“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
00
“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.”
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.”
Ben Harness LB 2002
-2006
Joel Osborn QB 2005-2008 GA 2009-2010
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.”
04-2007
Jared Erspamer LB 20
“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 “Understand th work and rd y through ha 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 This I learned fr , and es at m sors, team (coaches, profes alumni).” . 1978-1981 Dr. Al R. Cade Jr
“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
“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
Mel Tjeerdsma Head Coach
Mel Tjeerdsma, a four-time national coach of the year honoree, is entering his 17th season at Northwest Missouri State and his 27th as a collegiate head coach. The winningest general in program history, Tjeerdsma has guided the Bearcats to 11 MIAA championships, three NCAA national championships and seven title game appearances in the last 12 seasons. Northwest was 0-11 in Tjeerdsma’s first season in 1994. The team is 171-30 since as he enters the 2010 season. Four years after his inaugural season with the team, the Bearcats became the first NCAA Division II squad to finish a season 15-0. Northwest won back-to-back national championships in 1998 and 1999. It was the University’s first national titles in any sport. Tjeerdsma was named AFCA Coach of the Year following both of his championship seasons. Northwest has competed in the national championship game for an unprecedented five straight seasons and walked away with its third national title last season following a 30-23 win over Grand Valley State. It completed a 14-1 campaign for Tjeerdsma and his Bearcats. Tjeerdsma received national coach of the year honors from three organizations, including the AFCA, Liberty Mutual and FieldTurf. Among his peers in Division II, Tjeerdsma is third on the active wins list (230) and holds the seventh-best win percentage (.739). His 230 wins are the fourth-most in Division II history. Tjeerdsma has more post-season victories than any other coach in Division II history. He has led Northwest to the playoffs 12 times in the last 14 seasons and sports a 29-9 post-season record. He is undefeated (7-0) in the semifinal round of the playoffs, 11-1 in opening games and 17-3 at home. Northwest made two first-round exits in its only appearances prior to Tjeerdsma’s arrival. The 2009 Bearcats became the 14th team in program history to go unbeaten in MIAA play. Nine teams under Tjeerdsma have finished 9-0 in league play since 1997. Following the 2007 season, running back Xavier Omon became the fourth player under Tjeerdsma to be drafted into the NFL. Omon was a sixth-round selection by the Buffalo Bills. Omon joins Chris Greisen (1999), Seth Wand (2003) and Dave Tollefson (2006) as Northwest players drafted after playing for Tjeerdsma. Fifteen Bearcats have either been drafted or have signed NFL contracts during Tjeerdsma’s tenure. Tjeerdsma has been named MIAA Coach of the Year 11 times (1995-2000, 2002, 20062009). He’s been named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year seven times (1996-2000, 2006, 2008). In his 16 years at Northwest, Tjeerdsma’s squads have produced 41 All-Americans. Included in the tally are 29 first-team All-Americans and 13 players who earned All-America honors in two or more seasons. Under Tjeerdsma, Northwest has produced 111 All-MIAA student-athletes, including 74 players who earned first-team honors. Seventy-two players have earned all-region honors with 46 being listed on the first team. j
The Tjeerdsma File Birthdate: May 24, 1946 Hometown: Springfield, S.D. High School: Springfield College: Southern State, South Dakota Graduate School: Northwest
At Northwest National Titles: 1998, 1999, 2009 National Championship Berths: 7 Playoff Berths: 12 Conference Titles: 11 AFCA National Coach of the Year: 4 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year: 7 MIAA Coach of the Year: 11
Year-By-Year UT Austin (1984-1993) 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
5-4-1 7-3 6-4 2-5-3 9-2
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
6-4 8-3 6-4 6-4 4-6
Totals: 59-39-4 (.598)
Northwest (1994-present) 1994 1995 1996 MIAA 1997 MIAA 1998 MIAA NCAA 1999 MIAA NCAA 2000 MIAA 2001 2002 MIAA 2003 MIAA 2004 2005 2006 MIAA 2007 MIAA 2008 MIAA 2009 MIAA NCAA
0-11 6-5 11-2 12-1 15-0 14-1 11-1 7-4 12-1 8-3 11-2 11-4 14-1 12-2 13-2 14-1
Totals: 171-41 (.807) Career Total: 230-80-4 (.739)
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Scott Bostwick
Defensive Coordinator • Seasons: 17 • College: Nebraska Wesleyan University • Recruiting Area: Western Iowa, Nebraska Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Scott Bostwick, the 2007 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, joins head coach Mel Tjeerdsma in entering his 17th season at Northwest. Since the duo’s arrival in 1994, the Bearcats have won 11 MIAA championships, three NCAA championships and made seven title game appearances in the last 12 seasons. Year-in and year-out, Bostwick produces one of the top defenses in the nation. The Bearcats have led the MIAA in scoring defense in each of the last four seasons and in total defense in each of the last two. Northwest ranked 10th nationally in run defense, 11th in sacks and 18th in scoring defense in 2009. The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in stopping the run three times in the last four years. Only five individuals have posted 100 yards rushing against Northwest in the last 63 games heading into the 2010 season. Bostwick mentored four first-team All-MIAA selections in 2004, the highest number in one season under his tenure. He matched that total in both 2007 and 2009. Bostwick has coached 50 defenders who have combined to earn 77 All-MIAA honors. j
Adam Dorrel
Offensive Coordinator • Seasons: 7 • College: Northwest Missouri State University • Recruiting Area: Western Missouri, Kansas City Northwest offensive coordinator Adam Dorrel has helped lead the Bearcats to an unprecedented five straight NCAA Division II championship appearances and the program’s third national title which came in 2009. In his six seasons as a fulltime coach at his alma mater, Northwest is 75-12 (.862).
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Dorrel’s 2009 offensive unit was arguably one of the best in the 90-plus year 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. Individually, the 2009 squad featured the nation’s leading receiver in Jake Soy, the nation’s fourth-leading passer in Blake Bolles and Division II’s fourth-leading rusher in LaRon Council. Soy was named national receiver of the year after hauling in 27 touchdowns – only the second player in Division II history to reach that number. Bolles set the MIAA’s single-
season record for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Council was named the league’s most valuable offensive player. Impressive team and individual accolades have become the norm rather than the exception under Dorrel. Thirteen offensive stars have been named All-Americans in the last six seasons and the last three MIAA offensive MVPs have been Bearcats. Dorrel himself is a former Northwest All-American. He was a three-year captain for the Bearcats during his collegiate career as an offensive lineman in Maryville from 1994-1997. j
Charlie Flohr
Passing Game / Recruiting • Seasons: 5 • College: Dakota State University • Recruiting Area: Central and Eastern Missouri Charlie Flohr has been the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Northwest since 2006. He also serves as the recruiting coordinator for the Bearcats. In four seasons with Flohr on the coaching staff, Northwest is 36-0 with four MIAA titles in conference play and 53-6 overall with a national title and three second-place finishes.
Will Wagner
Assistant Head Coach • Seasons: 13 • College: Hardin-Simmons • Recruiting Area: Eastern Kansas, Southern Missouri, East Texas Will Wagner has helped lead Northwest Missouri State to nine MIAA championships, seven national championship game appearances and three national titles since arriving in Maryville prior to the 1998 season. The Bearcats are 99-8 (.925) in conference play heading into the 2010 campaign with Wagner on board.
Flohr was the leader 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 was an All-American quarterback who set conference records with 42 touchdown passes and 4,145 yards passing. Northwest ranked second nationally in scoring (42 ppg), third in pass efficiency (172.21), sixth in total offense (474.27 ypg) and eighth in passing (298.93 ypg) in 2009. Northwest has ranked 10th, 32nd, 17th and now third nationally in pass efficiency under Flohr. j
Eleven defensive backs have combined to earn 15 All-MIAA honors during Wagner’s tenure including safety Myles Burnsides, who was named National Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after leading the team with six interceptions and placing third with 71 tackles. Burnsides graduated following the 2009 season as a two-time All-American and a three-time all-conference honoree. Northwest has finished six of the last seven seasons with at least 10 defensive players recording interceptions. In 2009, 11 Bearcats picked off 25 passes – the second-highest tally in the nation. The
Bearcats have averaged more than 18 interceptions per season since 2004. j
Richard Wright
19 Bearcats combined for 48 sacks. The Bearcats have finished in the top 10 nationally in quarterback sacks in three of the last four seasons.
• Seasons: 7
Northwest’s advantage on special teams has become ever more noticeable under Wright. The Bearcats have blocked 43 kicks in Wright’s six seasons. Northwest blocked eight in 2009, including three in the postseason.
Defensive Line / Special Teams • College: Dana College • Recruiting Area: Central and Eastern Iowa, Chicago Richard Wright has served as Northwest’s defensive line coach and coordinator of special teams since 2004. The Bearcats have featured at least one All-American defensive lineman in every season since. Northwest tied for the most pass sacks in the nation in 2009 after
The Bearcats ranked third in the nation in net punting and 11th in yards allowed per punt return in 2007. In 2009, freshmen Tyler Shaw and Jordan Simmons helped the Bearcats lead the nation in kick return yards for part of the season. The unit finished 17th overall including two touchdowns, one each by Shaw and Simmons, and an average of more than 23 yards per return. j
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Meet the Bearcats NUMERICAL ROSTER No. Name Pos. 1 Jake Soy WR 2 Josh Baker TE 3 Ryan Jones CB 4 Tyler Shaw WR 5 Jordan Simmons RB 6 Travis Manning CB 7 Justin Welch CB 8 Aldwin Foster-Rettig S 9 Graylon Sanders DB 10 Justin Eiken WR 11 Blake Bolles QB 12 John Hinchey WR 14 Blake Christopher QB 15 Trevor Adams QB 16 Tyler Seals QB 17 Gordi Metezier DB 18 Michael Stadler P 19 Darius Hicks DB 20 Derrick Hightower S 21 Nate DeJong S 22 Ricky Hicks RB 23 Clarke Snodgrass S 24 Caleb Decius CB 26 Marciele Surrell S 27 Charlie Lowe CB 28 Kelvin Austin RB 29 Christian Barksdale CB 30 Marcus Martin S 31 Billy Creason RB 32 Quincy Williams RB 33 Ben Langston LB 34 Clint Moore CB 35 Cory Cronk LB 36 D.J. Gnader LB 37 Bill Baudler LB 38 K. Adema-Schulte RB 39 Jeff Howeth S 40 Joe Scott CB 41 Landan Zaputil LB 42 Tyler Oglesby LB 43 Vincent Defeo TE 44 Kyler Hiatt TE 45 John Schreck S 46 Kyle Kleeman DE 47 Cody Matthewson LB 48 Dylan Rosier LB 49 Todd Adolf P/K 50 Chad Kilgore LB 51 Matt Massey LB 52 Willie Horn LB 53 Robert Stough OL 54 Aaron Terry DL 55 Cole Dafft OL 56 Adam Vondrak LB 57 Bryant Hummel LB 58 Bryce Johnston DL 59 Ryan Meyer DT 60 Jake Scarbo OL 61 Adam McElderry OL 62 Zach Sherry DL 63 Philip Carter OL 64 Alex Olive OL 65 Cody Carlson OL 68 Collin DeBuysere LB 70 Brett Grozinger OL 71 John Petroff OL 72 Ryan Lessman OL 73 Jason Wiseman OL 74 C.J. Keeney OL
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Ht. Wt. Yr. 6-3 215 Jr. 6-3 250 Sr. 5-11 195 Sr. 6-0 180 So. 5-9 190 So. 6-0 190 RS-Fr. 5-11 185 Sr. 6-1 205 Sr. 6-0 190 TR-Jr. 6-0 185 RS-Fr. 6-4 210 Sr. 6-2 220 So. 6-2 225 Jr. 6-1 200 RS-Fr. 6-2 210 RS-Fr. 6-2 200 TR-So. 6-2 225 Sr. 5-9 170 RS-Fr. 6-0 190 Jr. 6-2 210 So. 5-10 205 So. 6-0 200 So. 6-2 185 Jr. 5-9 180 Sr. 5-9 180 So. 5-6 170 Sr. 6-0 190 So. 6-1 210 Sr. 5-10 200 So. 5-10 190 RS-Fr. 5-11 200 Jr. 5-10 195 Sr. 6-2 225 So. 6-2 230 RS-Fr. 6-2 235 Sr. 5-9 185 RS-Fr. 5-11 205 RS-Fr. 5-9 185 TR-Jr. 5-11 235 So. 5-10 190 So. 6-2 230 So. 6-1 230 RS-Fr. 6-2 195 RS-Fr. 6-0 245 So. 6-2 230 RS-Fr. 6-0 225 Jr. 6-1 185 So. 6-1 230 Jr. 6-1 230 So. 6-1 225 Sr. 5-11 275 So. 5-10 280 Jr. 6-3 280 RS-Fr. 6-2 245 Sr. 6-2 240 RS-Fr. 6-2 270 RS-Fr. 6-2 270 So. 6-2 275 RS-Fr. 6-3 305 Jr. 6-0 220 RS-Fr. 6-4 270 RS-Fr. 6-4 285 So. 6-3 270 RS-Fr. 6-4 230 So. 6-4 285 Sr. 6-3 290 So. 6-2 290 Sr. 6-4 270 Sr. 6-6 280 RS-Fr.
Hometown/Previous School Durant, Iowa/Durant HS Chesapeake, Va./Delaware Liberty, Mo./Liberty HS St. Louis, Mo./Luthern North HS Kansas City, Mo./Lee’s Summit North HS Belleville, Ill./West HS Belton, Mo./Belton HS Balch Springs, Texas/West Mesquite HS Concord, Calif./Diablo Valley College Jefferson City, Mo./Blair Oaks HS Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southwest HS Kearney, Mo./Kearney HS Kearney, Mo./Kearney HS Odessa, Texas/Permian HS Bellevue, Neb./West HS Margette, Fla./Texas Southern Harrisonville, Mo./Harrisonville HS Kansas City, Mo./Central HS Belton, Mo./Belton HS Rock Rapids, Iowa/Central Lyon HS Kansas City, Mo./Central HS Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central HS West Palm Beach, Fla./Upper Iowa Terrell, Texas/SW Oklahoma State Maryville, Mo./Maryville HS St. Louis, Mo./Mesabi Range CTC Omaha, Neb./Westside HS Holden, Mo./Holden HS Grain Valley, Mo./Grain Valley HS Lee’s Summit, Mo./North HS Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley NW HS Princeton, Mo./Princeton HS Maryville, Mo./Maryville HS Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central HS Fontanelle, Iowa/Nodaway Valley HS Omaha, Neb./Millard West HS Dallas, Texas/Highland Park HS Lompok, Calif./Allan Hancock College Denver, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS Maryville, Mo./Maryville HS Greenwood, Mo./Drake Univ. Grant City, Mo./Worth County HS Maryville, Mo./Maryville HS Lemont, Ill./Joliet Catholic HS Madrid, Iowa/Madrid HS Mound City, Mo./Mound City HS Omaha, Neb./Millard North HS Orrick, Mo./Excelsior Springs HS Kearney, Mo./Kearney HS Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South HS Liberty, Mo./Liberty HS Omaha, Neb./North HS Prosper, Texas/Prosper HS Sioux City, Iowa/Bishop Heelan HS Clarinda, Iowa/Clarinda HS Clarence, Mo./South Shelby HS Omaha, Neb./Millard West HS Blue Springs, Mo./South HS West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley HS Maryville, Mo./Maryville HS Marine, Ill./Triad HS Springfield, Mo./Glendale HS Eudora, Kan./Eudora HS Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo HS Chillicothe, Mo./Chillicothe HS Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central HS Sioux City, Iowa/East HS Garden City, Mo./Harrisonville HS Smithville, Mo./Smithville HS
No. Name 75 Rod Williams 76 Cody Johnson 77 Dane Wardenburg 79 Zach Vie 80 Brian Geraghty 81 Clint Utter 82 Danny Pestock 83 James Cairney 84 David Mosley 85 Kyle Kilgore 86 Joel Gantz 87 Roberto Davis 88 Taylor Pierce 89 William Smalls 90 Willie Dyson 91 Zach Williams 92 Jake Baumgartner 93 Danny Carlson 94 Kyle Sunderman 95 Matthew Meinert 96 Gary Ewart 97 Ricky Bailey 98 Shayne Shade 99 Josh Lorenson True Freshmen Akere Akpan Kevin Arnold Cody Best Savontae Brown Brian Buttry Joseph Chinn Bryce Enyard Jason Jozaites Matt Longacre Tim Martinez Larry Nunn Eric Reimer Jayron Robinson Ezra Schantz Alex Visk Bryce Young
Pos. OL OL OL OL K WR TE WR WR TE TE DE WR DT DL DE DE DT DE DE DE DE DT DT
Ht. Wt. Yr. 6-5 300 So. 6-2 290 Jr. 6-7 295 Sr. 6-9 300 TR-So. 6-1 195 RS-Fr. 6-3 200 RS-Fr. 6-6 245 Jr. 5-10 185 Fr. 6-2 185 TR-Jr. 6-5 240 Jr. 6-5 245 RS-Fr. 6-3 260 Sr. 6-1 200 Jr. 6-4 280 TR-Jr. 6-2 260 TR-Jr. 6-3 275 RS-Fr. 6-3 260 RS-Fr. 6-2 275 RS-Fr. 6-4 275 Sr. 6-3 240 So. 6-1 250 So. 6-3 235 RS-Fr. 6-2 315 Sr. 6-3 280 Jr.
DL 6-4 DE 6-4 K 6-0 DL 6-3 TE/WR 6-3 S 5-11 CB 6-0 WR 6-3 DE 6-3 CB 5-11 OL 6-3 LB 6-2 LB 6-1 TE 6-3 TE 6-3 WR 5-10
270 220 160 275 190 190 180 190 230 185 277 225 225 220 200 170
Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Hometown/Previous School Grandview, Mo./Grandview HS Jasper, Mo./Webb City HS Creston, Iowa/Creston HS Fremont, Neb./Fullerton College Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South HS Bloomfield, Iowa/Ottumwa HS Lenexa, Kan./Fort Scott C.C. Harlan, Iowa/Harlan HS Detroit, Mich./Wayne State (Mich.) Orrick, Mo./Excelsior Springs HS Perry, Kan./Perry-Lecompton HS Coperas Cove, Texas/Reedley C.C. Wentzville, Mo./Wentzville Holt HS Highlands, Calif./Idaho State Univ. St. Louis, Mo./Minnesota Kansas City, Mo./Center HS Granger, Iowa/Johnston HS Troy, Ill./Triad HS Papillion, Neb./Papillion LaVista HS Easton, Kan./Pleasant Ridge HS Bedford, Iowa/Bedford HS Wentzville, Mo./Holt HS Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt HS Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier HS Benbrook, Texas/Western Hills HS Iowa City, Iowa/Regina HS Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs HS Lincoln, Neb./North Star HS Omaha, Neb./Millard West HS Monroe City, Mo./Monroe City HS Huntsville, Mo./Westran HS Westmont, Ill./Downers Grove South HS Omaha, Neb./Millard West HS Bettendorf, Iowa/Pleasant Valley HS Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway West HS Menomonee Falls, Wis./Sussex Hamilton HS Kansas City, Mo./Staley HS Laurel, Neb./Laurel-Concord HS Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley West HS Chillicothe, Mo./Chillicothe HS
Bearcats on National TV YEAR 1998 1999 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009
CARRIER ESPN ESPN ESPNU ESPN ESPNU ESPN2 ESPN2 ESPN2 ESPN2 ESPN2 CBS C CBS C ESPN2
OPPONENT SCORE Carson Newman (National Championship) 24-6 Carson Newman (National Championship) 58-52 (4 OT’s) North Alabama (National Semi Final) 25-24 Grand Valley (National Championship) 17-21 Bloomsburg (National Semi Final) 33-3 Grand Valley (National Championship) 14-17 Grand Valley (National Semi Final) 34-16 Valdosta St. (National Championship) 20-25 North Alabama (National Semi Final) 41-7 Minnesota Duluth (National Championship) 14-21 Abilene Christian 14-19 California PA (National Semi Final) 56-31 Grand Valley (National Championship) 30-23
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 one-time event is now in its ninth season with this year’s contest slated for Nov. 13. The teams recently signed a three-year extension with the 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 Kansas City
Chiefs. The first game in 2002, dubbed “The Clash of the Champions,” brought in a series-record 26,695 fans. The magnitude of the Northwest-Pittsburg State rivalry is something all college programs aspire to be a part of. In seven of the eight 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.
Northwest has won the last four Fall Classic games and leads the Arrowhead series 7-2.
DATE October 27, 2002 November 15, 2003 November 6, 2004 October 29, 2005 November 4, 2006 October 6, 2007 October 4, 2008 September 12, 2009 November 12, 2010
ATTENDANCE 26,695 20,324 25,542 21,044 22,561 19,103 21,316 20,813 16,504
SCORE 29-7 20-19 17-21 35-56 41-14 37-34 (OT) 35-10 30-10 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. First named Memorial Stadium in 1917, and then Rickenbrode Stadium from
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1961-2004, Bearcat Stadium has seen significant improvements this decade. 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. The summer of 2007 saw the installation of FieldTurf and permanent lighting.
Contributors for the project requested the new playing surface be named after current head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, and on June 28, 2007, the Northwest Board of Regents unanimously approved the proposal. From 2004 to the start of the 2010 season, the Bearcats are 38-2 at the facility which includes 17- and 13-game winning streaks. The facility has seen 10 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 sq. feet of space • 10,000 sq. feet of agility area • Full-time strength/conditioning coach • Indoor track • Dumbbells from 5-110 lbs. • 10 power racks • 5 Hammer Strength Jammer machines
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1998
Northwest (15-0) 24 Carson-Newman (12-2) 6
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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 finish a season 15-0. 8
1999
Northwest (14-1) 58 Carson-Newman (13-1) 52 Four Overtimes 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 12 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
The Bearcats later recovered an onside kick and stopped a final Laker drive before hoisting the trophy.
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 26yard touchdown strike to Jake Soy on a 4th-and-4 play with 10 minutes remaining that gave Northwest a 30-20 advantage.
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 2002
1989 2004
1996 2005
1997 2006
1998 2007
1999 2008
2000 2009
Northwest Missouri State has advanced to the Division II playoffs 13 times in the last 15 seasons and 15 times overall. The Bearcats are 29-11 in the postseason with three national titles and seven championship-game appearances. 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. Under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest is 11-1 in opening games of the postseason, 17-3 at home and 7-0 in the semifinals. ESPN has broadcast nine Northwest playoff games in the last five seasons.
MOST APPEARANCES 1. UC Davis 2. North Dakota State 3. Pittsburg State 4. North Alabama 5. NW Missouri State
18 17 16 16 15
MOST VICTORIES 1. North Dakota State 2. NW Missouri State 3. North Alabama 4. Grand Valley State 5. Pittsburg State
30 29 27 27 20
MOST TITLES 1. Truman 2. NW Missouri State 3. SE Missouri State 4. Pittsburg State 5. Central Missouri
26 24 17 10 8
Conference Championships 1925 1948 1996 2003
1931 1952 1997 2006
1938 1972 1998 2007
1939 1974 1999 2008
1941 1979 2000 2009
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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1942 1984 2002 2010
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
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
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
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
2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009
Jeremy Davis Myles Burnsides LaRon Council Brett Grozinger Jake Soy Miles Burnsides
OL DB RB OL WR DB
AFCA All-Americans 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
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
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
1st 1st 3rd 1st 2nd 2nd
DL QB QB KR WR OL OL WR WR DL TE RB OL DB
1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
DB DL OL DB OL LB QB
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
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
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
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
MIAA Player of the Year 1974 1998 2000 2000 2004 2005
Randy Baehr Chris Greisen Tony Miles Brian Williams Adam Long Dave Tollefson
DB QB WR/KR LB LB DL
2007 2008 2009 2010
Xavier Omon Myles Burnsides DII Player of the Year LaRon Council Ryan Jones
RB 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 game day 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 newly installed 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.
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 University 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 Tucker Woolsey 2005-2006 Josh Lamberson 2009-2010 Myles Burnsides
FB QB DB
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
Robert Gregory Josh Lamberson Troy Tysdahl Josh Lamberson Myles Burnsides Sean Paddock Myles Burnsides
LB QB LB QB DB DL DB
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
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 Nebraska Omaha Northwest Missouri Pittsburg State Truman State Washburn Southwest Baptist Lincoln Lindenwood Nebraska Kearney Northeastern State Central Oklahoma
City Warrensburg Emporia Hays Joplin St. Joseph Omaha Maryville Pittsburg Kirksville Topeka Bolivar Jefferson City St. Charles Kearney Tahlequah Edmond
State MO KS KS MO MO NE MO KS MO KS MO MO MO NE OK OK
Joined 1912 1991 2006 1989 1989 2008 1912 1989 1912 1989 1986 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012
Northwest’s student body is more than 7,142 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% 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: Charlie Flohr Passing Game / Recruiting 660.562.1705 cflohr@nwmissouri.edu www.northwestbearcats.com