“What sold Northwest to me was the

way that the players and the student

body believed. They were all in! They

bled green. That spoke volumes to

me. The other schools that I visited

sometimes had more stuff, but not a

one of them had more substance.”

Tony “Tiger” Miles WR 1996-2000

“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

“Being a Bearcat has changed my

life in many ways. It all started with

one man giving me the greatest

opportunity of my life: to play college

football for the best team and best

coaches in Division II.”

Jared Erspamer LB 2004-2007,

GA 2008-2010

“Understand that being average is not

acceptable. Only through hard work and

sacrifice do we develop a champion’s

mentality. As Bearcats we strive towards

measurable self improvements each day.

This I learned from my Bearcat mentors

(coaches, professors, teammates and

alumni).” Dr. Al R. Cade Jr. 1978-1981

“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

“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

“Hard work, commitment, success, teammates, lifetime relationships, memories… That’s what it means to be a Bearcat!”

Jason Melnick WR 1993-1996

“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.”

Joel Osborn QB 2005-2008, GA 2009-2010 Assistant Coach 2011-present

“A Bearcat will dedicate himself to team before himself. This is the difference between Northwest and other programs that may even have more talent. Being a selfless-player is one of the best lessons I learned from being a Bearcat.” Nick Inzerello WR 1994-1997

“Simply stated, I did not only learn my work ethic in my everyday life by being a Bearcat, but I learned how to be a man.” Ben Harness LB 2002-2006

“Your time as a football player is very short but your time as a Bearcat is forever.” Kevin Singletary 1994-1997 First Recruiting Class of the Championship Era

“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

Adam Dorrel Head Coach

The Dorrel FileBirthdate: December 2, 1974Hometown: Maryville, Mo.High School: Maryville High SchoolCollege: Northwest Missouri State UniversityGraduate School: Northeastern State University, Northwest Missouri State UniversityRecruiting Area: Northwest Missouri, Kansas City (Mo.)

1999 MIAA NCAA 14-12000 MIAA 11-12001 7-42002 MIAA 12-12003 MIAA 8-32004 11-22005 11-42006 MIAA 14-12007 MIAA 12-22008 MIAA 13-22009 MIAA NCAA 14-12010 MIAA 12-2

National Titles: 1999, 2009National Championship Berths: 6Playoff Berths: 8Conference Titles: 6

AT NORTHWEST

YEAR-BY-YEAR

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 three-year 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.

Dorrel resides in Maryville with his wife, Erin, and their twin daughters, Samantha and Allie. j

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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

was an All-American quarterback who set conference and school records with 42 touchdown passes and 4,145 yards passing.

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.

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

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

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

allowed five 100-yard rushers in the last 101 games.

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.

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

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

Charlie FlohrOffensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks• Seasons: 6• College: Dakota State University• Recruiting Area:

Eastern Missouri, St. Louis

Richard WrightAssistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator• Seasons: 8• College: Dana College• Recruiting Area: Eastern IA, Chicago

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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

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.

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 runner-up both seasons and captured the 2006 MIAA Championship. Bostwick is the brother of Scott Bostwick, who was named Northwest’s 18th head football

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

Ken GordenDefensive Backs / Special Teams

Joel OsbornWide Receivers / Recruiting

Chad BostwickLinebackers

• Seasons: 1• College: Northwest Missouri State University• Recruiting Area: Eastern Kansas, Kansas City (Kan.), East Texas

• Seasons: 1• College: Northwest Missouri State University• Recruiting Area: Central Missouri, Central Iowa, Kansas City (Mo.)

• Seasons: 1• College: Northwest Missouri State University• Recruiting Area: Nebraska, Western Iowa

from 2003-2004. During his time as a coordinator, Gordon has coached six All-Americans and 25 All-Conference players.

Gordon was a linebacker at Northwest in 1995 and 1996 and was a first-team 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.

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

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

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

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Meet the BearcatsNUMERICAL ROSTER

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School1 JakeSoy WR 6-3 215 Sr. Durant,IA/DurantHS2 JordanSklba S 6-0 215 Sr. Milwaukee,WI/MurraySt.3 BrianMiller WR 6-3 220 Jr. KansasCity,MO/ParkHillSouth(UNO)4 TylerShaw WR 6-0 180 Jr. St.Louis,MO/LutheranNorthHS5 JordanSimmons RB 5-9 195 Jr. KansasCity,MO/Lee’sSummitNorthHS6 TravisManning CB 6-0 190 RS-Fr. Belleville,IL/WestHS7 JonGregg TE 6-6 255 Jr. SilverSpring,MD/MontereyPeninsulaJC8 ClintUtter WR 6-3 200 So. Bloomfield,IA/OttumwaHS9 JamesFranklin RB 5-9 185 So. Olathe,KS/OlatheNorth(UNO)10 JustinEiken WR 6-0 190 So. JeffersonCity,MO/BlairOaksHS11 ChrisMorales DE 6-1 255 Sr. Methuen,MA/Delaware12 JohnHinchey WR 6-2 210 Jr. Kearney,MO/KearneyHS13 JeffHoweth S 5-11 205 So. Dallas,TX/HighlandPark14 BlakeChristopher QB 6-2 220 Sr. Kearney,MO/KearneyHS15 TrevorAdams QB 6-1 200 So. Odessa,TX/PermianHS16 TylerSeals QB 6-2 210 So. Bellevue,NE/WestHS17 GordiMetezier DB 6-2 200 Jr. Margette,FL/TexasSouthern18 BryceYoung WR 5-10 185 RS-Fr. Chillicothe,MO/ChillicotheHS19 DariusHicks DB 5-9 170 So. KansasCity,MO/CentralHS20 DerrickHightower S 6-0 190 Sr. Belton,MO/BeltonHS21 NateDeJong S 6-2 210 Jr. RockRapids,IA/CentralLyonHS22 RickHicks RB 5-10 205 Jr. KansasCity,MO/CentralHS23 ClarkeSnodgrass S 6-0 205 Jr. Chesterfield,MO/ParkwayCentralHS24 CalebDecius CB 6-2 185 Sr. WestPalmBeach,FL/UpperIA.25 JerryKey CB 5-10 180 RS-Fr. Lincoln,NE/NorthStar26 DenverLohnes RB 5-11 200 RS-Fr. CouncilBluffs,IA/LewisCentralHS27 DylanChadwick S 5-10 195 RS-Fr. Hamilton,MO/PennyHS28 DerrickThomas CB 5-10 187 Sr. SanAntonio,TX/TexasA&MKingsville29 BryceEnyard CB 6-0 180 RS-Fr. Huntsville,MO/WestranHS30 TimMartinez CB 5-11 185 RS-Fr. Bettendorf,IA/PleasantValleyHS31 BillyCreason RB 5-10 200 Jr. GrainValley,MO/GrainValleyHS32 MattMassey LB 6-1 230 Jr. Kearney,MO/KearneyHS34 JosephChinn S 5-11 190 RS-Fr. MonroeCity,MO/MonroeCityHS35 CoryCronk LB 6-2 230 Jr. Maryville,MO/MaryvilleHS36 D.J.Gnader LB 6-2 225 RS-Fr. CouncilBluffs,IA/LewisCentralHS37 PrestonBostwick LB 6-0 215 Sr. Omaha,NE/NorthHS38 KohlmanAdema-Schulte RB 5-9 185 So. Omaha,NE/MillardWestHS40 JaVonWilliams RB 5-11 225 Jr. Olathe,KS/FortScottCC41 LandanZaputil LB 5-11 235 Jr. Denver,IA/CedarFallsHS42 BryantHummel LB 6-2 240 So. Clarinda,IA/ClarindaHS43 VincentDefeo TE 6-2 230 Jr. Greenwood,MO/Drake44 KylerHiatt TE 6-1 230 So. GrantCity,MO/WorthCountyHS45 JohnSchreck S 6-2 195 So. Maryville,MO/MaryvilleHS46 KyleKleeman FB 6-0 245 Jr. Lemont,IL/JolietCatholicHS47 CodyMatthewson LB 6-2 230 RS-Fr. Madrid,IA/MadridHS48 CodyBest K 6-0 165 RS-Fr. BlueSprings,MO/BlueSpringsHS49 ToddAdolf P/K 6-1 185 Jr. Omaha,NE/MillardNorthHS50 ChadKilgore LB 6-1 230 Sr. Orrick,MO/ExcelsiorSpringsHS51 EricReimer LB 6-2 225 RS-Fr. MenomoneeFalls,WI/SussexHamiltonHS52 JayronRobinson LB 6-1 225 RS-Fr. KansasCity,MO/StaleyHS53 RobertStough OL 5-11 275 Jr. Liberty,MO/LibertyHS54 AaronTerry DL 5-10 280 Sr. Omaha,NE/NorthHS55 ColeDafft OL 6-3 280 So. Prosper,TX/ProsperHS56 ChetMeneely LB 6-2 215 RS-Fr. Atlantic,IA/AtlanticHS57 CodyWedding DL 6-2 235 So. Panama,NE/PanamaHS58 BryceJohnston DT 6-2 270 So. Clarence,MO/SouthShelbyHS59 RyanMeyer DT 6-2 270 Jr. Omaha,NE/MillardWestHS60 JakeScarbo OL 6-2 275 So. BlueSprings,MO/SouthHS62 JohnBecklun OL 6-4 285 So. Omaha,NE/GrossCatholic(UNO)65 ColeChevalier OL 6-3 285 RS-Fr. Lee’sSummit,MO/WestHS68 CollinDeBuysere LB 6-4 230 Jr. Geneseo,IL/GeneseoHS69 NickNeitzel OL 6-2 300 RS-Fr. Creston,IA/CrestonHS70 JordanRichman OL 6-4 260 RS-Fr. Hamilton,MO/PennyHS71 JohnPetroff OL 6-3 290 Jr. Chesterfield,MO/ParkwayCentralHS72 PhilCarter OL 6-4 270 So. Marine,IL/TriadHS74 CJKeeney OL 6-6 280 So. Smithville,MO/SmithvilleHS75 RodWilliams OL 6-5 300 Jr. Grandview,MO/GrandviewHS76 CodyJohnson OL 6-2 290 Sr. Jasper,MO/WebbCityHS77 SavontaeBrown OL 6-3 285 RS-Fr. Lincoln,NE/NorthStarHS78 CodyCarlson OL 6-3 275 So. Eudora,KS/EudoraHS80 DylanWatts TE 6-3 230 RS-Fr. Camdenton,MO/CamdentonHS81 KyleGoodburn P 6-0 180 Fr. RolandPark,KS/ShawneeMissionNorthHS82 JasonJozaites WR 6-3 190 RS-Fr. Westmont,IL/DownersGroveSouthHS83 JamesCairney WR 5-10 185 So. Harlan,IA/HarlanCommunityHS84 DavidMosley Wr 6-2 185 Sr. Detroit,MI/WayneState(MI)85 KyleKilgore TE 6-5 240 Sr. Orrick,MO/ExcelsiorSpringsHS86 JoelGantz TE 6-5 245 So. Perry,KS/Perry-LecomptonHS87 KevinArnold DE 6-4 230 RS-Fr. IowaCity,IA/ReginaHS88 TaylorPierce WR 6-1 200 Sr. Wentzville,MO/WentzvilleHoltHS89 MontaySimmons DE 6-3 230 RS-Fr. KansasCity,MO/LincolnPrepHS90 WillieDyson DL 6-2 260 Jr. St.Louis,MO/Minnesota91 ZachWilliams DE 6-3 275 So. KansasCity,MO/CenterHS

93 DannyCarlson DT 6-2 275 So. Troy,IL/TriadHS94 HaroldCoates DT 6-2 305 So. Columbus,OH/FortScottCC95 MattMeinert DE 6-3 240 Jr. Easton,KS/PleasantRidgeHS96 MattLongacre DE 6-3 240 RS-Fr. Omaha,NE/MillardWestHS97 RickyBailey DE 6-3 235 So. Wentzville,MO/WentzvilleHoltHS98 TravisChappelear DE 6-5 255 Jr. Urbana,MO/MissouriState99 JoshLorenson DT 6-3 285 Sr. CedarRapids,IA/XavierHS JordanChrisman DE 6-2 240 RS-Fr BlueSprings,MO(CentralArkansas) JaredFox S 5-10 190 R-Fr. St.Joseph,MO/CentralHS QuentinHardy CB 5-11 200 Jr. Milwaukee,WI/VincentHS AlexVisk TE 6-3 200 R-Fr. OverlandPark,KS/BlueValleyWestHS

True FreshmenJordanAkers S 5-10 180 Fr. Lawson,MO/LawsonHSTyshaanAlleyne CB 6-0 180 Fr. BlueSprings,MO/BlueSpringHSColtonAlthaber OL 6-2 270 Fr. PleasantHill,MO/RockhurstHSTravisBlecher OL 6-3 280 Fr. RockIsland,IL/RockIslandHSBradyBolles QB 6-3 180 Fr. Lincoln,NE/NorthStarHSColbyBowles QB 6-5 200 Fr. Richmond,MO/RichmondHSDarreusCaston CB 5-10 175 Fr. Ft.Dodge,IA/FortDodgeHSKoltenCline DE 6-2 220 Fr PleasantHill,MO(PleasantHillHS)JohnErnzen OL 6-3 260 Fr. Easton,KS/PleasantRidgeHSDearisFlint WR 6-3 195 Fr. KansasCity,MO/ParkHillHSDanielKempf OL 6-3 260 Fr. Boonville,MO/BoonvilleHSTaylorLein OL 6-0 220 Fr. KansasCity,MO/StaleyHSZachMaloley LB 6-1 215 Fr. Kearney,NE/KearneyHSRobertMann CB 5-10 165 Fr. Omaha,NE/CreightonPrepMattMcLeay QB 5-11 175 Fr. Omaha,NE/CreightonPrepGarrettMeng LB 6-3 225 Fr. Troy,KS/TroyHSCreightonMorris TE 6-4 210 Fr. Lincoln,NE/NorthStarHSFredNgwu S 6-2 190 Fr. Mesquite,TX/W.MesquiteHSTristanPatterson DT 6-2 250 Fr. Columbia,MO/RockBridgeHSPrestonPederson QB 6-2 185 Fr. Leon,IA/CentalDecaturHSMickeyRussell LB 6-0 210 Fr. CouncilBluffs,IA/St.AlbertHSBrockSherman LB 6-0 225 Fr. Crete,NE/CreteHSShaneSmith OL 6-4 280 Fr. Shelbina,MO/SouthShelbyHSTaylorSteinke LB 6-0 200 Fr. CottageGrove,WI/MononaGroveHSJoshSwanson FB 6-1 215 Fr. Gering,NE/GeringHSAlexTaylor RB 5-11 190 Fr. KansasCity,MO/CenterHSJosephTraylor WR 6-4 170 Fr. Tyler,TX/WinonaHSJaylynTurner OL 6-3 280 Fr. Hawkins,TX/WinonaHSWillTwaddle S 5-10 175 Fr. Maryville,MO/Maryville,HSChristianVictor LB 5-11 185 Fr. Fremont,NE/BerganHSDominqueWebb WR 5-9 180 Fr. ForestPark,GA/ForestParkHSRyanWheeler DE 6-4 240 Fr. Omaha,NE/MillardNorthHSNehemiahWilkins WR 6-0 185 Fr. Raleigh,NC/BoysTownHS(Omaha)NateWilson CB 6-0 175 Fr. KansasCity,MO/ParkHillHSAlexWoodard OL 5-11 280 Fr. Joplin,MO/JoplinHSBrandonYost DT 6-2 280 Fr. Omaha,NE/MillardWestHS

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School

Bearcats on National TVYEAR CARRIER OPPONENT SCORE1998 ESPN Carson Newman (NationalChampionship) 24-61999 ESPN Carson Newman (NationalChampionship) 58-52 (4 OTs)2005 ESPNU North Alabama (NationalSemifinal) 25-242005 ESPN Grand Valley (NationalChampionship) 17-212006 ESPNU Bloomsburg (NationalSemifinal) 33-32006 ESPN2 Grand Valley (NationalChampionship) 14-172007 ESPN2 Grand Valley (NationalSemifinal) 34-162007 ESPN2 Valdosta St. (NationalChampionship) 20-252008 ESPN2 North Alabama (NationalSemifinal) 41-72008 ESPN2 Minnesota Duluth (NationalChampionship) 14-212009 CBS C Abilene Christian 14-192009 CBS C California PA (NationalSemifinal) 56-312009 ESPN2 Grand Valley(NationalChampionship) 30-232010 CBS C Minnesota Duluth(NationalSemifinal) 13-174

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Fall Classic at ArrowheadOne 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 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

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 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.

Northwest has won the last five Fall Classic games and leads the Arrowhead series 7-2.

DATE ATTENDANCE SCOREOct. 27, 2002 26,695 29-7Nov. 15, 2003 20,324 20-19Nov. 6, 2004 25,542 17-21Oct. 29, 2005 21,044 35-56Nov. 4, 2006 22,561 41-14Oct. 6, 2007 19,103 37-34 (OT)Oct. 4, 2008 21,316 35-10Sept. 12, 2009 20,813 30-10Nov.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 longest-running 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 1961-2004, Bearcat Stadium has seen

significant improvements since 2000. The east grandstand was completely rebuilt starting in 2000. In 2003, the new-and-improved 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

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.

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Training 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

Weight Room Amenities

Locker 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

• 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 student-athlete personal storage

• New offices for full-time staff members

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1999Northwest (14-1) 58Carson-Newman (13-1) 52Four OvertimesNorthwest Missouri State’s 58-52, quadruple overtime win against Carson-Newman 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.

1998Northwest (15-0) 24Carson-Newman (12-2) 6Northwest 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

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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).

2009Northwest (14-1) 30Grand Valley State (13-2) 23Northwest 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

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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Conference Championships

Playoff Appearances

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 APPEARANCES1. UC Davis 182. North Dakota State 173. North Alabama 174. Pittsburg State 165. Northwest 15

MOST VICTORIES1. Northwest 322. North Dakota State 303. North Alabama 284. Grand Valley State 285. Pittsburg State 20

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).

MOST TITLES1. Truman 262. Northwest 243. SE Missouri State 174. Pittsburg State 105. Central Missouri 8

198419891996

1997 1998 1999

2000 2002 2004

200520062007

200820092010

1925193119381939

1941 1942 19481952

1972 1974 1979 1984

19961997 1998 1999

2000 2002 20032006

2007200820092010

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Bearcat All-AmericansAP Little All-Americans1939 Marion Rogers OL 1st1984 Steve Hansley WR 1st1985 Steve Hansley WR 1st1989 Jason Agee DB 1st1991 Erik Petersen DE 2nd1996 Matt Uhde DL 1st1997 Adam Dorrel OL 2nd1997 Twan Young DB 3rd1998 Aaron Becker DL 1st1998 Aaron Crowe LB 1st1998 Chris Greisen QB 1st1998 Steve Coppinger OL 2nd1998 Twan Young DB 2nd1998 Sherman Wilderness OL 3rd1999 Tony Miles WR 1st1999 David Purnell K 1st1999 Chad Thompson OL 2nd2000 Tony Miles WR 1st2000 Aaron Becker DL 1st2000 Andy Erpelding OL 1st2000 Brian Williams LB 2nd2001 Seth Wand OL 1st2001 Jamaica Rector WR 3rd2002 Seth Wand OL 1st2003 Jamaica Rector WR 2nd2004 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2005 Dave Tollefson DL 1st2006 Mike Peterson TE 2nd2007 Xavier Omon RB 1st2007 Mike Peterson TE 2nd2007 Reid Kirby OL 3rd2007 Jared Erspamer LB 3rd2008 Jeremy Davis OL 1st

2008 Myles Burnsides DB 1st2008 LaRon Council RB 3rd2009 Brett Grozinger OL 1st2009 Jake Soy WR 2nd2009 Myles Burnsides DB 2nd2010 Ryan Jones DB 1st

AFCA All-Americans1996 Matt Uhde DL 1st1997 Chris Greisen QB 1st1998 Chris Greisen QB 1st1999 Tony Miles KR 1st2000 Tony Miles WR 1st2001 Seth Wand OL 1st2002 Seth Wand OL 1st2003 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2004 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2005 Dave Tollefson DL 1st2006 Mike Peterson TE 1st2007 Xavier Omon RB 1st2008 Jeremy Davis OL 1st2009 Myles Burnsides DB 1st2010 Ryan Jones DB 1st

Daktronics/CoSIDA All-Americans1995 Ezra Whorley DB 2nd1996 Matt Uhde DL 1st1997 Adam Dorrel OL 2nd1997 Twan Young DB 2nd1998 Steve Coppinger OL 1st1998 Aaron Crowe LB 1st1998 Chris Greisen QB 1st

1998 Twan Young DB 1st1998 Aaron Becker DL 2nd1998 Sherman Wilderness OL 2nd1999 Chad Thompson OL 1st1999 David Purnell K 1st2000 Aaron Becker DL 2nd2000 Brian Williams LB 1st2000 Steve Comer TE 2nd2000 Andy Erpelding OL 1st2000 Tony Miles WR 1st2001 Seth Wand OL 2nd2002 Seth Wand OL 2nd2004 Adam Long LB 1st2004 Jamaica Rector WR 1st2004 Brad Schneider OL 2nd2004 Steve Williams DL 2nd2005 Dave Tollefson DL 1st2006 Reid Kirby OL 1st2006 Mike Petersen TE 1st2006 Thomas Smith LB 2nd2007 Xavier Omon RB 1st2007 Reid Kirby OL 1st2007 Jared Erspamer LB 1st2008 Jeremy Davis OL 1st2008 LaRon Council RB 1st2008 Sean Paddock DL 1st2008 Myles Burnsides DB 1st2008 Kendall Wright RS 2nd2009 Jake Soy WR 1st2009 Brett Grozinger OL 1st2009 LaRon Council RB 2nd2009 Myles Burnside DB 2nd2010 Chad Kilgore LB 2nd2010 Ryan Jones DB 1st

MIAA Player of the Year1974 Randy Baehr DB1998 Chris Greisen QB2000 Tony Miles WR/KR2000 Brian Williams LB2004 Adam Long LB2005 Dave Tollefson DL2007 Jared Erspamer LB2007 Xavier Omon RB DII Player of the Year

2008 Joel Osborn QB2008 Myles Burnsides DB DII Player of the Year2009 LaRon Council RB2010 Ryan Jones DB DII Player of the Year

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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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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 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.

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.

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 42-30-4 (76 games) and has held the trophy in 44 of 80 years (the two teams did not play from 1942 through 1945).

Winner Breakdown

BY POSITION:Lineman 2Kicker/Punter 2Linebacker 3Defensive Back 3

BY CLASS:Freshman 3Sophomore 4

Safety 3Receiver 7Quarterback 9Running Back 9

Junior 12Senior 19

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.

The Hickory Stick

The Don Black Award

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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:

Student Athlete Success Program

AdvisingAll academic advising is provided through the individual college and academic departments.

Academic ProgressDuring 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.

MentoringThe SASP provides individualized mentoring sessions for interested student-athletes. 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 InstructionThe 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 regularly-scheduled study review sessions a week.

TutoringFree 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 test-taking 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 RatesNorthwest 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 student-athletes 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 ExcellenceNorthwest 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 WinnersThe 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 FB2005-2006 Josh Lamberson QB2009-2010 Myles Burnsides DB2010-2011 Jake Soy WR

Draddy Award FinalistOften referred to as the “Academic Heisman,” the Draddy Award is given to the nation’s top scholar-athlete and awards a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.

2003 John Edmonds LB

Division II National Scholar Athlete of the Year2009-2010 Myles Burnsides DB

Academic All-Americans1981 Robert Gregory LB2004 Josh Lamberson QB2004 Troy Tysdahl LB2005 Josh Lamberson QB2008 Myles Burnsides DB2009 Sean Paddock DL2009 Myles Burnsides DB2010 Jake Soy WR

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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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MIAASCHOOL CITY STATE JOINEDCentral Missouri Warrensburg MO 1912Emporia State Emporia KS 1991Fort Hays Hays KS 2006Missouri Southern Joplin MO 1989Missouri Western St. Joseph MO 1989Northwest Maryville MO 1912Pittsburg State Pittsburg KS 1989Truman State Kirksville MO 1912Washburn Topeka KS 1989Southwest Baptist Bolivar MO 1986Lincoln Jefferson City MO 2011Lindenwood St. Charles MO 2012Nebraska-Kearney Kearney NE 2012Northeastern State Tahlequah OK 2012Central Oklahoma Edmond OK 2012

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