Adam Dorrel - W, 65-3 at Truman State
1994 - Mel Tjeerdsma - L, 45-7 vs. Minnesota State
1988 - Bud Elliott - L, 41-0 vs. St. Cloud State
1983 - Vern Thomsen - W, 27-25 at Morningside
1976 - Jim Redd - W, 6-3 at Chadron State
1971 - Gladden Dye - L, 9-0 at Omaha
1963 - Ivan Schottel - W, 24-6 vs. Peru State
1960 - Earl Baker - W, 27-6 at Bemidji State
1958 - Paul Turner - L, 22-8 at South Dakota
1937 - Ryland Milner - T, 6-6 vs. Peru State
1927 - E.A. Davis - W, 20-0 vs. York
1923 - H.F. Lawrence - W, 13-7 vs. Iowa Wesleyan
1922 - Eugene Maynor - L, 33-6 vs. Missouri St.
1921 - Russell Spring - L, 13-0 vs. Truman State
1919 - Robert Rice - L, 27-0 at Tarkio
1918 - M.H. Sims - W, 19-7 vs. Tarkio
1916 - George Palfreyman - W, 26-0 vs. Palmer Coll.
1908 - Paul White - W, 4-0 vs. Amity College

HE'S DONE IT BEFORE
Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 1-0 all-time vs. Minnesota State.
    As head coach at Wayne State (Neb.), McMenamin scored a 35-24 win over the No. 11-ranked Mavericks in Mankato, Minn., on Oct. 9, 2021.

MCMENAMIN VS. RANKED FOES
Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 2-1 vs. ranked opponents in his coaching career.
    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 only loss to a ranked foe came in a 32-24 setback to No. 22-ranked Augustana on Oct. 16, 2021.

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)

PROSSER TIED TO MAVERICKS
Northwest offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Collin Prosser worked five seasons at Minnesota State.
    Prosser served as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for two seasons and offensive line coach for three years. He helped the Mavericks reach the NCAA Division II playoffs three of his five seasons with a national runner-up finish in 2019 along with back-to-back NCAA semifinal playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018.

BEARCATS BOAST OF 29 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Northwest has produced 29 straight winning season. It is the longest active streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    The 29 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.)    68    1956
2. Mount Union    46    1979
3. Wartburg    31    1993
4. Northwest    29    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

FOR OPENERS
The Bearcats had won 12 consecutive season-opening games prior to Minnesota State's victory last year in the first game of 2024.
    Northwest has won six straight season-opening road games. The last time Northwest began the season with a road loss came in 2009 when No. 5-ranked Abilene Christian scored a 19-14 win over the Bearcats.
    The Bearcats are 5-6 in season-opening contests vs. ranked opponents.

Season-Opening Contests (Since 1996)
9/7/96        W, 23-6 vs. South Dakota State
9/4/97        W, 52-14 at Midwestern State
9/5/98        W, 55-16 vs. Midwestern State
8/28/99    W, 31-14 vs. Arkansas Tech
9/2/00        W, 24-17 vs. No. 21 Omaha
8/30/01    L, 24-21 at No. 5 Omaha
9/7/02        W, 23-10 vs. No. 23 Omaha
9/4/03        L, 23-0 at South Dakota State
8/28/04    W, 77-12 vs. MSU Moorhead
8/25/05    W, 24-21 (OT) at Minnesota State
9/2/06        W, 31-14 vs. Minnesota State
9/8/07        L, 25-21 at No. 11 Omaha
8/30/08    L, 44-27 vs. No. 8 Abilene Christian
8/27/09    L, 19-14 at No. 5 Abilene Christian
9/2/10        L, 16-7 vs. No. 14 Texas A&M-Kingsville
9/1/11        W, 65-3 at Truman State
8/30/12    W, 33-3 vs. East Central
9/15/13    W, 45-24 vs. No. 22 Saginaw Valley
9/14/14    W, 31-7 vs. Nebraska-Kearney
9/3/15        W, 31-0 at Nebraska-Kearney
9/1/16        W, 41-14 at No. 24 Emporia State
8/31/17    W, 34-0 vs. No. 4 Emporia State
8/30/18    W, 28-6 vs. Missouri Western
9/5/19        W, 45-35 at Missouri Western
9/2/21        W, 15-7 at Fort Hays State
9/1/22        W, 33-19 vs. Fort Hays State
8/31/23    W, 31-24 at Missouri Southern
8/29/24    L, 36-22 vs. No. 13 Minnesota State

DEFENSIVE REGIME
Northwest has been ranked No. 1 in the MIAA total defense in eight of the last nine seasons.
    The Bearcats have possessed the league's top scoring defense in six of the previous nine years.

BEARCATS STOPPED THE RUN LAST SEASON
The Bearcats owned the No. 3-ranked run defense in the country last season by allowing 67.7 yards per game on the ground.
    In MIAA games only, Northwest allowed 52.9 rushing yards per game. Pittsburg State was second at 96.9 yards per game.

2024 NCAA Div. II Rushing Def. Leaders
1. Fort Valley St.        52.4
2. New Haven        62.5
3. Northwest Mo. St.    67.7
4. Kutztown        68.4
5. Minnesota Duluth    75.5
6. UIndy            75.9
7. Johnson C. Smith    78.3
8. West Alabama        83.1
9. Northwood        83.4
10. West Florida        83.7


HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest has won 84 straight games when leading at halftime.
    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.

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.

MYERS MAKING PLAYS
Senior punt returner Dominic Myers led the MIAA and ranked No. 4 in the nation in punt return yards (306).
    Myers fielded 26 punts for 306 yards. His 11.8 yards per punt return ranked No. 15 in the nation.

DOM DOING DAMAGE ON PUNT/KICK RETURNS
Punt returner Dominic Myers put up the third-highest single-game punt return yardage total in Bearcat history against Northeastern State (Nov. 2, 2024). It ranked as the fifth-best single-game total in NCAA Div. II football in 2024.
    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)

RUHNKE ON NATIONAL SCENE
Senior quarterback Chris Ruhnke was among the national and MIAA leaders in a handful of statistical categories in 2024.
    
Ruhnke in NCAA, MIAA Rankings
Stat (Ruhnke's total)    Nat'l    MIAA
Completions/Game (22.1)    6th    3rd
Passing Yards (2,848)    16th    3rd
Total Offense (265.8)    16th    4th
Completion % (.650)    19th    4th
Passing Touchdowns (19)    40th    5th

RUHNKE RANKED 16TH IN THE NATION IN PASS YARDS
Chris Ruhnke ranked No. 16 in the nation and No. 3 in the MIAA with 2,848 passing yards.
    Ruhnke went 243-of-374 passing (65.0%) and 19 touchdowns. He averaged 258.9 yards per game.
    For his career, Ruhnke is 264-of-418 passing for 3,147 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has a career passing efficiency rating of 135.16.

SPREADING IT AROUND
Bearcat quarterback Chris Ruhnke threw 19 touchdown passes to 10 different receivers in 2024.

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

300-YARD PASSING GAMES
Senior quarterback Chris Ruhnke generated four 300-yard passing games in 2024, which 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
Quarterback Chris Ruhnke completed 33 passes in a 32-20 win over Fort Hays State (Sept. 14, 2024). 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, 2024) 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)

RARE FOUR-LOSS SEASON
Northwest has posted a winning season in 29 straight seasons and in 2024 it marked only the fifth time in that stretch that Northwest had lost four or more games with a end of season mark of 6-5.
    Northwest went 6-5 in 1995, 7-4 in 2001, 11-4 in 2005, 7-4 in 2023.
    It was only the 20th time in program history that Northwest had lost four or more MIAA games in a season.

BEARCATS AMONG D-II ELITE
Since the start of the 1990 season, Northwest has accumulated 340 victories to rank as the second-highest win total in all of Division II football.
    Northwest has captured the most national titles (6) in that same time frame.
    Northwest went 74-47-1 in the 1990s, 113-21 in the 2000s, 119-18 in the 2010s and 34-14 in the 2020s.

D-II Wins Since 1990    Record
1. Grand Valley State    341-79-2
2. Northwest Missouri St.    340-100-1
3. Pittsburg State    321-93-2
4. Valdosta State    300-101-2
5. Indiana, Pa.        293-96

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-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        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 Missouri    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.

EIGHT GRADS TAKE THE FIELD THIS YEAR FOR THE 'CATS
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame released a list of more than 3,000 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

91-40 VS RANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1992
Northwest has produced a record of 91-40 since the start of the 1992 season.
    Northwest went 2-3 vs. ranked opponents in 2024 with wins over No. 11 Emporia State and No. 25 Fort Hays State.

Results vs. Ranked Foes (Since 1992)
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 State
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 State
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 Missouri 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