Game No. 10 - Northwest Missouri State (5-4/4-4 MIAA) at Northeastern State (1-8, 0-8 MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 4 | 2 p.m. (CT) | Tahlequah, Okla. | Doc Wadley Stadium (8,300)

MIAA NETWORK STREAM | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

Radio Play-by-Play: John Coffey
Radio Analyst: Matt Tritten
Radio Sideline: Keaton Smith

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUP
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football squad will head to Tahlequah, Okla., to take on the Northeastern State University RiverHawks. Kick is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Doc Wadley Stadium.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northwest has not lost a matchup with Northeastern State in 12 all-time games between the two schools.
    In the 10 matchups between the Bearcats and RiverHawks since NSU joined the MIAA in 2012, Northwest has enjoyed an average winning margin of 46.5 points per game. Northwest has scored at least 36 points in each of the last 10 matchups with the RiverHawks.

Northwest Results vs. NSU
W, 7-0 vs. NSU (9/22/39)
W, 46-7 at NSU (9/20/40)
W, 66-6 vs. NSU (9/29/12)
W, 40-12 at NSU (10/5/13)
W, 49-7 vs. NSU (10/4/14)
W, 59-7 at NSU (10/3/15)
W, 74-29 vs. NSU (10/15/16)
W, 42-14 at NSU (10/14/17)
W, 62-17 at NSU (10/27/18)
W, 79-0 vs. NSU (11/2/19)
W, 59-7 at NSU (10/23/21)
W, 36-3 vs. NSU (10/22/22)

ONE MORE WIN TO ENSURE 28 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
With its next victory this season, the Bearcat football program will have clinched its 28th straight winning season.
    Northwest's run of 27 straight winning seasons is the longest active streak among NCAA Division II programs.
    The 27 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    Losing Season
1. Linfield (Ore.)    67    1956
2. Mount Union    45    1979
3. Wartburg    30    1993
4. Northwest    27    1994
5. Hobart    26    1997
6. Wheaton (Ill.)    25    1998
7. Mary Hardin Baylor    23    2000

RARE FOUR-LOSS SEASON
Northwest has posted a winning season in 27 straight seasons and this year marks only the fourth time in that stretch that Northwest has lost four or more games.
    Northwest went 6-5 in 1995, 7-4 in 2001 and 11-4 in 2005.
    The Bearcats sit at 5-4 with two games remaining in the 2023 season.
    Northwest has suffered four MIAA losses for the first time since the 1994 season when the Bearcats went 0-9 in league play. It is only the 19th time in program history that Northwest has lost four or more MIAA games in a season.

58TH TIME OF 50 OR MORE
Northwest has scored 50 or more points in a game 58 times in the history of the program. Northwest scored 52 points in Saturday's 52-21 win at Washburn.
    It is the 14th time Northwest has scored 50 or more points since head coach Rich Wright took over in 2017.

HALFTIME LEADS ARE SECURE
Northwest is a perfect 50-0 under head coach Rich Wright when the Bearcats lead at the half.
    Northwest has won 78 straight games when leading the half.
    The last time Northwest lost a game it led at the half came Nov. 22, 2014, in an NCAA playoff game at Minnesota-Duluth. Northwest led 14-6 at the half before bowing to the Bulldogs, 25-21.

BEARCATS RANK NO. 3 IN THE NATION IN RUSH DEFENSE
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense this year by allowing only 61.6 yards per game.
    Northwest is the top-ranked rushing defense in the MIAA. Pittsburg State is second in the MIAA in rushing defense (97.8 yards/game).

NCAA Div. II Rush Yards/Game Leaders
1. Virginia Union        32.1
2. Grand Valley St.        48.8
3. Northwest Mo. St.    61.6
4. Findlay            66.7
5. East Stroudsburg    68.9
6. Johnson C. Smith    72.6
7. Fort Valley St.        73.0
8. Ohio Dominican    74.3
9. Davenport        77.1
10. Wingate        81.2

CHAIN LOCKDOWN
Northwest ranks tied for No. 4 in the nation in fewest rushing first downs allowed (36).
    The Bearcats rank No. 3 in the MIAA in total first downs allowed per game - trailing only Fort Hays State (15.5) and Pittsburg State (16.5).

NCAA Div. II Fewest Rush 1st Downs Allowed
1. Virginia Union        21
2. Davenport        32
3. Fort Valley St.        35
4. Northwest Mo. St.    36
    Johnson C. Smith    36
    Lenoir-Rhyne        36
7. Grand Valley St.        37
8. East Stroudsburg    38
9. Findlay            39
    West Florida        39

4TH-RANKED PUNT RETURN DEFENSE IN NATION
Northwest ranks No. 4 in the nation in fewest punt return yards allowed this season.
    Northwest has allowed five punts to be returned for a total of three yards. Northwest has punted 35 times this season.

NCAA Div. II Fewest Punt Return Yds. Allowed
1. Quincy            0 yards
2. Benedict        1 yard
3. Harding        2 yards
4. Northwest Mo. St.    3 yards
    Wingate        3 yards
6. Slippery Rock        4 yards
7. Midwestern St.        9 yards
    Indianapolis        9 yards
    Southwest Baptist    9 yards
10. Bentley        10 yards
    Tiffin            10 yards

OLESEN SELECTED AS MIAA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
Carter Olesen has been selected as the MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week.
    Olesen tallied five tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack and an interception in Northwest's 52-31 road win over Washburn.
    In his third career start, Olesen recorded a sack on Northwest's first defensive play of the game. He added an interception on Washburn's fifth offensive play of the game.

A MIGHTY FINE STREAK OF
NINE FOR HARRIS
Sophomore running back Jay Harris moved his consecutive games of rushing for 100 yards or more to nine in a row with a 123-yard effort against Washburn.
    Former Bearcat running back Al McKeller had eight 100-yard rushing games in the 2021 season when he finished third in the Harlon Hill Trophy race.
    Former Northwest running back Xavier Omon put together a streak of 13 consecutive 100-yard rushing games in 2006 and 2007. Omon rushed for 100 or more yards in the last four games of the 2006 season and in the first nine games of the 2007 season. Omon completed his Bearcat career with 40 100-yard rushing games and a program-best 7,073 rushing yards.
    No Bearcat has ever rushed for 100 yards in every game of a season in school history.

YOUNG HITS ON HIS OWN 100-YARD GAME
Sophomore running back Tank Young tallied his first career 100-yard rushing game with 109 yards on only 12 carries against Washburn.
    Young had a long carry of 35 yards and averaged 9.1 yards per carry vs. the Ichabods.
    Young has rushed for 344 yards (6.7 yards/carry) and one touchdown on the ground this season.
    Young has now posted a 100-yard receiving game and a 100-yard rushing game this year. Young was credited with 102 receiving yards in a win at Missouri Western.

KEEPING JAY'S STREAK STRAIGHT
Running back Jay Harris surpassed the 100-yard mark again with another 123-yard performance in a 52-31 win at Washburn.
    Harris also had a 123-yard effort in a 28-7 loss at home to Pittsburg State.
    Harris eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark with a 105-yard effort in a 27-23 win at Missouri Western.
    Harris went for a career-high 274 yards and tallied four touchdowns in a 34-21 win over Central Oklahoma.
    Harris rushed for 131 yards in week one at Missouri Southern. He came back with 120 yards rushing against Emporia State. Harris added 104 rushing yards at Fort Hays State. Harris totaled 105 yards vs. Lincoln. Harris gained 108 rushing yards against Central Missouri
    Harris has carried the ball 198 times for 1,193 rushing yards. He also leads the Bearcats with 12 rushing touchdowns.
    Harris has totaled 1,579 career rushing yards with 21 career rushing touchdowns in 17 games as a Bearcat.
    Harris is the only running back in the country (all NCAA divisions) to begin the 2023 season with nine consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Harris is one of three players to have rushed for 100 yards in every game played this season - Jhequay Chretin (Aurora - NCAA Div. III) with six games and Jordan Embry (St. Olaf - NCAA Div. III) with seven games.

Harris's Game-By Game Rushing in 2023
27-131 (2 TDs) at Missouri Southern
23-120 (1 TD) vs. Emporia State
27-104 (0 TDs) at Fort Hays State
16-105 (1 TD) vs. Lincoln
18-108 (1 TD) at Central Missouri
22-274 (4 TDs) vs. Central Oklahoma
22-105 (0 TDs) at Missouri Western
19-123 (0 TDs) vs. Pittsburg State
24-123 (3 TDs) at Washburn

Recent Bearcats with 8+ 100-yard Games in a Season
12, Xavier Omon (2007)
10, Xavier Omon (2006)
9, Jay Harris (2023)
8, Al McKeller (2021)
8, LaRon Council (2009)
8, LaRon Council (2008)
8, Xavier Omon (2005)

Recent Bearcats with 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons
2,337 - Xavier Omon (2007)
1,782 - LaRon Council (2009)
1,739 - LaRon Council (2008)
1,643 - Xavier Omon (2005)
1,601 - Al McKeller (2021)
1,575 - Xavier Omon (2004)
1,518 - Xavier Omon (2006)
1,247 - James Franklin (2011)
1,193 - Jay Harris (2023)
1,050 - Justin Rankin (2019)

MIAA RUSHING LEADER
Jay Harris leads the MIAA in rushing yards (1,193) and in rushing yards per game (132.6).
    Harris ranks T-No. 2 in the nation in rushing yards.
    Harris is one of eight NCAA Div. II running backs this season to have reached 1,000 yards rushing.

NCAA Div. II Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Gage Porter (Southern Nazarene)    1,412
2. Jay Harris (Northwest Mo. St.)    1,193
    Jordan Terrell (Barton)        1,193
4. Shen Butler Lawson Jr. (Minn. St.)    1,180
5. Chris Collier (Lock Haven)        1,103
6. Chavon Wright (Charleston)    1,027
7. Idris Lawrence (Notre Dame)    1,019
8. Michael Herzog (Hillsdale)    1,002
9. Dwayne McGee (Lenoir-Rhyne)    967
10. Kendel Givins (Ouachita Baptist)    966

    Harris ranks T-No. 2 in the nation in rushing yards per game.

NCAA Div. II Rush Yards/Game Leaders
1. Gage Porter (Southern Nazarene)    156.9
2. Jay Harris (Northwest Mo. St.)    132.6
    Jordan Terrell (Barton)        132.6
4. Shen Butler Lawson Jr. (Minn. St.)    131.1
5. Chavon Wright (Charleston)    128.4
6. Idris Lawrence (Notre Dame)    127.4
7. Chris Collier (Lock Haven)        122.6
8. Dwayne McGee (Lenoir-Rhyne)    120.9
9. Tre Stewart (Limestone)        117.2
10. Myren Harris (Davenport)    113.9

HARRIS LEADS MIAA IN ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE
Jay Harris ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in all-purpose yards.
    Harris has totaled 1,222 all-purpose yards (135.8 yards/game). Harris has gained 1,193 rushing yards to go along with 29 receiving yards.
    Harris, Central Missouri's Marcellous Hawkins (1,070) and Washburn's D.J. Bell (1,061) are the only three MIAA performers to post 1,000 or more all-purpose yards this season.

HARRIS 3RD IN MIAA IN TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS SCORED
Jay Harris ranks No. 3 in the MIAA in total touchdowns scored with 12.
    Central Missouri's Marcellous Hawkins has scored a league-best 17 touchdowns. Emporia State's Tyler Kahmann has posted 13 touchdowns.

HOHENSEE'S 9TH, 3-TD GAME
Senior quarterback Mike Hohensee recorded his ninth career game of tossing three more touchdowns in Northwest's 52-31 win at Washburn.
    Hohensee connected on touchdown passes of 34 and 15 yards to Trevon Alexander as well as a 6-yard strike to Tank Young against the Ichabods.

Hohensee's 3+ Touchdown Passes
9/18/21 at Central Missouri - 4 TDs
10/9/21 vs. Pittsburg State - 3 TDs
10/23/21 at Northeastern State - 3 TDs
10/30/21 vs. Nebraska-Kearney - 3 TDs
9/10/22 at Lincoln - 3 TDs
10/15/22 vs. Washburn - 4 TDs
9/30/23 at Central Missouri - 3 TDs
10/14/23 at Missouri Western - 3 TDs
10/28/23    at Washburn - 3 TDs

53 CAREER TOUCHDOWN TOSSES FOR HOHENSEE
Senior quarterback Mike Hohensee connected on three touchdown throws against Washburn to give him 53 career scores. Hohensee ranks No. 8 on Northwest's all-time touchdown list.

Northwest Career Touchdown Passes
1. Blake Bolles (2007-10)        79
2. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        74
3. Chris Greisen (1995-98)        68
4. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    65
5. Braden Wright (2018-22)        59
6. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        56
7. Travis Miles (1997-00)        54
8. Mike Hohensee (2019-pres.)    53
9. Greg Teale (1993-96)        52
10. John McMenamin (1999-02)    48

HIGH PERCENTAGE PASSER
Senior captain and quarterback Mike Hohensee has completed 68.2% of his passes as a collegiate quarterback. Hohensee has completed 456-of-669 for the Bearcats.
    No quarterback in this history of Bearcat football has finished their career with a 70% completion percentage. Kyle Zimmerman holds the career mark at 69.7% (320-of-459) from 2013-2016.
    Hohensee ranks No. 2 among NCAA Div. II active career leaders in completion percentage. Overall, Hohensee ranks No. 9 among all NCAA divisions in completion percentage.

NCAA Div. II Completion % (Active Career)
1. John Matocha (Colorado Mines)    .694
2. Mike Hohensee (Northwest Mo. St.)    .682
3. Braden Gleason (Emporia St.)    .674
4. Jack Strand (MSU Moorhead)    .660
5. Jayden Johannsen (S.D. Mines)    .637
6. Donovan Riddick (W. Virginia St.)    .634
7. Chance Fuller (CSU Pueblo)    .618
8. Jack Mangel (Concord)        .616
9. Nolan Hair (Truman St.)        .615
10. Tanner Clarkson (Black Hills St.)    .609

All NCAA Completion % (Active Career)
1. Micheal Hiers (Samford)        .748
2. Braxton Plunk (Mount Union)    .717
3. Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina)    .699
4. Will Rogers (Mississippi St.)    .698
5. John Matocha (Colorado Mines)    .694
6. Madden Lowe (Catholic)        .692
7. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)    .691
8. Spencer Rattler (South Carolina)    .686
9. Luke Lehnen (North Central)    .685
10. Mike Hohensee (Northwest Mo. St.)    .682

HOHENSEE PROVIDES HIGH-LEVEL EFFICIENCY
Quarterback Mike Hohensee ranks No. 6 in passing efficiency among NCAA Div. II active career leaders. Hohensee has a passing efficiency rating of 160.46.
    Hohensee ranks No. 3 in Bearcat history in pass efficiency rating behind Trevor Adams (166.4) and Blake Bolles (161.2). Adams ranks No. 5 in NCAA Div. II history, while Bolles ranks No. 18 in D-II annals.

NCAA Div. II Pass Efficiency (Active Career)
1. Andrew Edwards (Henderson St.)    171.08
2. John Matocha (Colorado Mines)    170.53
3. Riley Harms (Ouachita Baptist)    168.68
4. Brayden Long (Slippery Rock)    164.28
5. Zach Zebrowski (Central Missouri)    164.24
6. Mike Hohensee (Northwest Mo. St.)    160.46
7. Javonte Howard (Charleston)    159.10
8. Mylik Mitchell (Ferris St.)        157.69
9. T.J. Davis (Nebraska-Kearney)    156.73
10. Cade Peterson (Grand Valley St.)    154.08

QB1 MAKING PLAYS
Mike Hohensee ranks No. 3 in the nation in total offense yards per play among NCAA Div. II active career leaders. Hohensee averages 7.63 yards per play either on the ground for through the air.

NCAA Div. II Total Offense/Play (Active Career)
1. Brandon Alt (Bemidji St.)        8.05
2. Cade Peterson (Grand Valley St.)    7.79
3. Mike Hohensee (Northwest Mo. St.)    7.63
4. John Matocha (Colorado Mines)    7.47
5. Peewee Jarrett (West Florida)    7.42
6. Demilon Brown (Ark.-Monticello)    7.21
7. Graham Walker (Frostburg St.)    7.10
8. Hayden Ekern (Minnesota St).    7.02
9. Chad Dodson Jr. (Pittsburg St.)    7.02
10. T.J. Davis (Nebraska-Kearney)    6.95

HOHENSEE RANKS AMONG TOP-10 IN NW PASSING YARDS
Quarterback Mike Hohensee has completed 456 passes for 5,944 yards in 41 games as a Bearcat signal caller.
    Hohensee ranks No. 9 in Bearcat passing history with 5,944 yards.

Northwest Career Passing Yards
1. Blake Bolles (2007-10)        8,668
2. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        7,791
3. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        7,728
4. Chris Griesen (1995-98)        7,457
5. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    7,365
6. Braden Wright (2018-22)        6,836
7. John McMenamin (1999-02)    6,225
8. Travis Miles (1997-00)        6,201
9. Mike Hohensee (2019-pres.)    5,944
10. Greg Teale (1993-96)        5,689

HOHENSEE JOINS NW'S TOP-10 LIST FOR PASS COMPLETIONS
Mike Hohensee has completed 442 passes to rank No. 9 for the most pass completions in program history.

Northwest Career Passing Completions
1. Blake Bolles (2007-10)        662
2. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        622
3. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    575
4. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        562
5. Braden Wright (2018-22)        512
6. Chris Griesen (1995-98)        500
7. John McMenamin (1999-02)    488
8. Greg Teale (1993-96)        467
9. Mike Hohensee (2019-pres.)    456
10. Joel Osborn (2004-08)        454

HOHENSEE RANKS NO. 8 IN CAREER TOTAL OFFENSE
Mike Hohensee ranks No. 8 in program history in total offense for the Bearcats. Hohensee has accounted for 6,588 yards of total offense. In 865 plays, Hohensee has rushed for 644 yards and thrown for 5,944 yards.

Northwest Career Total Offense
1. Brady Bolles (2012-15)        9,296
2. Blake Bolles (2007-10)        9.254
3. Braden Wright (2018-22)        8,292
4. Trevor Adams (2010-13)        8,260
5. Josh Lamberson (2002-05)    8,064
6. Chris Griesen (1995-98)        7,574
7. Xavier Omon (2004-07)        7,073
9. Mike Hohensee (2019-pres.)    6,588
8. Travis Miles (1997-00)        6,276
10. Greg Teale (1993-96)        6,094

KASHAN TOPS 'CATS IN RECEPTIONS, TD GRABS
Senior wide receiver Kashan Griffin leads the team this year with 41 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns.
    Griffin has caught 75 career passes for 1,1289 yards. He has tallied eight career touchdown receptions as a Bearcat.

1,000-YARD TARGETS
Bearcat quarterbacks have their choice of 1,000-yard receivers in Kashan Griffin and Trevon Alexander.
    Griffin has played in 21 career games and has tallied 75 catches for 1,289 yards and eight touchdowns.
    Alexander has played in 31 games with 71 catches for 1,110 yards and 10 touchdowns.

FREDRICKSON TAKES OVER TACKLES LEAD
Sophomore safety Shane Fredrickson leads the team in tackles (42). Fredrickson has put up 28 solo stops and 14 assisted tackles.

KRONE CRANKS UP TACKLES
Sophomore linebacker Bryce Krone ranks second on the team with 40 stops. Krone has a team-best 31 solo stops and has added seven tackles-for-loss.

FISHER ADDS TO SACK, TFL TOTALS
Jake Fisher leads the Bearcats this season with 5.0 quarterback sacks and 11.5 tackles-for-loss.
    Fisher is Northwest's active career leader in sacks (13.0) and tackles-for-loss (25.0).
    Fisher had a breakout campaign in 2022 with 13.5 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 quarterback sacks. Fisher earned third-team all-MIAA status in 2022.

MAMBA MENTALITY WITH OPPOSING QUARTERBACKS
Sophomore defensive end Kobe Clayborne is tied for the team lead with five quarterback sacks. Clayborne has notched sacks against Fort Hays State, Central Missouri (2), Central Oklahoma and Washburn.

TAKE YOUR PICK
Northwest has had seven different Bearcat defenders record interceptions this season.
    Tre'on Jones, Josh Turner and Jianni Angulo are tied for the team lead with two picks each.
    Four other Bearcats (Shane Fredrickson, Carter Olesen, Isaac Vollstedt and Charles Gadie) have one pick apiece.

TRE'ON TO THE HOUSE
Junior Tre'on Jones recorded his first career blocked punt, recovery and touchdown in Northwest's 52-31 win at Washburn.
    With :09 left in the half, Jones blocked a Washburn punt at the 5-yard line. He scooped up the loose ball and took it into the endzone for a 5-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown.
    It was the first blocked punt return for a touchdown for the Bearcats since Peyton Plunkett returned one 21 yards against Central Missouri on Sept. 18, 2021.

GUASTELLA MADE 'EM ALL AT WASHBURN
Junior placekicker Noah Guastella went 7-of-7 on extra points and drilled a 37-yard field goal for a perfect kicking day in a rain-filled contest at Washburn.
    On the season, Guastella is 7-of-8 on field goals and 27-of-28 on extra points this season. Guastella ranks second on the team in scoring with 48 points.
    Guastella has made field goals from 29, 27, 22, 27, 36, 37 and 37 yards.
    Guastella ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in field goal accuracy at 87.5%.
    He ranks No. 5 in the league in total field goals made with seven.

TANK ROLLS TO 100-YARD RECEIVING GAME AT MWSU
Sophomore running back Tank Young produced his first collegiate 100-yard receiving game against Missouri Western.
    Young caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in the 27-23 win in St. Joseph, Mo. Young took a screen pass from quarterback Mike Hohensee 40 yards for a second-quarter score that evened the contest at 10-10.

100-Yard Receiving Games (Active)
Kashan Griffin - 163 yds vs. Washburn (2022)
Keegan Sturdy - 137 yds at Lincoln (2022)
Trevon Alexander - 126 yds at Lincoln (2022)
Kashan Griffin - 109 yds at Ouachita Baptist (2022)
Kashan Griffin - 111 yds at MSSU (2023)
Tank Young - 102 yds at Missouri Western (2023)

SIMPLY STINGY VS. THE RUN
Since 2017, Northwest has held 17 opponents to 20 rushing yards or less in a game.
    Northwest held Missouri Western to minus-17 yards rushing in its 27-23 win. It is the seventh time since 2017 that Northwest has held an opponent to minus rushing yards in a game.

20 Rushing Yds Allowed (or less) Since 2017
-17 at Missouri Western (10/14/23)
2 yds vs. Lincoln (9/23/23)
7 yds at Fort Hays State (9/16/23)
18 at Ouachita Baptist (11/19/22)
-16 yds vs. Northeastern State (10/22/22)
-3 yds vs. Central Missouri (9/17/22)
13 yds vs. Fort Hays State (9/1/22)
16 yds vs. Emporia State (11/13/21)
-10 yds. vs. Missouri Southern (11/6/21)
8 yds. at Missouri Western (10/2/21)
-28 yds. vs. Central Oklahoma (9/25/21)
16 yds. at Missouri Southern (9/21/19)
12 yds. vs. Fort Hays State (11/3/18)
5 yds. vs. Lindenwood (10/21/17)
-22 yds. at Northeastern State (10/14/17)
17 vs. Central Oklahoma (10/7/17)
-43 yds. vs. Missouri Southern (9/23/17)

BEARCAT STADIUM DOMINANCE
Since the 2001 season, Northwest football has gone 122-12 in Bearcat Stadium.
    Eight of the 12 losses have come against MIAA opponents - Emporia State in 2023; Fort Hays State in 2017, 2018; Pittsburg State in 2014, 2023; Missouri Western in 2012; Washburn in 2005 and Central Missouri in 2003.
    The four non-conference losses came against Northern Colorado (2002 playoffs), Nebraska-Omaha (2007 season opener), Abilene Christian (2008 season opener) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (2010 season opener).

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

COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwest has produced 21 come-from-behind victories in head coach Rich Wright's era at Northwest.
    Northwest faced a 10-3 deficit in the second quarter of its 27-23 victory at Missouri Western.
    The comeback win at MWSU is the 10th time in coach Wright's tenure that Northwest has overcome a deficit of six points or more to win.
    Northwest overcame a 14-point second-quarter deficit at Missouri Southern in the season opener to score a 31-24 win.
    The 14-point comeback was the third-largest margin overcome by the Bearcats in the Rich Wright era.

Comeback Wins Under Wright
-3 at Central Missouri (9/30/17)
-3 vs. Central Oklahoma (10/7/17)
-7 vs. Washburn (9/6/18)
-4 at Missouri Western (9/5/19)
-3 at Washburn (9/14/19)
-8 at Emporia State (10/5/19)
-7 vs. Pittsburg State (10/21/19)
-7 vs. Lincoln (10/26/19)
-17 at Fort Hays State (11/9/19)
-7 at Missouri Western (10/2/21)
-16 vs. Pittsburg State (10/9/21)
-1 vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/30/21)
-2 at Harding (11/27/21)
-5 vs. Fort Hays State (9/1/22)
-6 at Lincoln (9/10/22)
-3 vs. Missouri Western (10/1/22)
-1 vs. Washburn (10/15/22)
-10 at Nebraska-Kearney (10/29/22)
-2 vs. Missouri Southern (11/5/22)
-14 at Missouri Southern (8/31/23)
-10 at Missouri Western (10/14/23)

TIED FOR 5TH-BEST RUSHING EFFORT IN BEARCAT HISTORY
Sophomore running back Jay Harris tied for the fifth-highest single game rushing total in program history against Central Oklahoma. Harris carried the ball 22 times for 274 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-21 victory over the Bronchos.
    His 274-yard effort ranks as the second-best NCAA Div. II single-game rushing performance this season.
    Harris was named the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week for his performance against UCO.
    Harris's effort was the 26th time a Bearcat has produced a 200-plus rushing game in program history.

Top-Five Rushing Games in Bearcat History
1. 309, Xavier Omon vs. Chadron State         (Dec. 1, 2007)
2. 292, Xavier Omon vs. Grand Valley State
    (Dec. 8, 2007)
3. 290, Claude Arnick vs. Missouri S&T
    (Nov. 16, 1974)
4. 286, Joseph Johnson vs. Emporia State
    (Nov. 7, 1992)
5. 274, Xavier Omon vs. Pittsburg State
    (Oct. 6, 2007)
    274, Jay Harris vs. Central Oklahoma
    (Oct. 7, 2023)

THREE 40-PLUS YARD TD RUNS
Harris is the first Bearcat in program history to total three rushing touchdowns of 40 yards or more in the same game.
    He is the only NCAA Div. II football player to have three 40-plus yard rushing touchdowns in the same game this season.
    Harris scored on rushing plays of 15, 64, 45 and 44 yards against Central Oklahoma. Harris's four rushing touchdowns tied for the third-most by a Bearcat behind a pair of five-TD efforts by Xavier Omon in 2007.

Most Rushing TDs, Single Game
1. 5, Xavier Omon vs. Truman State
    (Sept. 22, 2007)
    5, Xavier Omon vs. Pittsburg State
    (Oct. 6, 2007)
3. 4, Jay Harris vs. Central Oklahoma
    (Oct. 7, 2023)
    4, 13 others

HARRIS LENGTHENS HIS TD RANGE
Prior to his four-touchdown effort of double-digit yards each, Jay Harris had produced only two touchdowns of 10 yards or more in his Bearcat career.
    In 2022, Harris tallied nine total touchdowns but only two went for more than 10 yards. He had a 23-yard touchdown run at Nebraska-Kearney and a 19-yarder at Emporia State.
    In 2023, Harris came into the UCO game with five rushing touchdowns and all were six yards or less.
    His four rushing touchdowns against UCO totaled 168 yards (15, 64, 45, 44). Prior to the UCO victory, his 14 previous touchdowns had equaled 65 yards in length.

FOURTH 300-YARD PASSING GAMES FOR HOHENSEE
Bearcat quarterback Mike Hohensee put up his fourth career 300-yard passing game in a 27-23 win at Missouri Western.
    Hohensee went 20-of-30 passing for 310 yards and three touchdowns against the Griffons.
    It marks the 66th 300-yard passing game by a Bearcat in the program's history.

Hohensee's 300-Yard Passing Games
310 at Lincoln (Sept. 22, 2022)
366 vs. Washburn (Oct. 15, 2022)
322 at Ouachita Baptist (Nov. 19, 2022)
310 at Missouri Western (Oct. 14, 2023)

GIAGIARI MAKES IT A DOUBLE
John Giagiari scored a touchdown reception for the second straight week after he nabbed a 17-yard scoring strike from Mike Hohensee in the third quarter vs. Central Oklahoma.
    The previous week at Central Missouri, Giagiari latched on to a 45-yard touchdown strike with 0:58 left in the fourth quarter of a 41-38 loss to UCM. It was Giagairi's first career toucdhown as a Bearcat.
    Giagiari has caught 13 passes for 196 yards (15.1 yards/catch) this season for the Bearcats.

MILLER FINDS HIS NICHE
Running back Jackson Miller has taken over as the Bearcat wildcat quarterback. Miller has rushed the ball 15 times for 57 yards.
    Miller completed a 22-yard touchdown strike to Ra'Shoud Shelton in the third quarter of Northwest's 41-38 loss at UCM. It was also Shelton's first career touchdown reception as a Bearcat.

BEARCAT DEFENSE PRODUCED SIX SACKS AT UCM
Northwest tallied a season-best six quarterback sacks at Central Missouri. It was the most sacks by Northwest since a seven-sack effort against Washburn on Oct. 15, 2002.
    Kobe Clayborne notched two sacks vs. the Mules. Clayton Power and Jake Fisher each gained 1.5 sacks against UCM. Drake Kinsella and Cooper Berry were each credited with a 1/2 sack vs. UCM.

SHUTOUTS UNDER WRIGHT
Northwest has recorded 10 shutouts under the direction of head coach Rich Wright, following its 59-0 blanking of Lincoln at Bearcat Stadium.
    Eight of the 10 shutouts under coach Wright have come at home.

Shutouts Under Coach Wright
59-0 vs. Lincoln (9/23/23)
38-0 vs. Central Oklahoma (9/25/21)
79-0 vs. Northeastern St. (11/2/19)
41-0 vs. Emporia State (9/29/18)
63-0 vs. Missouri Southern (9/15/18)
30-0 at Missouri Western (11/12/17)
19-0 vs. Lindenwood (10/21/17)
63-0 vs. Missouri Southern (9/23/17)
13-0 at Nebraska-Kearney (9/16/17)
34-0 vs. #4 Emporia State (8/31/17)

RUHNKE'S FIRST START ENDS WITH 59-0 WIN
Sophomore Chris Ruhnke made his first career start at quarterback and accounted for four first-half touchdowns as he led Northwest to a 59-0 drubbing of Lincoln.
    Ruhnke went 12-of-16 passing for 170 yards and three scores through the air. All three of his touchdown passes came in the second quarter (two to Kashan Griffin and one to Jamar Simpson).
    He added a one-yard rushing score in the first quarter off a broken play. He handed the ball off to running back Jay Harris, who appeared stopped in the backfield, but Harris pitched the ball back to Ruhnke who found the end zone for an unlikely rushing score.

SIMPSON SNARES 1ST TD
Junior wideout Jamar Simpson hauled in a 19-yard touchdown reception against Lincoln for his first collegiate touchdown catch.

WILLIAMS, RICHARDSON GET INTO SCORING MIX
A pair of redshirt freshman running backs in Wentric Williams III and Eric Richardson each scored their first collegiate touchdowns against Lincoln.
    Williams III, a transfer from Western Illinois, had 15 carries for 42 yards and a four-yard touchdown run against the Blue Tigers.
    Richardson had nine carries for 71 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter vs. the Blue Tigers.

MARTIN SEES FIRST ACTION, GETS HIS FIRST TOUCHDOWN
Redshirt freshman quarterback Henry Martin saw his first collegiate action against Emporia State and scored his first rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
    Martin went 5-of-8 passing for 75 yards. He rushed 3 times for 16 yards, including a 12-yard rushing score with 4:08 to play in the game.
    Martin made his first collegiate  start at Fort Hays State. Martin went 21-of-35 passing for 182 yards without an interception.
    Through two weeks of action, Martin is 26-of-43 passilng for 237 yards. He is completing 60.5% of his passing attempts with one interception.

ANGULO PICK SEALS IT
Senior transfer Jianni Angulo made the defensive play of the game for the Bearcats as he intercepted a Luke Sampson pass with 1:48 remaining to clinch the Northwest win at Missouri Southern.
    Angulo and the Bearcats were looking to stop MSSU from a game-tying (potentially game-winning drive) when he made an impressive pick in front of the Bearcat sideline.
    He joined the Bearcats this season after being a graduate transfer from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.

COLE SPLITS THE UPRIGHTS
Junior kicker Cole Lammel is 21-of-30 kicking field goals in his Bearcat career to rank No. 8 in school history.
    He knocked in 16-of-19 field goals last season, which tied for the fourth-most made field goals in a season in program history.
    Lammel's career long field goal is 46 yards.
    Lammel also ranks tied for No. 8 in program history with 80 converted extra points.

Northwest Career Field Goals Made
1. Simon Mathiesen (2013-2016)    61
2. David Purnell (1996-1999)    52
3. Tommy Frevert (2005-2008)    41
4. Todd Adolf (2009-2012)        33
5. Peter Rameh (1985-1988)        32
6. Parker Sampson (2017-2019)    31
7. Eddie Ibarra (1999-2002)        29
8. Cole Lammel (2021-pres.)    21
9. Steve Stokes (1973-1976)        19
10. Shawn Geraghty (1977-1979)    18

Northwest Career Extra Points Made
1. Todd Adolf (2009-12)        272
2. Tommy Frevert (2005-08)        263
3. David Purnell (1996-99)        241
4. Simon Mathiesen (2013-16)    237
5. Parker Sampson (2017-19)    140
6. Eddie Ibarra (1999-02)        94
7. Peter Rameh (1985-88)        83
8. Steve Stokes (1973-76)        80
    Cole Lammel (2021-pres.)    80
10. Luis Berlanga (2002)        74

NORTHWEST'S MARK AS A RANKED TEAM
Northwest has played 348 games as a ranked team in the AFCA Top 25. Northwest has posted a record of 297-51 as a ranked team.

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

Consecutive Div. II Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    18 (2004-pres.)
Grand Valley State    10 (2001-2010)
Pittsburg State    9    (1989-1997)
Albany State    8    (2004-2011)
Ferris State    8     (2014-pres.)
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 22 years. Northwest played for the crown in 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

NCAA Division II National Titles
Northwest Mo. St.    6
North Dakota State    5
Grand Valley State    4
Valdosta State        4
North Alabama    3
Ferris State        2
Minnesota Duluth    2
Northern Colorado    2
Pittsburg State    2
Texas State        2
Troy                2
15 others have one national title

Championship Game Appearances
Northwest Mo. St.    10
North Dakota St.    7
Grand Valley St.    6
Valdosta St.        5
North Alabama    5
Pittsburg St.        5
Jacksonville St.    4
Ferris St.        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.    37
North Alabama    35
North Dakota St.    30
Valdosta St.    29
Ferris St.    26
Pittsburg St.    26
Indiana (Pa.)    22
Carson-Newman    20
Shepherd    20

Div. II Playoff Win Percentage
West Florida    12-3    .800
Northwest Mo. St.    53-20     .726
North Dakota State    30-12     .714
Ferris State    26-11    .703
Tex. A&M-Commerce    9-4    .692
Grand Valley State    37-17     .685
Valdosta State    29-14     .674
North Alabama     35-18     .660
Delta State     16-9     .640
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 108 wins. North Dakota State ranks second with 71 playoff victories. Wisconsin-Whitewater has posted 56 playoff triumphs.
    NDSU won 30 NCAA Div. II playoff games before transitioning to FCS where the Bison have picked up 41 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 42 playoff games.

MIAA Playoff Records
Northwest Missouri    53-20 (26 years)
Pittsburg State    26-17 (19 years)
Central Oklahoma    3-4 (4 years)
Emporia State    3-4 (4 years)
Central Missouri    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 22 players on the list, including 21 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)

FIVE CAPTAINS
Head coach Rich Wright has designated five captains for the 2023 football season.
    Wright has named running back Jadon Brady (Savannah, Mo.), defensive lineman Jake Fisher (Smithville, Mo.), quarterback Mike Hohensee (St. Charles, Ill.), linebacker Andrew Dumas (Olathe, Kan.) and linebacker Isaac Vollstedt (Iowa City, Iowa) as team captains.

HUGHES FAMILY FIELDHOUSE
Located just northwest of College Park and Bearcat Stadium on the Northwest campus, the Carl & Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse serve as a host site for a wide range of University and community activities. The project represents the single largest public-private partnership in Northwest's 114-year history – and one of the largest public-private partnerships ever in the region.

The Hughes Fieldhouse features:
• 137,250 square-foot recreation and multipurpose facility featuring recreation and exhibition space,
• indoor flooring system,
• 90-yard practice turf,
• 300-meter indoor track,
• spectator seating and
• tiered meeting rooms
    The Hughes Fieldhouse is an estimated $20 million project with multiple financing sources, including commitments from the University, private support and community support. The facility is named for the Carl and Cheryl Hughes family, who committed a significant gift to the project through the Hughes Family Foundation.

'CATS TABBED SECOND IN PRESEASON MIAA POLLS
The Northwest Missouri State University football team has been projected to finish second in the preseason MIAA coaches' and media polls.
    The Bearcats picked up three first-place votes in the Coaches' poll to record 93 points. Pittsburg State was chosen as the preseason favorite by the coaches with 98 points and eight first-place votes.
    Northwest added seven more first-place tallies in the Media poll and secured 302 points. PSU was also the top selection in the media poll with 22 first-place votes and 320 total points.

2023 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (8) – 98 pts.
2. Northwest Mo. St. (3) – 93 pts.
3. Emporia State – 78 pts.
4. Washburn – 73 pts.
T5. Central Oklahoma – 57 pts.
T5. Nebraska Kearney – 57 pts.
7. Central Missouri – 44 pts.
8. Fort Hays State – 37 pts.
9. Missouri Western – 32 pts.
10. Missouri Southern – 26 pts.
11. Northeastern State – 10 pts.

2023 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Pittsburg State (22) – 320 pts.
2. Northwest Mo. St. (7) – 302 pts.
3. Emporia State (1) – 258 pts.
4. Washburn – 209 pts.
5. Central Oklahoma – 208 pts.
6. Nebraska Kearney – 199 pts.
7. Central Missouri – 124 pts.
8. Missouri Southern – 116 pts.
9. Missouri Western – 113 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 98 pts.
11. Northeastern State – 33 pts.