“Hard work, commitment, success, teammates, lifetime relationships, memories… That’s what it means to be a Bearcat!”
the “What sold Northwest to me was t den stu the and s yer way that the pla y The in! all e wer y The body believed. to es um vol ke spo t bled green. Tha ted me. The other schools that I visi a not but ff, stu re mo sometimes had ce.” stan sub re mo one of them had
Jason Melnick WR 1993-1996
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Tony “Tiger” Miles WR 1996-20
“To me, being a Bearcat is being a part of something bigger than yourself, there are tons of people who would love to do what you are doing. Enjoy being with your teammates, enjoy being with your coaches. Nobody loves practice, but without it you can’t win championships.” Brian Sutton FS 1994-1998
“When I was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of the 2009 season, the coaching staff, players, trainers and fans here could not have been more supportive of me and my family. I found out that people will bend over backwards for you here.”
“Simply stated, I did not only learn my work eth ic in my everyday life by being a Bearcat, but I learned how to be a man.” Ben Harness LB 2002
-2006
Joel Osborn QB 2005-2008, GA 2009-2010 Assistant Coach 2011-present
changed my “Being a Bearcat has all started with life in many ways. It greatest one man giving me the : to play college opportunity of my life team and best football for the best coaches in Division II.”
“They [Northwest coaches] pushed me to become the first person ever in my family to earn a college degree, which in turn set an example for five younger brothers and sisters that eventually graduated college.” Andy Creger LB 1999-2003
04-2007, Jared Erspamer LB 20 20 GA 08-2010
“At the end of the day, being a Bearcat has mostly meant acting like a champion in everything I do, even if no one is watching. The character and integrity developed among my teammates and I led us to win national championships in 1998 and 1999.” Ryan T. George WR 1996-2000
e is not at being averag th d an st er nd “U work and y through hard nl O . le ab pt ce ac pion’s develop a cham sacrifice do we towards e riv st arcats we Be s A y. lit ta en m ch day. improvements ea lf se e bl ra su ea m mentors om my Bearcat fr d ne ar le I is Th and sors, teammates (coaches, profes alumni).” . 1978-1981 Dr. Al R. Cade Jr
“A Bearcat will dedicate himse lf to team before himself. This is the difference betw een Northwest and other programs that may even ha ve more talent. Be ing a selfless-pl ayer is one of the be st lessons I lear ned from being a Be arcat.” Nick Inzerello W
R 1994-1997
“Some of your best friends will be those you share the field with. Those of you courageous enough to dedicate yourselves, to persevere through challenges, will become a part of a great brotherhood. Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat!” Greg Teale QB 1992-1996
“Your time as a footba ll player is very shor t but your time as a Bearc at is forever.” Kevin Singletary 1994 -1997 First Recruiting Class of the Championship Era
Adam Dorrel Head Coach
Adam Dorrel is entering his eighth season at Northwest Missouri State, his first as head coach. Dorrel, a member of the Bearcat coaching staff since 2004, takes over a program that enters its 96th season three wins shy of 500 (497-388-33) and owns a 46-game regular season winning streak against MIAA opponents. The Bearcats have made the NCAA Division II football playoffs 13 of the last 15 seasons and won the MIAA Conference Championship 12 of the last 15 seasons, including the last five in a row. Over the last 15 seasons Northwest’s overall record is 177-27 (average record of 12-2). Northwest broke the Division II record for playoff wins in 2010 by reaching 32 victories. As offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Dorrel helped lead the Bearcats to an unprecedented five straight NCAA Division II championship appearances and the program’s third national title in 2009. In his seven seasons as a full-time coach at Northwest, the Bearcat football squad is 87-14 (.861) with five MIAA championships. Dorrel’s 2009 offensive unit was arguably one of the best in the history of Northwest football. The Bearcats averaged more than 42 points and 474 yards per game, and ranked in the top 10 nationally in four major offensive categories. Northwest was second in scoring, sixth in total offense, third in pass efficiency and eighth in passing. Under Dorrel the Bearcats have averaged more than 40 points per game three times and more than 400 yards of offense per game five times in Dorrel’s seven seasons. In addition, 14 offensive stars have been named All-Americans under Dorrel and three of the last four MIAA offensive MVPs have been Bearcats. Jeremy Davis (’08) and Brett Grozinger (’09 and ’10) have been named finalists for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award under Dorrel. Six Northwest players have signed NFL contracts since Dorrel returned to Northwest including Jamaica Rector (’04), Xavier Omon (’07), Mike Peterson (’07), Tom Pestock (’08), LaRon Council (’09), and Josh Baker (’10). Currently, Omon, Pestock and Baker are listed on NFL rosters. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Northwest in 1998, Dorrel spent a year as a graduate assistant at Northeastern State in Oklahoma. He returned to Northwest as a graduate assistant in 1999 when the team won the second of its back-to-back national titles and completed his master’s degree at Northwest in 2000. Dorrel served coaching stints at Dakota State University in South Dakota and William Jewell College in Missouri before being appointed offensive line coach at Northwest in 2004. He was promoted to offensive coordinator prior to the 2007 season and then to assistant head coach after Scott Bostwick was named head coach in December. During the summer of 2008, Dorrel was one of six American football coaches to lead clinics overseas to further strengthen the sport beyond the United States. During the summer of 2007, he served as offensive line coach for Team USA as it competed and won the IFAF World Championships in Japan. Dorrel himself is a former Northwest All-American, having played under legendary head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, who retired at the end of the 2010 season. Dorrel was a threeyear captain for the Bearcats during his collegiate career as an offensive lineman from 1994 to 1997 and earned All-MIAA honors in 1995, 1996 and 1997. A Maryville native, he also was an All-State and an All-Conference lineman at Maryville High School.
The Dorrel File Birthdate: December 2, 1974 Hometown: Maryville, Mo. High School: Maryville High School College: Northwest Missouri State University Graduate School: Northeastern State University, Northwest Missouri State University Recruiting Area: Northwest Missouri, Kansas City (Mo.)
AT NORTHWEST National Titles: 1999, 2009 National Championship Berths: 6 Playoff Berths: 8 Conference Titles: 6
YEAR-BY-YEAR 1999 MIAA NCAA 2000 MIAA 2001 2002 MIAA 2003 MIAA 2004 2005 2006 MIAA 2007 MIAA 2008 MIAA 2009 MIAA NCAA 2010 MIAA
14-1 11-1 7-4 12-1 8-3 11-2 11-4 14-1 12-2 13-2 14-1 12-2
Dorrel resides in Maryville with his wife, Erin, and their twin daughters, Samantha and Allie. j
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allowed five 100-yard rushers in the last 101 games.
Richard Wright
Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator • Seasons: 8 • College: Dana College • Recruiting Area: Eastern IA, Chicago Richard Wright is entering his first season as defensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State, previously serving as defensive line coach and special team’s coordinator since 2004. The Bearcats have featured nine All-American defensive linemen in the seven years since Coach Wright’s return. Northwest has only
During Wright’s tenure as the special teams coordinator, Northwest’s advantage on special teams became ever more noticeable. The Bearcats blocked 50 kicks in Wright’s seven seasons. Northwest blocked eight in 2009, including three in the postseason, and seven in 2010. A blocked field goal with six seconds left in
Charlie Flohr
was an All-American quarterback who set conference and school records with 42 touchdown passes and 4,145 yards passing.
• Seasons: 6 • College: Dakota State University • Recruiting Area: Eastern Missouri, St. Louis
Under Flohr the Bearcats have featured two first-team All-MIAA signal callers starting with Joel Osborn in 2008 who was also named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year. The following year Bolles was named first-team All Conference while breaking numerous passing records.
Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
Charlie Flohr is entering his first season as offensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State, previously serving as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator since 2006. In five seasons with Flohr on the coaching staff, Northwest is 46-0 with five MIAA titles in conference play. Northwest is also 65-8 overall with a national title, three second-place finishes and one semifinal appearance. Flohr was the coach of the nation’s top quarterback and wide receiver combination in 2009. Jake Soy was named national receiver of the year after hauling in 27 touchdowns and leading Division II with 1,559 yards receiving. Blake Bolles
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Northwest tied for the most pass sacks in the nation in 2009 after 19 Bearcats combined for 48 sacks. The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in quarterback sacks three times in Coach Wright’s tenure. Also, during Wright’s time as the defensive line coach, defensive end Sean Paddock broke school records for sacks in a career (27), and tackles for loss in a career (43.5), while defensive end Dave Tollefson broke the record for sacks in a season (12.5). Two former players, Dave Tollefson ‘05 (New York Giants) and Steve Williams ‘04 (New England Patriots), are currently listed on NFL rosters. Tollefson earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants following the 2007 season.
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During the 2010 season Bolles was named Second Team All-MIAA and was the first quarterback in the history of Northwest to be a Harlan Hill Award Finalist, which is awarded to the best player in Division II. He also set career passing marks at Northwest for passing yards (8,668 yards), touchdown passes (79), passing completions (662), passing attempts (995) and total yards gained (9,424 yards). Flohr was a graduate assistant at Northwest during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Northwest made it to the
the national quarterfinals in 2009 against Central Washington preserved a 21-20 Northwest victory. Wright had two players combine for five first team All-MIAA return specialists awards from 2006-2010. Kendall Wright was first team All-MIAA from 2006-2008 while Jordan Simmons took first team honors during his first two seasons in 2009 and 2010. Wright was also named second team All-American after his senior season in 2008. Wright was a graduate assistant at Northwest in 1995 and 1996 when he was the tight ends coach. During the 1996 season, Northwest won its first conference championship since 1984 and first-ever playoff game. Before coming back to Northwest in 2004, Wright was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at St. Ambrose (Iowa) University from 2000-2004. During that time, the Fighting Bees won four straight conference titles and set the league record for consecutive wins. In his first season, Wright’s defense led the country with 32 interceptions. A native of Hamilton, N.Y., Wright earned his bachelor’s degree at Dana (Neb.) College in 1995 and his master’s at Northwest in 1996. Wright resides in Maryville with his wife, Sarah, and their daughters, Grace and Kate. j
quarterfinals in 2002 and was the MIAA champions both years. After that, he served as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Truman State University during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. A native of Gillette, Wyo., Flohr earned his bachelor’s degree at Dakota State University in 2002 and his master’s at Northwest in 2003. Flohr resides in Maryville with his wife, Amy, and their children, Adam and Austin. j
Ken Gorden
from 2003-2004. During his time as a coordinator, Gordon has coached six All-Americans and 25 All-Conference players.
• Seasons: 1 • College: Northwest Missouri State University • Recruiting Area: Eastern Kansas, Kansas City (Kan.), East Texas
Gordon was a linebacker at Northwest in 1995 and 1996 and was a firstteam All-MIAA performer as a senior. He was a graduate assistant at Northwest in 1998 and 1999, working with the linebackers, when the Bearcats won back-to-back national championships. He played at Blinn Junior College prior to coming to Northwest.
Defensive Backs / Special Teams
Ken Gordon enters his first season at Northwest as the secondary coach and special teams coordinator. Gordon came to Northwest from Emporia State University where he was the defensive coordinator for four seasons. Prior to that, Gordon served as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota State Mankato from 2005-2006 and Pierce Junior College in California
Joel Osborn
Wide Receivers / Recruiting • Seasons: 1 • College: Northwest Missouri State University • Recruiting Area: Central Missouri, Central Iowa, Kansas City (Mo.) Joel Osborn enters his first season at Northwest Missouri State University as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Osborn has been at Northwest since 2004 as a player and graduate assistant, coaching the wide receivers. Northwest has won five MIAA championships and one national
A native of Quitman, Texas, Gordon earned his bachelor’s degree at Northwest in 1996 and his master’s in 1999. Gordon resides in Maryville with his wife, Jessica, and their children, Dominik and Addisyn. j
championship during Osborn’s tenure. Osborn was the starting quarterback for the Bearcats during the 2007 and 2008 seasons and led Northwest to two national runner-up finishes, finishing with a combined record of 25-4. After throwing passes to Jake Soy as a senior, he helped groom Soy into the 2009 National Wide Receiver of the Year. Soy led the nation with 27 touchdown catches and 1,559 yards receiving in 2009. Both of those marks set conference and school records. In 2010, under Osborn’s tutelage, Soy was a first team All-MIAA selection and the recipient of the Ken B. Jones MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Soy caught 83 passes for 1,311 yards and
Chad Bostwick enters his first season at Northwest as the linebackers coach. Bostwick was a linebacker at Northwest from 2000-2004 earning All-MIAA honorable mention accolades as a senior. He also helped the Bearcats win three MIAA titles and make the NCAA Division II playoffs three times. Individually, he won the Don Black Award in 2003 as the MVP of the Homecoming game and also won the Spirit of the Bearcat Award as a senior.
Chad Bostwick Linebackers
• Seasons: 1 • College: Northwest Missouri State University • Recruiting Area: Nebraska, Western Iowa
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During the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Bostwick was a graduate assistant coach at Northwest, in charge of the linebackers. The team finished as the national runnerup both seasons and captured the 2006 MIAA Championship. Bostwick is the brother of Scott Bostwick, who was named Northwest’s 18th head football
12 touchdowns. In Osborn’s two years as a graduate assistant, three players combined to earn four All-MIAA accolades and two All-America honors. A native of Harlan, Iowa, Osborn earned his bachelor’s degree at Northwest in 2008 and received his master’s in 2011. Osborn resides in Maryville with his wife, Audrey. j
coach in December and died June 5, 2011 of an apparent heart attack. Bostwick served as the linebackers and special teams coach at the University of Central Missouri during the spring of 2011. Prior to his time at UCM, he spent four seasons as the offensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines where, in 2010, he helped the Orediggers to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He also coached a player who participated in the Cactus Bowl as well as four first-team all-conference selections. A native of Omaha, Neb., Bostwick earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwest in 2005 and received his master’s in 2006. Bostwick resides in Maryville with his wife, Kelli, and their daughter, Geordynn. j
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Meet the Bearcats NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. 1 Jake Soy WR 6-3 2 Jordan Sklba S 6-0 3 Brian Miller WR 6-3 4 Tyler Shaw WR 6-0 5 Jordan Simmons RB 5-9 6 Travis Manning CB 6-0 7 Jon Gregg TE 6-6 8 Clint Utter WR 6-3 9 James Franklin RB 5-9 10 Justin Eiken WR 6-0 11 Chris Morales DE 6-1 12 John Hinchey WR 6-2 13 Jeff Howeth S 5-11 14 Blake Christopher QB 6-2 15 Trevor Adams QB 6-1 16 Tyler Seals QB 6-2 17 Gordi Metezier DB 6-2 18 Bryce Young WR 5-10 19 Darius Hicks DB 5-9 20 Derrick Hightower S 6-0 21 Nate DeJong S 6-2 22 Rick Hicks RB 5-10 23 Clarke Snodgrass S 6-0 24 Caleb Decius CB 6-2 25 Jerry Key CB 5-10 26 Denver Lohnes RB 5-11 27 Dylan Chadwick S 5-10 28 Derrick Thomas CB 5-10 29 Bryce Enyard CB 6-0 30 Tim Martinez CB 5-11 31 Billy Creason RB 5-10 32 Matt Massey LB 6-1 34 Joseph Chinn S 5-11 35 Cory Cronk LB 6-2 36 D.J. Gnader LB 6-2 37 Preston Bostwick LB 6-0 38 Kohlman Adema-Schulte RB 5-9 40 JaVon Williams RB 5-11 41 Landan Zaputil LB 5-11 42 Bryant Hummel LB 6-2 43 Vincent Defeo TE 6-2 44 Kyler Hiatt TE 6-1 45 John Schreck S 6-2 46 Kyle Kleeman FB 6-0 47 Cody Matthewson LB 6-2 48 Cody Best K 6-0 49 Todd Adolf P/K 6-1 50 Chad Kilgore LB 6-1 51 Eric Reimer LB 6-2 52 Jayron Robinson LB 6-1 53 Robert Stough OL 5-11 54 Aaron Terry DL 5-10 55 Cole Dafft OL 6-3 56 Chet Meneely LB 6-2 57 Cody Wedding DL 6-2 58 Bryce Johnston DT 6-2 59 Ryan Meyer DT 6-2 60 Jake Scarbo OL 6-2 62 John Becklun OL 6-4 65 Cole Chevalier OL 6-3 68 Collin DeBuysere LB 6-4 69 Nick Neitzel OL 6-2 70 Jordan Richman OL 6-4 71 John Petroff OL 6-3 72 Phil Carter OL 6-4 74 CJ Keeney OL 6-6 75 Rod Williams OL 6-5 76 Cody Johnson OL 6-2 77 Savontae Brown OL 6-3 78 Cody Carlson OL 6-3 80 Dylan Watts TE 6-3 81 Kyle Goodburn P 6-0 82 Jason Jozaites WR 6-3 83 James Cairney WR 5-10 84 David Mosley Wr 6-2 85 Kyle Kilgore TE 6-5 86 Joel Gantz TE 6-5 87 Kevin Arnold DE 6-4 88 Taylor Pierce WR 6-1 89 Montay Simmons DE 6-3 90 Willie Dyson DL 6-2 91 Zach Williams DE 6-3
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Wt. 215 215 220 180 195 190 255 200 185 190 255 210 205 220 200 210 200 185 170 190 210 205 205 185 180 200 195 187 180 185 200 230 190 230 225 215 185 225 235 240 230 230 195 245 230 165 185 230 225 225 275 280 280 215 235 270 270 275 285 285 230 300 260 290 270 280 300 290 285 275 230 180 190 185 185 240 245 230 200 230 260 275
Yr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. RS-Fr. Jr. So. So. So. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. So. So. Jr. RS-Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Sr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Jr. Jr. RS-Fr. Jr. RS-Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Jr. Sr. So. RS-Fr. So. So. Jr. So. So. RS-Fr. Jr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr. So. RS-Fr. Fr. RS-Fr. So. Sr. Sr. So. RS-Fr. Sr. RS-Fr. Jr. So.
Hometown/Previous School Durant, IA/Durant HS Milwaukee, WI/Murray St. Kansas City, MO/Park Hill South (UNO) St. Louis, MO/Lutheran North HS Kansas City, MO/Lee’s Summit North HS Belleville, IL/ West HS Silver Spring, MD/Monterey Peninsula JC Bloomfield, IA/Ottumwa HS Olathe, KS/Olathe North (UNO) Jefferson City, MO/Blair Oaks HS Methuen, MA/Delaware Kearney, MO/Kearney HS Dallas, TX/Highland Park Kearney, MO/Kearney HS Odessa, TX/Permian HS Bellevue, NE/West HS Margette, FL/Texas Southern Chillicothe, MO/Chillicothe HS Kansas City, MO/Central HS Belton, MO/Belton HS Rock Rapids, IA/Central Lyon HS Kansas City, MO/Central HS Chesterfield, MO/Parkway Central HS West Palm Beach, FL/Upper IA. Lincoln, NE/North Star Council Bluffs, IA/Lewis Central HS Hamilton, MO/Penny HS San Antonio, TX/Texas A&M Kingsville Huntsville, MO/Westran HS Bettendorf, IA/Pleasant Valley HS Grain Valley, MO/Grain Valley HS Kearney, MO/Kearney HS Monroe City, MO/Monroe City HS Maryville, MO/ Maryville HS Council Bluffs, IA/Lewis Central HS Omaha, NE/North HS Omaha, NE/Millard West HS Olathe, KS/Fort Scott CC Denver, IA/Cedar Falls HS Clarinda, IA/Clarinda HS Greenwood, MO/Drake Grant City, MO/Worth County HS Maryville, MO/Maryville HS Lemont, IL/Joliet Catholic HS Madrid, IA/Madrid HS Blue Springs, MO/Blue Springs HS Omaha, NE/Millard North HS Orrick, MO/Excelsior Springs HS Menomonee Falls, WI/Sussex Hamilton HS Kansas City, MO/Staley HS Liberty, MO/Liberty HS Omaha, NE/North HS Prosper, TX/Prosper HS Atlantic, IA/Atlantic HS Panama, NE/Panama HS Clarence, MO/South Shelby HS Omaha, NE/Millard West HS Blue Springs, MO/South HS Omaha, NE/Gross Catholic (UNO) Lee’s Summit, MO/West HS Geneseo, IL/Geneseo HS Creston, IA/Creston HS Hamilton, MO/Penny HS Chesterfield, MO/Parkway Central HS Marine, IL/Triad HS Smithville, MO/Smithville HS Grandview, MO/Grandview HS Jasper, MO/Webb City HS Lincoln, NE/North Star HS Eudora, KS/Eudora HS Camdenton, MO/Camdenton HS Roland Park, KS/Shawnee Mission North HS Westmont, IL/Downers Grove South HS Harlan, IA/Harlan Community HS Detroit, MI/Wayne State (MI) Orrick, MO/Excelsior Springs HS Perry, KS/Perry-Lecompton HS Iowa City, IA/Regina HS Wentzville, MO/Wentzville Holt HS Kansas City, MO/Lincoln Prep HS St. Louis, MO/Minnesota Kansas City, MO/Center HS
No. Name 93 Danny Carlson 94 Harold Coates 95 Matt Meinert 96 Matt Longacre 97 Ricky Bailey 98 Travis Chappelear 99 Josh Lorenson Jordan Chrisman Jared Fox Quentin Hardy Alex Visk
Pos. Ht. DT 6-2 DT 6-2 DE 6-3 DE 6-3 DE 6-3 DE 6-5 DT 6-3 DE 6-2 S 5-10 CB 5-11 TE 6-3
Wt. 275 305 240 240 235 255 285 240 190 200 200
Yr. So. So. Jr. RS-Fr. So. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr R-Fr. Jr. R-Fr.
True Freshmen Jordan Akers Tyshaan Alleyne Colton Althaber Travis Blecher Brady Bolles Colby Bowles Darreus Caston Kolten Cline John Ernzen Dearis Flint Daniel Kempf Taylor Lein Zach Maloley Robert Mann Matt McLeay Garrett Meng Creighton Morris Fred Ngwu Tristan Patterson Preston Pederson Mickey Russell Brock Sherman Shane Smith Taylor Steinke Josh Swanson Alex Taylor Joseph Traylor Jaylyn Turner Will Twaddle Christian Victor Dominque Webb Ryan Wheeler Nehemiah Wilkins Nate Wilson Alex Woodard Brandon Yost
S CB OL OL QB QB CB DE OL WR OL OL LB CB QB LB TE S DT QB LB LB OL LB FB RB WR OL S LB WR DE WR CB OL DT
180 180 270 280 180 200 175 220 260 195 260 220 215 165 175 225 210 190 250 185 210 225 280 200 215 190 170 280 175 185 180 240 185 175 280 280
Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
5-10 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-5 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-4 6-3 5-10 5-11 5-9 6-4 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-2
Hometown/Previous School Troy, IL/Triad HS Columbus, OH/Fort Scott CC Easton, KS/Pleasant Ridge HS Omaha, NE/Millard West HS Wentzville, MO/Wentzville Holt HS Urbana, MO/Missouri State Cedar Rapids, IA/Xavier HS Blue Springs, MO (Central Arkansas) St. Joseph, MO/Central HS Milwaukee, WI/Vincent HS Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley West HS Lawson, MO/Lawson HS Blue Springs, MO/Blue Spring HS Pleasant Hill, MO/Rockhurst HS Rock Island, IL/Rock Island HS Lincoln, NE/North Star HS Richmond, MO/Richmond HS Ft. Dodge, IA/Fort Dodge HS Pleasant Hill, MO (Pleasant Hill HS) Easton, KS/Pleasant Ridge HS Kansas City, MO/Park Hill HS Boonville, MO/Boonville HS Kansas City, MO/Staley HS Kearney, NE/Kearney HS Omaha, NE/Creighton Prep Omaha, NE/Creighton Prep Troy, KS/Troy HS Lincoln, NE/North Star HS Mesquite, TX/W. Mesquite HS Columbia, MO/Rock Bridge HS Leon, IA/Cental Decatur HS Council Bluffs, IA/St. Albert HS Crete, NE/Crete HS Shelbina, MO/South Shelby HS Cottage Grove, WI/Monona Grove HS Gering, NE/Gering HS Kansas City, MO/Center HS Tyler, TX/Winona HS Hawkins, TX/Winona HS Maryville, MO/Maryville, HS Fremont, NE/Bergan HS Forest Park, GA/Forest Park HS Omaha, NE/Millard North HS Raleigh, NC/Boys Town HS (Omaha) Kansas City, MO/Park Hill HS Joplin, MO/Joplin HS Omaha, NE/Millard West HS
Bearcats on National TV YEAR 1998 1999 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2010
CARRIER ESPN ESPN ESPNU ESPN ESPNU ESPN2 ESPN2 ESPN2 ESPN2 ESPN2 CBS C CBS C ESPN2 CBS C
OPPONENT SCORE Carson Newman (National Championship) 24-6 Carson Newman (National Championship) 58-52 (4 OTs) North Alabama (National Semifinal) 25-24 Grand Valley (National Championship) 17-21 Bloomsburg (National Semifinal) 33-3 Grand Valley (National Championship) 14-17 Grand Valley (National Semifinal) 34-16 Valdosta St. (National Championship) 20-25 North Alabama (National Semifinal) 41-7 Minnesota Duluth (National Championship) 14-21 Abilene Christian 14-19 California PA (National Semifinal) 56-31 Grand Valley (National Championship) 30-23 Minnesota Duluth (National Semifinal) 13-17
Fall Classic at Arrowhead One of the premiere and highly anticipated sporting events in all of Division II football is the Fall Classic at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. What started as a onetime event is now in its 10th season with this year’s contest slated for Oct. 1. The teams recently signed an extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that will keep the game in Kansas City through 2013. The annual game between national powerhouses Northwest and Pittsburg State attracts more than 22,000 fans on average to the home of the Chiefs. The
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first game in 2002, dubbed “The Clash of the Champions,” brought in a seriesrecord 26,695 fans.
Northwest has won the last five Fall Classic games and leads the Arrowhead series 7-2.
The magnitude of the Northwest-Pittsburg State rivalry is something all college programs aspire to be a part of. In seven of the nine Fall Classics, both teams were ranked in the top 20 and four times both teams were ranked in the top 10. The 2004 Classic pitted the nation’s top two teams against one another in a regular season finale for the first time in Division II history.
DATE ATTENDANCE SCORE Oct. 27, 2002 26,695 29-7 Nov. 15, 2003 20,324 20-19 Nov. 6, 2004 25,542 17-21 Oct. 29, 2005 21,044 35-56 Nov. 4, 2006 22,561 41-14 Oct. 6, 2007 19,103 37-34 (OT) Oct. 4, 2008 21,316 35-10 Sept. 12, 2009 20,813 30-10 Nov.12, 2010 16,504 22-16
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It’s hard to find a more beautiful and more accommodating facility in Division II football than Northwest Missouri State’s Bearcat Stadium. Labeled “the crown jewel of the MIAA” by The Kansas City Star, Bearcat Stadium is the longestrunning continuous site for football in all of NCAA Division II. Dating back to 1913, no other stadium has played host to its team’s games for so long.
significant improvements since 2000. The east grandstand was completely rebuilt starting in 2000. In 2003, the new-andimproved stadium was unveiled, which included an increased seating capacity on the west side, chairback and railback seating, 10 luxury suites, a spacious and functional press area and a new scoreboard, complete with video board – one of few in a Division II football facility.
First named Memorial Stadium in 1917, and then Rickenbrode Stadium from 1961-2004, Bearcat Stadium has seen
The summer of 2007 saw the installation of FieldTurf and permanent lighting. Contributors for the project requested the new playing surface be named after
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former head coach Mel Tjeerdsma. On June 28, 2007, the Northwest Board of Regents unanimously approved the proposal. From 2004 to the start of the 2011 season, the Bearcats are 43-3 at the facility which includes 17- and 13-game winning streaks. The facility has seen 12 NCAA playoff contests since its renaming in 2004 – all Northwest wins.
Locker Room Amenities
• Newly renovated in 2005 • 120 full lockers • Lockers include six storage areas • Two 37-inch LCD flat panel HDTVs • DVD/VHS player with surround sound • Overhead projector with pull-down screen • Stereo system
Training Room Amenities • Remodeled in 2010 with new flooring, carpeting and painting • Six-person, Jacuzzi-style whirlpool • Nine split-leg, cabinet-style treatment tables • Two LeMond Fitness spin-style stationary bicycles • Custom cubby units for studentathlete personal storage • New offices for full-time staff members
Weight Room Amenities • 6,000 square feet of space • 10,000 square feet of agility area • Full-time strength/conditioning coach • Indoor track • Dumbbells from 5 to 150 lbs. • 10 power racks • 5 Hammer Strength Jammer machines • 1 Force Treadmill • Recovery shake available after each workout
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1998
1999
Northwest Missouri State quarterback Chris Greisen threw two touchdown passes and Derek Lane ran for one touchdown to lead the Bearcats to a 24-6 win against Carson-Newman and the program’s first national title. Greisen threw an NCAA record 13 touchdown passes during the playoffs. Northwest became the first Division II program to 8finish a season 15-0.
Four Overtimes
Northwest (15-0) 24 Carson-Newman (12-2) 6
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Northwest (14-1) 58 Carson-Newman (13-1) 52 Northwest Missouri State’s 58-52, quadruple overtime win against CarsonNewman has been described as “the greatest college football game ever played.” Northwest scored 30 points in the fourth quarter and 15 points in the final three minutes to reach overtime, successfully completed a two-point conversion to force a fourth overtime,
and then recovered a Carson-Newman fumble to win its second national title in as many years. Bearcat quarterback Travis Miles threw for 298 yards and five touchdowns including a 13-yard strike to J.R. Hill to give the Bearcats a 58-52 lead. Hill had 120 yards receiving and caught three touchdown passes during the game including a 34 yarder with 10 seconds left in regulation. Ryan George then made “the catch” in the back of the end zone for two points and a 44-44 tie.
Northwest Missouri State has won three national championships in the last 13 seasons and competed in the national championship game seven times since 1998. The Bearcats won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999 and added their third trophy in 2009. Northwest’s three titles are tied for the third-most in Division II history (since 1973).
2009
Northwest (14-1) 30 Grand Valley State (13-2) 23 Northwest Missouri State used a 21-0 halftime lead to hold off Grand Valley State 30-23 and win the program’s third national championship. Bearcat quarterback Blake Bolles threw a 26-yard touchdown strike to Jake Soy on a 4th-and-4 play with 10 minutes remaining that gave Northwest a 30-20 advantage. The Bearcats later
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recovered an onside kick and stopped a final Laker drive before hoisting the trophy. LaRon Council ran for 172 yards and two first-half touchdowns for Northwest. Soy caught nine passes for 118 yards. Northwest scored touchdowns on its first three possessions en route to the win.
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Playoff Appearances 1984 1989 1996
1997 1998 1999
2000 2002 2004
2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010
Northwest Missouri State has advanced to the Division II playoffs 13 times in the last 15 seasons and 15 times overall. Since 1996, the Bearcats are 32-10 in the postseason with three national titles and seven championship-game appearances. The 32 victories are the most ever in Division II history. In 2009, Northwest became the first Division II program to compete in five consecutive championship games. The Bearcats have participated in the playoffs every season since 2004. Since 1996, Northwest is 12-1 in opening games of the postseason, 19-3 at home and 7-1 in the semifinals. ESPN has broadcast nine Northwest playoff games in the last six seasons.
MOST APPEARANCES 1. UC Davis 2. North Dakota State 3. North Alabama 4. Pittsburg State 5. Northwest
18 17 17 16 15
MOST VICTORIES 1. Northwest 2. North Dakota State 3. North Alabama 4. Grand Valley State 5. Pittsburg State
32 30 28 28 20
MOST TITLES 1. Truman 2. Northwest 3. SE Missouri State 4. Pittsburg State 5. Central Missouri
26 24 17 10 8
Conference Championships 1925 1931 1938 1939
1941 1942 1948 1952
1972 1974 1979 1984
1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2002 2003 2006
2007 2008 2009 2010
Northwest Missouri State has won 12 MIAA championships in the last 15 years and 24 overall. Nine of the last 11 titles were earned with unblemished 9-0 records. In fact, twice since 1997 have the Bearcats won more than 40 conference games in a row. From 1996 to the start of the 2010 season, Northwest has posted a 116-9 record in MIAA play (.928).
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Bearcat All-Americans AP Little All-Americans 1939 1984 1985 1989 1991 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 2000 2000 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008
Marion Rogers Steve Hansley Steve Hansley Jason Agee Erik Petersen Matt Uhde Adam Dorrel Twan Young Aaron Becker Aaron Crowe Chris Greisen Steve Coppinger Twan Young Sherman Wilderness Tony Miles David Purnell Chad Thompson Tony Miles Aaron Becker Andy Erpelding Brian Williams Seth Wand Jamaica Rector Seth Wand Jamaica Rector Jamaica Rector Dave Tollefson Mike Peterson Xavier Omon Mike Peterson Reid Kirby Jared Erspamer Jeremy Davis
OL WR WR DB DE DL OL DB DL LB QB OL DB OL WR K OL WR DL OL LB OL WR OL WR WR DL TE RB TE OL LB OL
1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 3rd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 3rd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 3rd 1st
2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2010
Myles Burnsides LaRon Council Brett Grozinger Jake Soy Myles Burnsides Ryan Jones
DB RB OL WR DB DB
AFCA All-Americans 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Matt Uhde Chris Greisen Chris Greisen Tony Miles Tony Miles Seth Wand Seth Wand Jamaica Rector Jamaica Rector Dave Tollefson Mike Peterson Xavier Omon Jeremy Davis Myles Burnsides Ryan Jones
DL QB QB KR WR OL OL WR WR DL TE RB OL DB DB
Daktronics/CoSIDA All-Americans 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 1998 1998
Ezra Whorley Matt Uhde Adam Dorrel Twan Young Steve Coppinger Aaron Crowe Chris Greisen
DB DL OL DB OL LB QB
1st 3rd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st
1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st
1998 1998 1998 1999 1999 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2001 2002 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010
Twan Young Aaron Becker Sherman Wilderness Chad Thompson David Purnell Aaron Becker Brian Williams Steve Comer Andy Erpelding Tony Miles Seth Wand Seth Wand Adam Long Jamaica Rector Brad Schneider Steve Williams Dave Tollefson Reid Kirby Mike Petersen Thomas Smith Xavier Omon Reid Kirby Jared Erspamer Jeremy Davis LaRon Council Sean Paddock Myles Burnsides Kendall Wright Jake Soy Brett Grozinger LaRon Council Myles Burnside Chad Kilgore Ryan Jones
DB DL OL OL K DL LB TE OL WR OL OL LB WR OL DL DL OL TE LB RB OL LB OL RB DL DB RS WR OL RB DB LB DB
1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st
MIAA Player of the Year 1974 1998 2000 2000 2004 2005 2007 2007
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Randy Baehr Chris Greisen Tony Miles Brian Williams Adam Long Dave Tollefson Jared Erspamer Xavier Omon DII Player of the Year
DB QB WR/KR LB LB DL LB RB
2008 2008 2009 2010
Joel Osborn Myles Burnsides DII Player of the Year LaRon Council Ryan Jones DII Player of the Year
QB DB RB DB
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From tailgate parties to game time to tearing down the goalposts following a dramatic win, nothing beats the gameday atmosphere at Northwest. Catch free live entertainment at the Bearcat Zone in College Park next to the stadium prior to each home game. Hit the grills with Northwest fans, get your picture taken with Bobby Bearcat and join the marching band, cheerleaders and dance team in a pep rally prior to each game. The “March to the Stadium” caps the celebration prior to each kickoff. During the game, listen for the Phi Sigma Kappa cannon shot after each Northwest score and keep count while Bobby Bearcat does pushups. Spend halftime with the Bearcat Marching Band, “The Musical Pride of Northwest.” Celebrate each Bearcat victory down on the field with coaches and players where you can get autographs, take pictures and play on the FieldTurf.
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The Hickory Stick Since 1931, the Northwest and Truman football teams have been playing for possession of a 30-inch piece of hickory that serves as the oldest traveling trophy in Division II football.
The football game in 1931 was inaugurated as a means of determining who would own the trophy for the following year. After each game, the winner paints the tip of the stick in its school color.
The history of the Hickory Stick dates back to 1930 when Northwest president Dr. Uel Lamkin sent Truman president Dr. Eugene Fair a piece of wood found on the very farm where Fair was born. The stick had been turned in the woodworking shop at Northwest and the lettering on the stick listed the scores of every football game between the two institutions from 1908 to 1930.
Northwest earned first possession of the Hickory Stick following a 7-0 win in 1931. The Bearcats have held the stick the last eight years and have won 14 of their last 15 games against the Bulldogs. Since 1931, Truman leads the all-time series 4230-4 (76 games) and has held the trophy in 44 of 80 years (the two teams did not play from 1942 through 1945).
The Don Black Award Don Black was a running back for the Bearcat football team from 1951-1953 and helped lead Northwest to a Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Association title in 1952. In 1972, the Don Black Award was presented for the first time to the most valuable player in the annual Homecoming contest. Since 1972, 34 athletes have received the honor.
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Winner Breakdown BY CLASS: Freshman Sophomore
3 4
BY POSITION: Lineman 2 Kicker/Punter 2 Linebacker 3 Defensive Back 3
Junior Senior
12 19
Safety Receiver Quarterback Running Back
3 7 9 9
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Student Athlete Success Program For more than a decade, Northwest’s student-athletes have had a higher cumulative grade-point average than the rest of the Northwest student body. Much of that academic success is attributed to Northwest’s nationally-renowned Student Athlete Success Program (SASP). The goal of the program is to provide an environment in which student-athletes can experience their fullest personal, social and academic growth. The following is a list of resources available to student-athletes through the SASP:
Advising All academic advising is provided through the individual college and academic departments.
Academic Progress During each trimester, the SASP surveys the professors of each student-athlete three times. In this grade check, the instructors are asked to comment on: the level of work the student is maintaining, the student’s attendance and attentiveness, the need for tutorial help, and any general comments.
Mentoring The SASP provides individualized mentoring sessions for interested studentathletes. The goal is to help students avoid academic-related difficulties and to develop opportunities for improvement of skills, rather than merely avoiding academic crises. It also provides for more individual monitoring of the student’s academic progress.
Supplemental Instruction The SI program offers extracurricular peer tutoring groups for traditionally tough classes. Study sessions are led by students who have completed and earned high grades in the courses covered by the study group. SI’s provide three regularlyscheduled study review sessions a week.
Tutoring Free tutoring is available in the relaxed environment at the Talent Development Center. Students can find a tutor for almost all of the general education courses and every effort will be made to find a tutor for an upper-level (300/400) course if needed. Tutoring sessions incorporate university-level study skills strategies, targeted testtaking advice, and content review of general studies and foundation-level courses in many majors. Tutoring sessions are designed to meet every individual’s needs.
Graduation Rates Northwest Missouri State football players and Northwest student-athletes in general continue to boast higher graduation rates than the national average. Eighty-five percent of Northwest football players graduate within six years. The federal graduation rate is 53 percent. In addition, 87 percent of Northwest studentathletes graduate within six years. All 11 Northwest sports programs graduate student-athletes at a higher percentage than the national average.
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Academic Excellence Northwest Missouri State football players display their talents on the field and in the classroom. Northwest football boasts three Ken B. Jones Award winners, seven Academic All-Americans and in 2009 featured Myles Burnsides, the National Scholar-Athlete of the year. The Bearcats strive for perfection on the field, but our coaching staff’s top priority is to prepare men for life after football with a college degree.
Ken B. Jones Award Winners The award is named for the MIAA’s first full-time commissioner, who retired in 1997 after 16 years of service to the conference, and passed away in May 2004 at age 74. Nominees are judged on their athletic and academic accomplishments, along with any campus/community service during each year as well as their career. 2001-2002 2005-2006 2009-2010 2010-2011
Tucker Woolsey Josh Lamberson Myles Burnsides Jake Soy
FB QB DB WR
Draddy Award Finalist
Division II National Scholar Athlete of the Year 2009-2010 Myles Burnsides
DB
Academic All-Americans 1981 2004 2004 2005 2008 2009 2009 2010
Robert Gregory Josh Lamberson Troy Tysdahl Josh Lamberson Myles Burnsides Sean Paddock Myles Burnsides Jake Soy
LB QB LB QB DB DL DB WR
Often referred to as the “Academic Heisman,” the Draddy Award is given to the nation’s top scholarathlete and awards a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. 2003
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John Edmonds
LB
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Members of the Northwest football team are leaders on the field and in the community. Whether it is helping senior citizens with home improvements, cleaning up local highways or reading stories to elementary students, Maryville counts on its Bearcats and they deliver. Northwest has participated in a spring clean-up for Maryville community members annually since 1996. The team assisted Hy-Vee in moving products into its new store and can be found moving furniture for offices across campus. Many players donate their time to reading in classrooms to Horace Mann, St. Gregory’s and Eugene Field students. The Bearcats also read to students in Florence, Ala., during the week leading up to their national championship game.
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MIAA SCHOOL Central Missouri Emporia State Fort Hays Missouri Southern Missouri Western Northwest Pittsburg State Truman State Washburn Southwest Baptist Lincoln Lindenwood Nebraska-Kearney Northeastern State Central Oklahoma
CITY Warrensburg Emporia Hays Joplin St. Joseph Maryville Pittsburg Kirksville Topeka Bolivar Jefferson City St. Charles Kearney Tahlequah Edmond
STATE MO KS KS MO MO MO KS MO KS MO MO MO NE OK OK
JOINED 1912 1991 2006 1989 1989 1912 1989 1912 1989 1986 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012
Northwest’s student body is more than 7,100 students who come from every region of the U.S. and around the world, representing 44 states and 30 countries. Northwest students are traditional, with an average age of 20. Most live on campus or within a small radius from campus. Their average ACT score is 22, and 79 percent of them rank in the upper half of their high school graduating class. The 370-acre campus is complemented by 315 acres of rural lakefront just outside Maryville and a 750-acre laboratory farm north of campus.
For more information contact: Joel Osborn Wide Receivers, Recruiting & Academic Coordinator 660.562.1088 josborn@nwmissouri.edu www.northwestbearcats.com