Game No. 5 - #15 Central Oklahoma (2-1, 2-0 MIAA) at Northwest Missouri State (3-1, 2-0 MIAA)
Saturday, Sept. 27 | 1:30 p.m. (CT) | Maryville, Mo. | Bearcat Stadium (6,500)

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

TV - 38 The Spot

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The Northwest Missouri State University football team (3-1 overall, 2-0 MIAA) will play host to the No. 15-ranked University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos (2-1 overall, 1-0 MIAA) as a part of Family Weekend festivities on the Bearcat campus.
    Kick is set for 1:30 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium. The game will be broadcast on The MIAA Network and simulcast on 38 The Spot in the Kansas City area. The matchup will also be broadcast on the Bearcat Radio Network (flagship - KXVC/KRNW 90.5/88.9).

988 HELMET DECALS
Northwest will be sporting a 988 helmet decal for Saturday's game vs. Central Oklahoma.
    September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and our players are wearing the number 988 on their helmets, a powerful reminder that help is just 3 digits away. 988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, offering free and confidential support for anyone in emotional distress, 24 hours a day. By displaying 988 on the field, our team is taking a stand for mental health awareness and showing that no one has to struggle alone. Students can also access confidential counseling, health, and prevention services through our on-campus Wellness Services. Whether it's on the field or in everyday life, help is available — call, text, or chat 988.

500 CONSECUTIVE BEARCAT FOOTBALL RADIO GAMES
The Voice of the Bearcats, John Coffey, called his 500th consecutive Northwest Missouri State football game in Saturday's 21-14 victory at Missouri Southern.
    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. Coffey was named KXCV/KRNW's station manager in 2019.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest owns an 11-5 lead in the all-time series with Central Oklahoma.
    Last year, Central Oklahoma recorded a 48-20 win in Edmond, Okla.
    Northwest is 6-0 at home vs. UCO since the Bronchos joined the MIAA.
    Northwest is 6-2 in the all-time series vs. UCO in games played in Maryville, Mo.
    
Northwest Results vs. UCO
W, 28-16 at UCO (10/20/84)
L, 33-27 vs. UCO (9/14/85)
W, 38-14 at UCO (9/7/91)
L, 27-9 vs. UCO (9/5/92)
W, 70-7 at UCO (10/6/12)
W, 72-10 vs. UCO (10/12/13)
W, 36-13 at UCO (9/27/14)
W, 23-16 vs. UCO (9/26/15)
W, 56-10 at UCO (10/8/16)
W, 17-10 vs. UCO (10/7/17)
L, 31-21 at UCO (9/22/18)
W, 59-10 vs. UCO (9/28/19)
W, 38-0 vs. UCO (9/25/21)
L, 23-14 at UCO (9/24/22)
W, 34-21 vs. UCO (10/7/23)
L, 48-20 at UCO (10/12/24)

FIRST PLACE ON THE LINE
Saturday's encounter will leave the victor on top of the MIAA standings.
    Through two weeks of MIAA games, seven of the 10 teams have suffered a league loss.
    Only Northwest, Central Oklahoma and Central Missouri have unblemished MIAA records.

MASSEY RATINGS
In this week's Massey Ratings, Northwest ranks No. 10 in the nation and Central Oklahoma is ranked No. 24.
    Only four schools possess a top-10 ranked offense and defense in the Massey Ratings - Ferris State (Off.-1; Def.-2), Harding (Off.-2; Def.-1), Grand Valley State (Off.-9; Def.-4) and Northwest Missouri State (Off.-10; Def.-10).

Massey Ratings - Top 10
1. Ferris State
2. Harding
3. Minnesota-Duluth
4. Angelo State
5. Pittsburg State
6. Grand Valley State
7. Augustana
8. West Florida
9. Kutztown
10. Northwest Missouri State

MIAA'S TOP SCORING O & D RESIDE IN MARYVILLE
Through four games, Northwest possesses the top scoring offense and top scoring defense in the MIAA.
    Northwest is averaging an MIAA-best 29.5 points per game on offense.
    The Bearcats are allowing a league-low 19.8 points per game on defense.

BEARCATS ARE THE LEAGUE'S BEST RUSHERS
Northwest is churning out an MIAA-best 220.8 rushing yards per contest.
    Northwest has surpassed the 200-yard rushing mark in each of its last three games. The Bearcats rushed for 246 yards at Washburn, 305 yards vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville and 217 yards at Missouri Southern.

O-LINE GETTING IT DONE
Not only is the Bearcat rushing game rolling, the Northwest offensive line ranks No. 2 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.25).
    Northwest has allowed one quarterback sack through four games. Texas A&M-Kingsville is the only NCAA Div. II school to have not allowed a sack this year.

Fewest Sacks Allowed NCAA Div. II Leaders
1. Texas A&M-Kingsville    0.00
2. Northwest Mo. St.    0.25
3. Harding        0.33
    Newberry        0.33
    Ouachita Baptist    0.33
    Post                0.33
    Wingate        0.33
8. Minnesota St.        0.50
    Minot St.        0.50
    Tusculum        0.50
    UVA Wise        0.50

NORTHWEST MAINTAINS A TOP-10 OFFENSE IN NATION
Northwest ranks No. 10 in the nation in total offense by averaging 453.5 yards per game.
    Northwest generated 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.

Total Offense NCAA Div. II Leaders
1. New Mexico Highlands    565.3
2. Henderson St.        521.3
3. Harding        485.3
4. Ferris St.        473.5
5. Virginia St.        471.0
6. Western New Mexico    466.5
7. Wingate        464.3
8. Central Washington    457.7
9. Catawba        455.8
10. Northwest Mo. St.    453.5

NORTHWEST TOPS MIAA IN TOTAL DEFENSE
In addition to allowing the fewest points per game in the MIAA, Northwest also leads the league in the fewest yards allowed on defense.
    The Bearcats are giving up 318.5 yards per game this year, which ranks No. 39 in the nation.

MOST FIRST DOWNS IN MIAA
Northwest leads the MIAA in first downs gained on offense (88). Northwest ranks No. 12 in the nation in first downs gained.

First Downs Gained NCAA Div. II Leaders
1. Allen            107
2. Western New Mexico    105
3. CSU Pueblo        102
4. Sioux Falls        99
    UIndy            99
6. West Texas A&M    96
7. Ferris St.        94
    MSU Moorhead        94
9. Catawba        92
    Charleston, W.Va.    92
    Clarion            92
12. Northwest Mo. St.    88

HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest has won 87 straight games when leading at halftime.
    Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 9-0 when leading at the half, including 3-0 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.

MCMENAMIN VS. RANKED FOES
Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 2-2 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 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) 

RUHNKE RANKS HIGH IN MIAA IN EFFICIENCY, TOUCHDOWNS
Senior quarterback Chris Ruhnke ranks second in the MIAA in passing touchdowns (6) and third in the league in passing efficiency (141.3).
    Ruhnke set a career high with four touchdown passes in a 49-20 win vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville.

MIAA Leaders - Touchdown Passes
1. Ben Harris (ESU)        7
2. Chris Ruhnke (NWMSU)    6
    Tillman Martin (MSSU)    6
    Justin Lewis (WU)    6
5. Kane Donovan (MWSU)    5

MIAA Leaders - Passing Efficiency
1. Tillman Martin (MSSU)    181.1
2. Jordan Pachot (UCM)    146.9
3. Chris Ruhnke (NWMSU)    141.3
4. Clayton Creasey (UCO)    132.7
5. Kane Donovan (MWSU)    129.7

SPREADING IT AROUND
Bearcat quarterback Chris Ruhnke has thrown 28 touchdown passes to 16 different receivers in his career.
    Ruhnke is 309-of-492 passing for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns. He has a career passing efficiency rating of 136.08.

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

OWENS USES AIR, GROUND ATTACK
Redshirt freshman quarterback Zechariah Owens has been a dual threat for Bearcat opponents.
    Owens has rushed for 188 yards yards and a team-high three touchdowns through four games.
    Owens has passed for three touchdowns. He has completed 73.2% (30-of-41) of his passes through the first four weeks. Owens has a QB efficiency rating of 171.52.

17 DIFFERENT RECEIVERS
Northwest has spread the ball around to 17 different receivers in the first three games.
    Erwin Nash and Luke Mathews are tied for team-high honors with 11 receptions. Nash has nabbed a team-best 145 receiving yards.
    Mathews is the active career leader for Northwest in receptions (50), receiving yards (851) and touchdown catches (4).
    Erwin Nash has collected a team-best 111 receiving yards on eight catches.
    Of the 17 different receivers to have caught a pass, 13 of them have three or more receptions.

MYERS MAKING PLAYS
Senior running back/returner Dominic Myers is averaging a team-best 112.8 all-purpose yards per game.
    Myers put his rushing talents on display agailnst 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 25 career games, Myers has accumulated 1,514 all-purpose yards (436 rushing; 97 receiving; 375 punt returns; 606 kick returns).
    Myers is tied with Jadon Brady as Northwest's active career leader with six touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving, one punt return).

PORTER RETURNS FOR 2 TDS
Sophomore running back Te'Shaun Porter returned to action at Missouri Southern after missing the previous home game vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville.
    Porter rushed for a career-high 98 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-14 win at Missouri Southern.
    Porter has carried the ball 33 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns this season.

QUINCY ECLIPSES 100 YARDS
Redshirt freshman Quincy Torry began fall camp fifth on the depth chart, but he rose up against Texas A&M-Kingsville and tallied his first career 100-yard rushing game.
    Torry carried the ball 15 times for 117 yards vs. the Javelinas.
    Torry tallied his first career rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter at Washburn.
    Entering this week's game against Central Oklahoma, Torry ranks No. 2 on the team with 216 rushing yards on 33 carries.

TWO 100-YARD RUSHERS
Northwest had a pair of 100-yard rushers against Texas A&M-Kingsville with Dominic Myers (157) and Quincy Torry (117) eclipsing the century mark on the ground.
    Jay Harris (123) and Tank Young (109) last did that vs. Washburn on Oct. 28, 2023.

JENKINS GAINS SECOND PICK
Junior defensive back Antwon Jenkins Jr. is Northwest's team leader in interceptions (2). Jenkins has recorded an interception in each of the last two wins over Texas A&M-Kingsville and Missouri Southern.

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.

EDWARDS IS EVERYWHERE
Senior linebacker Carter Edwards forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and recorded six tackles in Northwest's 49-20 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
    Edwards nabbed an interception on a deflected ball on the Javelinas's second possession of the game.
    Edwards stripped TAMUK wide receiver Ivan Thomas at midfield in the fourth quarter to set up Northwest's final scoring drive of the game.
    Edwards has posted 102 career tackles and three career interceptions.

FREDRICKSON CLOSING IN ON 200 CAREER TACKLES
Senior safety Shane Fredrickson has collected 197 career tackles entering Saturday's game vs. Central Oklahoma.
    Fredrickson has played in 38 games and has tallied five interceptions.
    Fredrickson ranks No. 5 among active NCAA Div. II players in solo tackles (148).

NCAA Div. II Active Leaders Solo Tackles
1. Jacob Penney (Ft. Lewis)    159
2. Alex Kowalczyk (Wayne St.)    157
3. Johnny Harris (Findlay)        154
    Josiah Hedensten (SW Minn. St.)    154
5. Shane Fredrickson (NWMSU)    148

EINESS IS TOPS IN TACKLES
Senior linebacker Ben Einess is Northwest's leading tackler with 24 stops through the first four games.

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)

LOCKDOWN DEFENSE
Northwest produced a locked-down defensive effort in a 34-7 destruction of the Washburn Ichabods.
    Northwest held Washburn to minus-19 yards rushing and sacked the Ichabod quarterbacks seven times. The minus-19 rushing yards ranks as the third-lowest total in an NCAA Div. II game this season. Truman State held Washburn to minus-37 yards rushing and West Florida limited Kentucky Wesleyan to minus-26 yards rushing.

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.

BOWEN NABS FIRST PICK
Senior linebacker Parker Bowen collected his first collegiate interception in Northwest's 34-7 win at Washburn.
    Bowen has tallied seven tackles through the first two games. Bowen has been credited with 63 career tackles in 32 games played.

A LOT OF RECEIVING OPTIONS
Bearcat quarterbacks completed passes to 15 different receivers in their 34-7 win at Washburn.

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 343 victories to rank tied with Grand Valley State for 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 37-15 in the 2020s.

D-II Wins Since 1990    Record
1. Grand Valley State    343-79-2
    Northwest Mo. St.    343-100-1
3. Pittsburg State    323-95-2
4. Valdosta State    302-102-2
5. Indiana, Pa.        295-97

BEARCATS BOAST OF 29 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Northwest has produced 29 straight winning seasons. 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

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 totaled six tackles in the season opener at No. 11-ranked Minnesota State.
    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

91-41 VS RANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1992
Northwest has produced a record of 91-41 since the start of the 1992 season.
    Northwest is 0-1 vs. ranked opponents in 2025 after a 38-14 setback at No. 11 Minnesota State.

Results vs. Ranked Foes (Since 1992)
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