Game No. 9 - No. 8 Northwest Missouri State (7-1, 6-1 MIAA) at Missouri Western (3-6 overall, 2-5 MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 2 p.m. (CT) | St. Joseph, Mo. | Spratt Stadium (7,500)

MIAA NETWORK STREAM ($) | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS | MISSOURI WESTERN FOOTBALL TICKET/PARKING INFORMATION

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

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The No. 8-ranked Northwest Missouri State University football team (7-1 overall, 6-1 MIAA) will take its four-game win streak to St. Joseph, Mo., to take on the Missouri Western Griffons (3-6 overall, 2-5 MIAA) Saturday at 2 p.m. at Spratt Stadium.
    Missouri Western has lost three straight contests entering Saturday's matchup with Northwest.
    Northwest won its fourth straight game with a 59-14 dismantling of No. 8-ranked Emporia State to gain a share of first place in the MIAA standings.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest owns a 33-13 lead in the all-time series vs. Missouri Western.
    Northwest has won eight straight games against MoWest in games played in St. Joseph, Mo. MoWest's last win at home in the series came Nov. 5, 2011.
    The Bearcats have dominated the Griffons having won 12 straight overall games in the series. Northwest has won 21 of the last 23 matchups between the two schools.
    Of Missouri Western's 13 wins in the series, 11 have come by one-score margins. In contrast, Northwest has won nine of its 33 conquests of the Griffons by one-score margins.

Northwest vs. Missouri Western
L, 20-8 at MWSU (9/19/81)
L, 17-14 vs. MWSU (9/18/82)
W, 19-9 at MWSU (9/17/83)
W, 30-27 vs. MWSU (9/22/84)
W, 24-18 at MWSU (9/21/85)
L, 27-26 vs. MWSU (9/20/86)
L, 20-17 at MWSU (9/19/87)
L, 27-26 vs. MWSU (9/17/88)
W, 45-29 at MWSU (9/2/89)
L, 27-25 vs. MWSU (9/1/90)
W, 49-26 at MWSU (10/26/91)
W, 43-26 vs. MWSU (10/24/92)
L, 21-14 at MWSU (9/18/93)
L, 20-0 vs. MWSU (9/17/94)
L, 24-20 at MWSU (10/14/95)
W, 31-24 vs. MWSU (10/19/96)
W, 52-13 at MWSU (9/27/97)
W, 45-32 vs. MWSU (9/27/98)
W, 38-34 at MWSU (10/9/99)
W, 46-27 vs. MWSU (10/7/00)
L, 37-30 (OT) vs. MWSU (11/3/01)
W, 13-10 at MWSU (11/9/02)
L, 30-27 (OT) at MWSU (10/25/03)
W, 31-13 vs. MWSU (10/16/04)
W, 31-21 at MWSU (9/17/05)
W, 24-21 vs. MWSU (9/23/06)
W, 44-20 at MWSU (9/15/07)
W, 42-35 vs. MWSU (9/13/08)
W, 49-35 at MWSU (10/3/09)
W, 42-0 vs. MWSU (10/2/10)
W, 28-24 at MWSU (11/20/10)
L, 31-28 at MWSU (11/5/11)
W, 35-29 at MWSU (11/19/11)
L, 21-20 vs. MWSU (11/10/12)
W, 51-21 at MWSU (11/16/13)
W, 40-3 vs. MWSU (11/1/14)
W, 24-10 at MWSU (10/31/15)
W, 44-3 vs. MWSU (11/12/16)
W, 30-0 at MWSU (11/12/17)
W, 28-6 vs. MWSU (8/30/18)
W, 45-35 at MWSU (9/5/19)
W, 30-7 at MWSU (10/2/21)
W, 16-3 vs. MWSU (10/1/22)
W, 27-23 at MWSU (10/14/23)
W, 33-23 at MWSU (11/9/24)
W, 38-7 vs. MWSU (11/8/25)

CATS PILE UP THREE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS VS HORNETS
Northwest generated three defensive touchdowns in a 59-14 win over No. 8-ranked Emporia State.
    Northwest has produced five defensive touchdowns this season to rank No. 2 in the nation. Southeastern Oklahoma State has scored six defensive scores to lead the nation.

Northwest's Defensive Touchdowns
Jackson Torry, 94 INT Return vs TAMUK
Baruch Hasabu, 37 INT Return vs. UCM
Cody Simoncic 0 FUM Return vs. ESU
Jayden Welch 33 INT Return vs. ESU
David Jacquez 67 INT Return vs. ESU

NORTHWEST RISES TO NO. 3 IN LATEST SUPER REGION 4 NPI RANKINGS
The Northwest Missouri State University football team rose three spots to No. 3 in the third installment of the NCAA Division II NPI Super Region 4 Rankings. Northwest is ranked No. 8 in the nation.
    Northwest is among four MIAA teams in the top nine in the region. Northwest is the top MIAA school at No. 3, Emporia State is No. 4, Central Missouri is No. 7 and Washburn is No. 9.
    The NPI rankings will determine playoff selection. The top eight teams will earn selection into the 2026 NCAA Div. II Playoffs. Conference champions from the MIAA, GAC, Lone Star and RMAC will receive automatic bids. The final four slots will be determined by the NPI.
 
NPI Super Region 4 Rankings
1. Harding        67.031
2. CSU-Pueblo        64.918
3. Northwest Mo. St.     63.326
4. Emporia State      62.884
5. Western Colorado    61.450
6. Central Washington    61.447
7. Central Missouri    58.270
8. SE Okla. St.         57.418
9. Washburn           56.912
10. Midwestern St.     56.766

NPI National Rankings
1. Ferris St.        70.007
2. Slippery Rock    69.179
3. Harding        67.031
4. Northwood        65.681
5. CSU Pueblo        64.918
6. Minnesota St.    64.292
7. East Stroudsburg    63.794
8. Northwest Mo. St.    63.326
9. Emporia St.        62.884
10. Kentucky St.    61.834

BARR BOOMS PUNTS, FLIPS FIELD ON HOMECOMING
Junior punter Davis Barr had four of his six punts downed inside the 10 yard line to flip field position consistently for the Bearcats in a 59-14 home win over No. 8 Emporia State.
    Barr was named the MIAA's Co-Special Teams Player of the week after he punted six times for a 46.0 average. ESU returned only one of the six punts for two yards.
    Barr's second punt of the game, a 49-yarder, was a coffin-corner edition that went out at the one-yard line. It led to the Bearcats recovering a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown on the ensuing possession. Barr's third punt, a 46-yarder, was downed at the seven-yard line. His fourth punt, a 35-yarder, was downed at the six-yard line. His fifth punt, a 64-yarder, was downed at the seven yard line.
    His 46.0 average per punt ranked as the seventh-best average in a game in Bearcat history with a miminum of five punts.

Northwest Punt Avg. (min. - 5)
1. Mike Hohensee (ESU - 10/5/19)    50.3
2. Michael Stadler (PSU - 11/22/08)    48.4
3. Joel Mathews (UNO - 9/7/02)    47.6
4. Kyle Goodburn (UCM - 9/8/12)    47.3
5. Davis Barr (UCO - 9/26/16)    47.2
6. Kyle Goodburn (PSU - 10/20/12)    46.2
7. Davis Barr (vs.ESU - 10/31/26)    46.0
8. Kyle Goodburn (UNK - 9/22/12)    45.8
9. Joel Mathews (SDSU - 9/6/03)    45.6
10. Jeff LeBlanc (UNO - 9/4/99)    44.4

100-YARD RUSHING GAMES
Sophomore running back Quincy Torry secured his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and seventh of his career with a 106-yard rushing effort against No. 8-ranked Emporia State.
    Torry rushed for a career-high 160 yards and eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the sixth time in his career in a 27-10 win at UNK.
    Junior running back Te'Shaun Porter collected his second career 100-yard rushing game in a 48-3 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Porter scored three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards on 16 carries against the Javelinas.

NW's 100-Yard Rushers in 2026
100, Te'Shaun Porter at TAMUK
110, Quincy Torry at UCO
160, Quincy Torry at UNK
106, Quincy Torry vs. ESU

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
100, Dominic Myers at ESU
101, Quincy Torry vs. PSU
116, Quincy Torry at Harding
106, Te'Shaun Porter at Harding

SPADY IS A TOP TARGET
Tight end Trevor Spady leads the squad in receiving yards (205) and receiving touchdowns (3). Spady caught his third score of the season - a 51-yard toss from Mason Shorb - in Northwest's 59-14 win over No. 8 Emporia State.

BIG PLAYS FOR SHORB
Junior quarterback Mason Shorb accounted for a pair of big-play touchdowns in Northwest's 59-14 win over No. 8 Emporia State.
    Shorb scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 65-yard quarterback keeper with 7:22 left in the third quarter.
    Shorb then connected with tight end Trevor Spady on a 51-yard touchdown strike with 14:50 left in the fourth quarter vs. ESU.

10 'CATS WITH INTERCEPTIONS
The Bearcats have had 10 different players record interceptions this season. Northwest has intercepted 11 passes. Holden Zigmant leads the squad with two interceptions.

MO PILES UP POINTS
Senior kicker Mo Alwaely is 37-for-38 on extra points and 5-for-6 on field goal attempts this season.
    Alwaely has scored 204 career points as collegiate kicker. Alwaely transferred to Northwest from Lincoln University (Mo.). He ranks No. 23 among active career NCAA Division II scoring leaders.
    Alwaely ranks tied for No. 13 among NCAA Div. II active career leaders in field goals made (29).

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        50-52    4-6    40    62
2026        37-38    6-7    28    55
Totals    117-121    29-47    50    204

OWENS RANKS NO. 5 IN MIAA IN PASS EFFICIENCY
Sophomore quarterback Zechariah Owens ranks No. 5 in the MIAA in passing efficiency (132.2). Owens has passed for 1,009 yards (54.5% completion percentage) with nine touchdown tosses this season.
    Owens has thrown 16 career touchdown passes and has a career passing efficiency rating of 142.78. Owens has thrown 220 career passes with seven interceptions. He has has thrown for 1,718 yards on 131-of-220 passing attempts as a Bearcat.

BEST SCORING DEFENSE, OFFENSE IN MIAA
Northwest possesses the top scoring defense (14.5 points/game) and the No. 1 scoring offense (38.8 points/game) in the MIAA.
    Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 22-2 when his teams allow 29 or fewer points. McMenamin coached squads are 1-6 when allowing 30 or more points.

NO. 9 IN SCORING DEFENSE; 4TH IN NATION IN FEWEST TDS ALLOWED
Northwest ranks No. 9 in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 14.5 points per game.
    Northwest ranks fourth in the nation in fewest touchdowns allowed (13). Findlay leads the nation with 10 touchdowns allowed.
    Washburn is second in the MIAA in fewest touchdowns allowed (25).

NCAA Div. II Scoring Defense
1. Findlay        10.2
2. Minnesota St.        10.8
3. Ferris St.        11.0
4. Virginia Union        11.6
5. Johnson C. Smith    13.3
6. Davenport        13.8
7. Carson-Newman    13.9
8. Western Colorado    14.3
9. Northwest Mo. St.    14.5
10. Minnesota-Duluth    15.3

NCAA Div. II Fewest TDs Allowed
1. Findlay        10
2. Minnesota St.        12
    Ferris St.        12
4. Northwest Mo. St.    13
5. Virginia Union        15
    Carson-Newman    15
    Western Colorado    15
    Valdosta St.        15
9. Johnson C. Smith    16
    Mars Hill        16

'CATS 6TH IN RUSH DEFENSE; ONE RUSHING TD ALLOWED
Northwest ranks No. 6 in the nation in rushing defense allowing 81.8 yards per game. The Bearcats have given up 645 rushing yards on 237 attempts (2.72 yards/rush).
    Northwest has allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns this season (1) among NCAA Div. II schools. FHSU's LeAngelo Ball scored on a 42-yard touchdown run for the only rushing TD surrended this season by the Bearcats. Washburn has allowed the second-fewest rushing touchdowns (11) in the MIAA.

NCAA Div. II Rushing Defense Leaders
1. Northwood        63.0
2. Harding        65.6
3. Kutztown        72.2
4. Minnesota St.        73.0
5. Findlay        75.1
6. Northwest Mo. St.    80.6
6. Hillsdale        83.6
8. Bloomsburg        86.3
9. Colorado Mines    89.2
10. Western Colorado    90.8

NCAA Div. II Fewest Rush TDs Allowed
1. Northwest Mo. St.    1
2. Findlay        3
    Minnesota-Duluth    3
4. Minnesota St.        4
    Colorado Mines    4
    Davenport        4
    Ferris St.        4
8. Hillsdale        5
    Mars Hill        5
    UNC Pembroke    5

11TH IN 1ST DOWNS ALLOWED
Northwest ranks No. 11 in the nation in first downs allowed on defense (130).
    Northwest has allowed the third-fewest rushing first downs (37) in the nation - trailing only Northwood (33) and Harding (36).

NCAA Div. II Fewest 1st Downs Allowed
1. Valdosta State        107
2. Mars Hill        113
3. Harding        121
4. Wingate        122
5. Virginia Union        123
6. Carson-Newman    124
7. Southeastern Okla. St.    125
8. Hillsdale        126
9. Northeastern St.    127
10. Ashland        128
11. Northwest Mo. St.    130

NO. 32 IN TOTAL DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 32 in the nation in total defense allowing 301.8 yards per game.
    The Bearcats rank No. 13 in the nation by allowing 4.41 yards per play. Northwest has allowed 2,414 yards on 548 plays.

NO. 15 IN SCORING OFFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 15 in the nation in scoring offense at 38.8 points per game. Head coach John McMenamin is 12-0 when his teams score 30 or more points.

RED-ZONE SCORING
Northwest ranks No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the MIAA in red zone offense at a 94.1% scoring rate.
    Northwest has scored on 32 of its 34 red zone chances this season. The Bearcats have scored 27 touchdowns and have made five field goals.

NO. 13 IN RUSH OFFENSE
The Bearcats rank No. 13 in the nation in rushing offense at 235.9 yards per game. The Bearcats have four players averaging more than 33.0 yards per game.
    Quincy Torry leads the team in rushing yards per game (90.1).
Te'Shaun Porter ranks No. 2 at 54.0 yards per game. Quarterback Zechariah Owens ranks No. 3 at 41.9 yards per game on the ground. Jaron Cannon Jr. ranks fourth at 33.1 yards per game.

BEARCATS PILE UP RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
The Bearcats have produced an MIAA-best 24 rushing touchdowns to along with a league-best 235.9 rushing yards per game.
    Quincy Torry ranks second in the MIAA with a team-best 12 rushing touchdowns.
    Te'Shaun Porter has found paydirt four times. Jaron Cannon Jr. has tallied four scores on the ground. Zechariah Owens has rushed for three touchdowns.

GETTING VERY DEFENSIVE
The Bearcat defensive unit tops the charts in numerous MIAA categories. Northwest is No. 1 in the league in: Defensive Touchdowns, Rushing Defense, Red Zone Defense, Scoring Defense, First Downs Allowed, Team Passing Efficiency Defense, Fewest Penalty Yards and Total Defense.

HOME-FIELD WIN STREAK AT 9
Northwest has won nine consecutive games at Bearcat Stadium to rank as the fourth-longest active home-field win streak in the nation.
    It is the longest active home winning streak in the MIAA.
    Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is a perfect 9-0 at home since taking over the program in 2025.
    Northwest's last home loss came Nov. 16, 2024, against Pittsburg State (L, 23-7).

NCAA Div. II Home Field Win Streaks
1. Ferris St.        34
2. Harding        28
3. Minnesota-Duluth    11
4. Northwest Mo. St.    9
5. Valdosta St.        7
    Kentucky St.        7
    Virginia St.        7
    Bentley        7
9. Slippery Rock        6
10. Eight teams        5

BEARCAT STADIUM DOMINANCE
Northwest has won nine consecutive home games.
    Since the start of the 2002 season, Northwest football has gone 246-15 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 BOAST OF 31 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Northwest gained its sixth win of the season with a 27-10 victory at Nebraska-Kearney ensuring the program will have a winning record for the 31st straight season.
    It is the longest active streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    The 31 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.)    69    1956
2. Mount Union    47    1979
3. Wartburg    32    1993
4. Northwest    31    1995
5. Boise State    28    1998
6. Wheaton (Ill.)    27    1998
7. Mary Hardin Baylor    26    2000
8. Wis.-Whitewater    22    2003

MCMENAMIN VS. RANKED FOES
Bearcat head coach John McMenamin is 5-4 vs. ranked opponents in his coaching career.
    McMenamin is 2-0 this season against ranked opponents with triumphs over No. 24 Central Missouri (W, 42-20) and No. 8 Emporia State (W, 59-14).
    McMenamin gained his first win over a ranked foe at Northwest with a 38-16 victory over No. 15-ranked Central Oklahoma in the 2025 season.
    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), No. 11 Minnesota State (L, 38-14 - Aug. 28, 2025), No. 7 Pittsburg State (L, 27-14 - Nov. 15, 2025) and No. 2 Harding (L, 38-16 - Nov. 22, 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)
L, 27-14 vs. #7 Pittsburg St. (11/15/25)
L, 38-16 at #2 Harding (11/22/25)
W, 42-20 vs. No. 24 Central Mo. (10/10/26)
W, 59-14 vs. No. 8 Emporia St. (10/31/26)

ERIC THE SACKER
Redshirt freshman Eric Smith III registered two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble in Northwest's 27-10 win at UNK.
    Smith III leads the Bearcats with 4.5 sacks this season.

BERTZ RACKS UP TACKLES
Redshirt freshman linebacker Eli Bertz has generated a team-high 45 tackles in seven games. Bertz has also tallied a team-high 34 solo stops.

JANSEN NETS TFLS
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jack Jansen leads the squad in tackles-for-loss with 5.5 through seven games. Jansen has logged 20 tackles (eight solos) this season.

HUTSLER'S BREAK OUT GAME
Redshirt freshman Tommy Hutsler had a breakout game in Northwest's 27-10 win at Nebraska-Kearney. Hutsler snagged his first career touchdown pass and led the Bearats with 90 receiving yards on two catches.
    Hutsler's first catch was a 66-yard touchdown reception from Zechariah Owens with 3:17 left in the first half when Northwest was facing a 3rd-and-10. Northwest had yet to convert a third-down prior to the 66-yard touchdown pass.
    Hutsler caught a 24-yard pass from Mason Shorb in the fourth quarter with Northwest facing a 3rd-and-9 at the 27-yard line that set up Northwest's final touchdown.
    Hutsler entered the game with four catches for 44 yards.

ONE-POINT WIN AT FHSU
Northwest gained the first one-point victory of head coach John McMenamin's coaching career with a 24-23 triumph at Fort Hays State.
    McMenamin is 1-1 all-time in one-point games having endured a 42-41 loss as the head coach at Wayne State at Upper Iowa (Oct. 30, 2021).
    It was the first one-point game the Bearcats had played since a 17-16 loss at Washburn on Oct. 16, 2021. Northwest's last one-point victory prior to Saturday, came in a 20-19 win against Pittsburg State on Oct. 9, 2021.

HORN FOR THE SCORE
Junior wide receiver Xavier Horn made his first two collegiate pass receptions, including a 13-yard touchdown catch, in Northwest's 24-23 victory at Fort Hays State.
    Horn's first catch of the season was a 52-yard pass play from Zechariah Ownes in the first quarter at FHSU.
    Horn's second catch was the go-ahead touchdown in a 13-yard receptions from Owens wtih 3:16 left in the third quarter.

SIMONCIC CORRALS FIRST INT
Senior linebacker Cody Simoncic produced his first collegiate interception in a 24-23 road win over Fort Hays State.
    Earlier this season, Simoncic collected a pair of quarterback sacks in Northwest's 65-3 win over Missouri Southern.
    Simoncic ranks third on the team with 26 tackles. He is one of two Bearcats (Antwon Jenkins Jr.) to have a sack and an intercepion this season.

FIRST INT, FIRST PICK SIX
Senior defensive back Baruch Hasabu collected his first interception and pick-six against Central Missouri. Hasabu intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards to put the finishing touches on a 42-20 win against the Mules.

SPADY TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE TWICE
Tight end Trevor Spady recorded a pair of receiving touchdowns in Northwest's 42-20 victory over Central Missouri.
    Spady came into the UCM game having caught one career touchdown pass.
    Spady caught a 21-yard TD strike from Zechariah Owens in the second quarter. Spady added a five-yard scoring strike from Owens in the fourth quarter.

ALL-AROUND DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE
Kaden Lutjen-Williams led the Bearcats with nine tackles, a sack, a tackle-for-loss and two pass breakups in a 42-20 win over Central Missouri.

ZIGGY GETS ANOTHER PICK
Junior safety Holden Zigmant tallied an interception in his second straight game and leads the Bearcats with two picks this season.
    Zigmant has posted four career interceptions.

BERTZ POSTS 11 STOPS AT UCO
Redshirt freshman linebacker Eli Bertz registered a game-high and a career-high 11 tackles along with a sack in Northwest's 19-14 setback at Central Oklahoma.
    In his third career start at linebacker, Bertz had seven solo and four assisted stops against the Bronchos. Bertz added a pass break up as well.
    Bertz and the Bearcat defense limited the Bronchos to seven first downs and 142 yards of offense in the second half. UCO's second-half fiedl goals came on 14-yard and 32-yard drives helped by a short field and Bearcat turnovers.

BEARCATS AMONG D-II ELITE
Since the start of the 1990 season, Northwest has accumulated 356 victories to rank as the 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 46-18 in the 2020s.

D-II Wins Since 1990    Record
1. Northwest Missouri St.    356-104-1
2. Grand Valley State    353-82-2
3. Pittsburg State    334-96-2
4. Valdosta State    311-106-2
5. Indiana, Pa.        305-102

22ND GAME WITH 65 OR MORE POINTS SCORED
Northwest put up 65 points against Missouri Southern marking the 22nd time in program history that the Bearcats have scored 65 or more points in a single game.
    The 65 points are the most points scored since a 66-13 triumph over Nebraska-Kearney on Oct. 23, 2021.

51 FIRST-HALF POINTS
Northwest's 51-point first half against Missouri Southern ranked as the second-most first-half points scored in a game in program history.
    Northwest put up 56 points before halftime against Southwest Baptist on Sept. 29, 2007 en route to an 86-13 victory.

STACKING WINS VS LIONS
Northwest's 31 straight wins over Missouri Southern in the series is tied for the third-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)

    31—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)

OWENS GUIDES 'CATS TO 31-24 WIN OVER WASHBURN
Zechariah Owens posted 217 yards of total offense and was responsible for two touchdowns in a 31-24 home win over Washburn.
    Owens led the Bearcats in rushing (89) and passing (128). Owens tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Cooper Warren (25 yards) and Jaidyn Doss (6 yards) as Northwest won its sixth straight home games.
    Owens had the longest rush of the game, 64 yards, on the opening drive of the second half that led to his six-yard TD pass to Doss that gave Northwest a 24-3 lead over Washburn.

DOSS NOTCHES FIRST SCORE
Junior wide receiver Jaidyn Doss recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Zechariah Owens in Northwest's 31-24 win over Washburn.
    Doss played in five games at Nebraska in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

WARREN FINDS THE ENDZONE
Junior Cooper Warren produced his first Bearcat touchdown on a 15-yard first-quarter pass from Zechariah Owens in Northwest's 31-24 victory vs. Washburn.

94-YARD PICK 6 FOR TORRY
Sophomore Jackson Torry picked the right time for his first interception and pick-six of his Bearcat career.
    Torry stepped in front of a Texas A&M-Kingsville pass and returned it 94 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in Northwest's 48-3 win over the Javelinas. The score came with 3:55 left in the first quarter.
    It is the second-longest pick-six of the season for an NCAA Division II player and the longest in the MIAA.
    It is Northwest's first interception return for a touchdown since Shane Fredrickson returned a pick 55 yards for a score at Missouri Southern (Sept. 21, 2024).
    

10 DIFFERENT RECEIVERS CAUGHT PASSES AT TAMUK
Northwest quarterbacks Zechariah Owens and Mason Shorb connected with 10 different receivers in Northwest's 48-3 season-opening victory at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

FIRST START = FIRST SACK
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jack Jansen made his first collegiate start and recorded a quarterback sack in Northwest's 48-3 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

NORTHWEST AS RANKED TEAM
Northwest has a record of 311-55 as a ranked team in the AFCA Top 25. Northwest is ranked No. 8 in this week's AFCA Top 25. Northwest is 10-3 when ranked No. 8 in the AFCA poll.

Record by AFCA Ranking
Rank        Wins    Losses    Pct.
1        47    7    0.870
2        46    8    0.852
3        36    7    0.837
4        28    4    0.875
5        22    4    0.846
6        17    1    0.944
7        23    3    0.885
8        10    3    0.769
9        12    1    0.923
10        14     3    0.824
11        10    1    0.909
12        6    1    0.857
13        6    2    0.750
14        9    2     0.818
15        1    1    0.500
16        8    0    1.000
17        1    1    0.500
18        4    2    0.667
19        3    1    0.750
20        2    0    1.000
21        4    1    0.800
22        1    2     0.333
23        0    0    0.000
24        0    0    0.000
25        2    0    1.000
Total    311    55    0.850

KALEB EARNS PRESEASON NOD FROM D2FOOTBALL.COM
Junior offensive lineman Kaleb McCullough has been selected to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List as a first-team choice.
    McCullough, who hails from Humboldt, Iowa, was a first-team all-MIAA performer in 2025 after starting all 12 games at left tackle for the Bearcats. He was a part of the Bearcat offensive line unit that allowed the fewest sacks (15) in the MIAA in 2025. Last season, the Bearcats led the MIAA in total touchdowns scored (53), rushing touchdowns (32) and rushing offense (243.1 yards/game). McCullough was a second-team all-America selections by D2Football.com, AFCA and Don Hansen. McCullough was named a second-team Academic All-America honoree with a 3.77 GPA in agricultural business.

D-II PLAYOFF LEGENDS
Northwest owns the NCAA Div. II record for playoff appearances (26).
    Northwest also holds the NCAA record with 18 consecutive playoff appearances. Ferris State extended the longest active streak for consecutive playoff berths with its 11th this season.

Most Div. II Playoff Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    27
Grand Valley State    23
North Alabama    21
Pittsburg State    22
Valdosta State    21
Indiana (Pa.)    20
UC Davis    18
Carson-Newman    17
North Dakota State    17
Ferris State    16
Minnesota State    16
Albany State    15
North Dakota    14
West Chester    14

Consecutive Div. II Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    18 (2004-2022)
Ferris State    11 (2014-pres.)
Grand Valley State    10 (2001-2010)
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
Ferris State        4
North Alabama    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.        5
Jacksonville St.    4
Carson-Newman    3
Delaware        3

53 ALL-TIME PLAYOFF WINS
The Bearcats are 53-21 all-time in the playoffs, which marks the most victories in Division II playoff history.
    The Bearcats (.716) 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
Ferris St.    35
Valdosta St.    34
North Dakota St.    30
Pittsburg St.    28
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
Ferris State    35-12    .745
Northwest Mo. St.    53-21     .716
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 46 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Mo. St.    53-21 (27 years)
Pittsburg State    28-20 (22 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 30 players on the list, including 29 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)
Shane Fredrickson, DB - 2025 (First Team)
Clayton Power, DL - 2025 (First Team)
Kaleb McCullough, OL - 2025 (Second Team)

FIVE 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 five student-athletes suiting up this season who have already claimed their undergraduate degrees.

Graduates Playing at Northwest
Luka Andonovski
Trevor Taylor
Andrew Waltke
Greyson Else
Cody Simoncic

94-43 VS RANKED OPPONENTS SINCE 1992
Northwest has produced a record of 94-43 against ranked opponents since the start of the 1992 season.
    Northwest is 2-0 this season against ranked foes after a 42-20 win vs. No. 24-ranked Central Missouri and a 59-14 triumph over No. 8-ranked Emporia State.

Results vs. Ranked Foes (Since 1992)
10/31/26    W, 59-14 vs. No. 8 Emporia State
10/10/26    W, 42-20 vs. No. 24 Central Missouri
11/22/25    L, 38-16 at No. 2 Harding
11/15/25    L, 27-14 vs. No. 7 Pittsburg State
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

516 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, 2025).
    Coffey called game No. 516 in a row in Northwest's 59-14 home win vs. No. 8-ranked Emporia State. Northwest is 377-139 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.
    Coffey was inducted into the Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in June 2026. He is set to enter the M Club Hall of Fame Oct. 30 as a part of this year's Homecoming festivities.