Northwest Missouri Bearcats football
Encyclopedia
The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team has appeared in seven NCAA Division II national title games
(and won three) since going 0-11 in Mel Tjeerdsma
's first season in 1994.
The Bearcats have made the playoffs in 15 seasons. They have also won or shared 23 MIAA titles.
Northwest plays its games at Bearcat Stadium
, built in 1917, and the oldest NCAA Division II stadium still in use. The field was expanded to 6,500 seats and a video screen was added in 2003 after Tjeerdsma began his run.
It plays its games with Pittsburg State University
at Arrowhead Stadium
in Kansas City, Missouri
in the Fall Classic at Arrowhead
. Pittsburg has made four national title appearances since 1991. The Oct. 17, 2002 game was witnessed by 26,695 -- the largest number in MIAA history.
Its best attended local home game was 9,500 in 2001 in the Hickory Stick (Northwest Missouri – Truman State rivalry). Its second best attended home game is in the Northwest Missouri-Missouri Western football rivalry
.
. It has not played in any other conference. The conference headquarters until 1997 was in the Maryville, Missouri
home of its first commissioner Ken B. Jones. In 1997 it moved to Overland Park, Kansas
and has subsequently moved to Kansas City.
by going 15-0—the first time in history a Division II school won 15 games and the first time a Northwest school won a team national championship in any sport.
58-52 in four overtimes to defend the title. The game was the longest in NCAA football playoff history in number of extra periods, surpassing six contests that were extended by three overtimes. The broadcast analyst on ESPN
called it the best college football game he'd ever seen. The game solidified ESPN's interest in Division II football, prompting ESPN to cover the semi-final games.
. Northwest led the game until the closing minutes and still almost pulled the game out. The Cinderella nature of Northwest coming from 22nd to challenge the #1 team in the final has been evoked as a weakness of the Bowl Championship Series
, where such a run would be impossible.
) were used at Bearcat Stadium, (its lights were removed in 1977.) The Bearcats went 3-0 in the playoffs, thus earning a rematch against the Grand Valley State University
Lakers at the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in Florence, AL, on December 16, 2006. The Bearcats fell to GVSU 17-14 after turning the ball over four times during the game.
, who went 12-0 in the regular season. The Bearcats received a first round bye. In the second round, they faced #3 West Texas A&M University
at Bearcat Stadium, and won with a final score of 56-28. In the quarterfinals the Bearcats traveled to Chadron, Nebraska to face #1 Chadron State College
. Xavier Omon lead the Bearcats to a 26-13 victory by rushing for a personal best 309 yards (282.5 m). The Bearcats faced their long-time post-season rivals Grand Valley State University
in the semifinals. Both Grand Valley and Northwest were #2 seeds in their respective regions, but the NCAA stated that due to Northwest's strength of schedule, Northwest would receive the home game. The game was broadcast from Bearcat Stadium on ESPN2
; this was the second nationally televised game from Bearcat Stadium. The game was close through the third quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter Northwest lead the close contest, 17-16. But after a Northwest interception that produced a touchdown, and a 98 yards (89.6 m) Xavier Omon touchdown run, the Bearcats prevailed with a final score of 34-16, ending Grand Valley's NCAA record-setting 40-game winning streak. The Bearcats lost to #8 Valdosta State University
in the NCAA Division II national football championship
at 12pm (Eastern) on Saturday December 15, 2007 in Florence, Alabama; the game was broadcast on ESPN2
.
In 2008 the Bearcats played in their fourth consecutive national title game and lost to Minnesota-Duluth which had a 15-0 season. Northwest has never lost a championship by more than seven points.
In 2009 the Bearcats made its fifth consecutive national title appearance. No NCAA team in any division has ever done that. The Bearcats which were ranked #2 going into the playoffs received a first round bye. In the second round they avenged their only loss of the season by defeating Texas Abilene. In the closest game of the playoffs they defeated Central Washington University (ranked #1 at the time) in the quarterfinals by rallying in the second half and then blocking a Central Washington point after in the closing seconds. In the semifinals it defeated University of California of Pennsylvania to qualify for its third meeting in the finals with Grand Valley.
died of an apparent heart attack in Maryville
. The 49-year-old Bostwick had been named head coach of the Bearcats in December, 2010 following the retirement of longtime coach Mel Tjeerdsma. Bostwick had been on the Northwest coaching staff since 1994, and most recently had served as defensive coordinator under Tjeerdsma. In 2007 had been voted the American Football Coaches Association
Division II Assistant coach of the year.
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
(and won three) since going 0-11 in Mel Tjeerdsma
Mel Tjeerdsma
Mel Tjeerdsma is a retired American football coach. He served as the head coach at Austin College in Sherman, Texas from 1984 to 1993 and at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri from 1994 until his retirement after the 2010 season. In his 27 years as a head coach, Tjeerdsma...
's first season in 1994.
The Bearcats have made the playoffs in 15 seasons. They have also won or shared 23 MIAA titles.
Northwest plays its games at Bearcat Stadium
Bearcat Stadium
Bearcat Stadium is the football stadium of the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats in Maryville, Missouri and is the oldest continuous site for any NCAA Division II school....
, built in 1917, and the oldest NCAA Division II stadium still in use. The field was expanded to 6,500 seats and a video screen was added in 2003 after Tjeerdsma began his run.
It plays its games with Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University, also called Pitt State or PSU, is a public university with approximately 7,100 students located in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. A large percentage of the student population consists of residents within the Pittsburg region; the gender proportion is relatively equal...
at Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
in the Fall Classic at Arrowhead
Fall Classic at Arrowhead
The Fall Classic at Arrowhead is football game at Arrowhead Stadium that has been in Kansas City, Missouri since 2002 between football rivals Northwest Missouri Bearcats football and the Pittsburg State University football teams.-Overview:...
. Pittsburg has made four national title appearances since 1991. The Oct. 17, 2002 game was witnessed by 26,695 -- the largest number in MIAA history.
Its best attended local home game was 9,500 in 2001 in the Hickory Stick (Northwest Missouri – Truman State rivalry). Its second best attended home game is in the Northwest Missouri-Missouri Western football rivalry
Northwest Missouri-Missouri Western football rivalry
The Northwest Missouri–Missouri Western football rivalry between the Northwest Missouri Bearcats football team and Missouri Western State University is between two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division II rivals that are less than 50 miles apart.The schools off the field...
.
Conference
Northwest was one of the original 1912 organizers of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationMid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association is a college athletic conference which operates in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and effective in 2012 in Oklahoma in the Midwestern United States. The conference was formerly known as the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic...
. It has not played in any other conference. The conference headquarters until 1997 was in the Maryville, Missouri
Maryville, Missouri
Maryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
home of its first commissioner Ken B. Jones. In 1997 it moved to Overland Park, Kansas
Overland Park, Kansas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 149,080 people, 59,703 households, and 39,702 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,627.0 people per square mile . There were 62,586 housing units at an average density of 1,102.9 per square mile...
and has subsequently moved to Kansas City.
1998
In 1998 the Bearcats won the NCAA Division II national football championshipNCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
by going 15-0—the first time in history a Division II school won 15 games and the first time a Northwest school won a team national championship in any sport.
1999
In 1999 Northwest defeated Carson-Newman CollegeCarson-Newman College
Carson–Newman College is a historically Baptist liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, United States. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic...
58-52 in four overtimes to defend the title. The game was the longest in NCAA football playoff history in number of extra periods, surpassing six contests that were extended by three overtimes. The broadcast analyst on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
called it the best college football game he'd ever seen. The game solidified ESPN's interest in Division II football, prompting ESPN to cover the semi-final games.
2005
In 2005 the Bearcats were a Cinderella team, ranked 22nd at the start of the playoffs, but they won all of their playoff games on the road until reaching the finals against Grand Valley State UniversityGrand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
. Northwest led the game until the closing minutes and still almost pulled the game out. The Cinderella nature of Northwest coming from 22nd to challenge the #1 team in the final has been evoked as a weakness of the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
, where such a run would be impossible.
2006
In the 2006 regular season the Bearcats went undefeated at 11-0. It was during their third playoff game, a game played against Bloomsburg University, that ESPN-U televised the game live from Maryville. This was the first nationally televised game from Bearcat Stadium. The game was also the first time that temporary lights (provided by ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
) were used at Bearcat Stadium, (its lights were removed in 1977.) The Bearcats went 3-0 in the playoffs, thus earning a rematch against the Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
Lakers at the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in Florence, AL, on December 16, 2006. The Bearcats fell to GVSU 17-14 after turning the ball over four times during the game.
2007
In the 2007 regular season the Bearcats went 9-1. Their only loss was to the #1 University of Nebraska at OmahaUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
, who went 12-0 in the regular season. The Bearcats received a first round bye. In the second round, they faced #3 West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910...
at Bearcat Stadium, and won with a final score of 56-28. In the quarterfinals the Bearcats traveled to Chadron, Nebraska to face #1 Chadron State College
Chadron State College
Chadron State College is a four-year public college in the Nebraska State College System in Chadron, Nebraska. The college is located in the northern part of the Nebraska Panhandle, in the Pine Ridge area....
. Xavier Omon lead the Bearcats to a 26-13 victory by rushing for a personal best 309 yards (282.5 m). The Bearcats faced their long-time post-season rivals Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
in the semifinals. Both Grand Valley and Northwest were #2 seeds in their respective regions, but the NCAA stated that due to Northwest's strength of schedule, Northwest would receive the home game. The game was broadcast from Bearcat Stadium on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
; this was the second nationally televised game from Bearcat Stadium. The game was close through the third quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter Northwest lead the close contest, 17-16. But after a Northwest interception that produced a touchdown, and a 98 yards (89.6 m) Xavier Omon touchdown run, the Bearcats prevailed with a final score of 34-16, ending Grand Valley's NCAA record-setting 40-game winning streak. The Bearcats lost to #8 Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University, also referred to as VSU, or Valdosta State, is an American public university and is one of the two regional universities in the University System of Georgia. Valdosta State is located on a campus at the heart of the city of Valdosta...
in the NCAA Division II national football championship
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
at 12pm (Eastern) on Saturday December 15, 2007 in Florence, Alabama; the game was broadcast on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
.
2008
- Main articles: 2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship playoffs2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship playoffsThe 2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship playoffs involved 24 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football....
and 2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship game2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship gameThe 2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship game was held on December 13, 2008 at Braly Municipal Stadium near the campus of the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.-Playoffs:...
In 2008 the Bearcats played in their fourth consecutive national title game and lost to Minnesota-Duluth which had a 15-0 season. Northwest has never lost a championship by more than seven points.
2009
- Main articles: 2009 NCAA Division II National Football Championship playoffs2009 NCAA Division II National Football Championship playoffsThe 2009 NCAA Division II National Football Championship playoffs involved 24 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college football....
and 2009 NCAA Division II National Football Championship game2009 NCAA Division II National Football Championship gameThe 2009 NCAA Division II National Football Championship game will be held on December 12, 2009 at Braly Municipal Stadium near the campus of the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.-Playoffs:...
In 2009 the Bearcats made its fifth consecutive national title appearance. No NCAA team in any division has ever done that. The Bearcats which were ranked #2 going into the playoffs received a first round bye. In the second round they avenged their only loss of the season by defeating Texas Abilene. In the closest game of the playoffs they defeated Central Washington University (ranked #1 at the time) in the quarterfinals by rallying in the second half and then blocking a Central Washington point after in the closing seconds. In the semifinals it defeated University of California of Pennsylvania to qualify for its third meeting in the finals with Grand Valley.
Post season results
At the conclusion of the November 26, 2011, game Northwest is 35-12 in post season play. It has been in the playoffs every year since 2004 and is 24-6 in that string.| Year | NW Rank | Venue | Opp Rank | Opponent | Score | W/L | Round | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | ||||||||
| Away | ||||||||
| Nebraska-Omaha University of Nebraska at Omaha The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University... |
15-28 | L | 1st Round | |||||
| 1989 | 18 | Away | ||||||
| Pittsburg State Pittsburg State University Pittsburg State University, also called Pitt State or PSU, is a public university with approximately 7,100 students located in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. A large percentage of the student population consists of residents within the Pittsburg region; the gender proportion is relatively equal... |
7-28 | L | 1st Round | |||||
| 1996 | 2 | Away | ||||||
| Nebraska-Omaha | 22-21 | W | 1st Round | |||||
| 1996 | 2 | Away | ||||||
| Northern Colorado University of Northern Colorado -Organization:The University of Northern Colorado offers 100 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs. The university has a satellite campus in Denver, Colorado... |
26-27 | L | Quarterfinal | |||||
| 1997 | 3 | Maryville Bearcat Stadium Bearcat Stadium is the football stadium of the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats in Maryville, Missouri and is the oldest continuous site for any NCAA Division II school.... |
16 | North Dakota State | 39-28 | W | 1st Round | |
| 1997 | 3 | Maryville | ||||||
| Northern Colorado | 19-35 | L | Quarterfinal | |||||
| 1998 | 2 | Maryville | 16 | Nebraska-Omaha | 28-14 | W | 1st Round | |
| 1998 | 2 | Maryville | 6 | Northern Colorado | 42-17 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 1998 | 2 | Maryville | 11 | Texas A&M-Kingsville | 49-34 | W | Semifinal | |
| 1998 | 2 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
3 | Carson-Newman | 24-6 | W | Finals | |
| 1999 | 4 | Maryville | 9 | North Dakota State | 20-13 | W | 1st Round | |
| 1999 | 4 | Maryville | 3 | Northern Colorado | 43-35 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 1999 | 4 | Maryville | ||||||
| Indiana University (Pa.) Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA. The university is northeast of Pittsburgh. It is the largest university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is the commonwealth's fifth largest university... |
20-12 | W | Semifinal | |||||
| 1999 | 4 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
1 | Carson-Newman | 58-52 | W | Finals | |
| 2000 | 1 | Maryville | 5 | North Dakota State North Dakota State University North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size... |
17-13 | L | 1st Round | |
| 2002 | 4 | Maryville | 11 | Minnesota-Duluth | 45-41 | W | 2nd Round (first round bye) | |
| 2002 | 4 | Maryville | 7 | Northern Colorado | 12-23 | L | Quarterfinal | |
| 2004 | 4 | Maryville | 6 | Texas A&M-Kingsville | 34-14 | W | 1st Round | |
| 2004 | 4 | Away | 1 | Pittsburg State | 36-50 | L | Quarterfinal | |
| 2005 | 21 | Away | 29 | Angelo State Angelo State University Angelo State University is a public, coeducational, doctoral level degree-granting university located in San Angelo, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1928 as San Angelo College. It gained University status and awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1967 and graduate degrees in 1969, the... |
45-14 | W | 1st Round | |
| 2005 | 21 | Away | 12 | Washburn Washburn University Washburn University is a co-educational, public institution of higher learning in Topeka, Kansas, USA. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and business. Washburn has 550 faculty members, who teach more than 6,400 undergraduate students and... |
42-32 | W | 2nd Round | |
| 2005 | 21 | Away | 23 | Pittsburg State | 21-10 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 2005 | 21 | Away | 13 | North Alabama | 25-24 | W | Semifinal | |
| 2005 | 21 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
1 | Grand Valley State | 17-21 | L | Finals | |
| 2006 | 2 | Maryville | 18 | Midwestern State Midwestern State University Midwestern State University is a public liberal arts college in Wichita Falls, Texas, and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges... |
27-0 | W | 2nd Round (first round bye) | |
| 2006 | 2 | Maryville | 8 | Chadron State | 28-21 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 2006 | 2 | Maryville | 6 | Bloomsburg Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly referred to as Bloomsburg, BU or Bloom, is a public university in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, United States... |
33-3 | W | Semifinal | |
| 2006 | 2 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
1 | Grand Valley State | 14-17 | L | Finals | |
| 2007 | 5 | Maryville | 4 | West Texas A&M West Texas A&M University West Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910... |
56-28 | W | 2nd Round (first round bye) | |
| 2007 | 5 | Away | 2 | Chadron State Chadron State College Chadron State College is a four-year public college in the Nebraska State College System in Chadron, Nebraska. The college is located in the northern part of the Nebraska Panhandle, in the Pine Ridge area.... |
26-13 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 2007 | 5 | Maryville | 1 | Grand Valley State | 34-16 | W | Semifinal | |
| 2007 | 5 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
8 | Valdsota State Valdosta State University Valdosta State University, also referred to as VSU, or Valdosta State, is an American public university and is one of the two regional universities in the University System of Georgia. Valdosta State is located on a campus at the heart of the city of Valdosta... |
20-25 | L | Finals | |
| 2008 | 3 | Maryville | 10 | Pittsburg State | 38-35 | W | 2nd Round (first round bye) | |
| 2008 | 3 | Away | 2 | Abilene Christian | 45-36 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 2008 | 3 | Away | 5 | North Alabama University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university.... |
41-7 | W | Semifinal | |
| 2008 | 3 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
6 | Minnesota-Duluth | 14-21 | L | Finals | |
| 2009 | 2 | Maryville | 16 | Abilene Christian Abilene Christian University Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute... |
35-10 | W | 2nd Round (first round bye) | |
| 2009 | 2 | Away | 1 | Central Washington Central Washington Central Washington is a region of the United States defined as the western half of Eastern Washington, or those counties lying east of the Cascade Mountains but west of the 119th meridian west.... |
21-20 | W | Quarterfinal | |
| 2009 | 2 | Maryville | 20 | California (Pennsylvnania) California University of Pennsylvania California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres... |
56-31 | W | Semifinal | |
| 2009 | 2 | Braly Stadium Braly Municipal Stadium Tom Braly Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Florence, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the University of North Alabama Lions and the Florence High School Falcons... |
3 | Grand Valley State | 30-23 | W | Finals | |
| 2010 | 3 | Maryville | ||||||
| Missouri Western | 28-24 | W | 1st Round | Northwest trailed by 17 at half -- it largest deficit that it had come back from. | ||||
| 2010 | 3 | Away Javelina Stadium Javelina Stadium is a stadium in Kingsville, Texas. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The stadium holds 15,000 people and opened in 1950.... |
4 | Texas A&M-Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries... |
35-31 | W | 2nd Round | Texas had defeated Northwest on opening day. Northwest won with 17 seconds remaining on Blake Bolles to Josh Baker pass. |
| 2010 | 3 | Maryville | 7 | Central Missouri University of Central Missouri The University of Central Missouri is a four-year public institution in Warrensburg, Missouri.- History :... |
37-20 | W | Quarterfinal | Northwest had won earlier game in Warrensburg on a field goal as time expired that was attended by 13,096 -- the biggest crowd at MIAA venue in history. |
| 2010 | 3 | Away Javelina Stadium Javelina Stadium is a stadium in Kingsville, Texas. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The stadium holds 15,000 people and opened in 1950.... |
4 | Texas A&M-Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries... |
35-31 | W | 2nd Round | Texas had defeated Northwest on opening day. Northwest won with 17 seconds remaining on Blake Bolles to Josh Baker pass. |
| 2010 | 3 | Away Griggs Field at James S. Malosky Stadium Griggs Field at James S. Malosky Stadium located on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota is the home stadium, since 1966, of the UMD Bulldogs football team and of the UMD women's soccer since 1994. The facility was originally known as Griggs Field, after Richard L... |
1 | Minnesota-Duluth University of Minnesota Duluth The University of Minnesota Duluth is a regional branch of the University of Minnesota system located in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. As Duluth's public research university, UMD offers 13 bachelor's degrees in 74 majors, graduate programs in 24 different fields, a two-year program at the School of... |
13-17 | L | Semifinal | Played during snow storm that collapsed the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... roof. Tempeatures were in the single digits and the wind blew at 30 mph. Northwest led most of the game until 4:12 left in the fourth quarter. |
| 2011 | 7 | Away Spratt Stadium Spratt Stadium is a 7,500 seat stadium in St. Joseph, Missouri on the campus of Missouri Western State University.In 2010 it will become the summer training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs.-History:... |
17 | Missouri Western | 35-29 | W | 1st Round | Northwest lost earlier game in St. Joseph 31-28. Northwest rallied in second half with with 21 unanswered points. Northwest had been down 16-0 in the first four minutes of the game. |
| 2011 | 7 | Away Memorial Stadium Memorial Stadium may refer to:In Canada:* Memorial Stadium , St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador; former home of the St. John's Maple LeafsIn the United Kingdom:... |
1 | Midwestern State Midwestern State University Midwestern State University is a public liberal arts college in Wichita Falls, Texas, and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges... |
38-31 | W | 2nd Round (1 OT) | Midwest was ranked #1 going into the game and was one of only 3 undefeated D2 teams. Midwest led 28-10 in the second quarter - the biggest Northwest deficit since it began its dominance in 2004. The game was played in 30 mph winds. Midwest marched to the Bearcat 9 with 10 seconds remaining. Greg Saladino shanked a potential game winning field goal throwing it into overtime. Bearcat quarterback Trevor Adams hit Kyle Kilgore on a 13-yard wheel route for the overtime's only score by either team. |
Record
| Year | Coach | W | L | T | MIAA | NCAA D2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Paul A. White | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 1916 | George Palfreyman George Palfreyman George Palfreyman was the second head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for two seasons, from 1916 until 1917. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 2 wins, 11 losses, and 0 ties... |
2 | 5 | |||
| 1917 | George Palfreyman | 0 | 7 | |||
| 1918 | M.H. Simms | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1919 | Robert Rice Robert Rice (football coach) Robert Rice was the fourth head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for two seasons, from 1919 until 1920. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 0 wins, 7 losses, and 0 ties... |
0 | 4 | |||
| 1920 | Robert Rice | 0 | 3 | |||
| 1921 | Russell Sprong Russell Sprong Russell Sprong was the fifth head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for the 1921 season. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 2 wins, 6 losses, and 0 ties... |
2 | 6 | |||
| 1922 | Eugene Maynor Eugene Maynor Eugene Maynor was the sixth head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for two seasons, from 1922 until 1923. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 7 wins, 7 losses, and 2 ties... |
4 | 4 | |||
| 1923 | H.F. Lawrence | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 1924 | H.F. Lawrence | 6 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1925 | H.F. Lawrence | 7 | 0 | 1 | X | |
| 1926 | H.F. Lawrence | 6 | 2 | |||
| 1927 | E.A. Davis | 1 | 7 | |||
| 1928 | E.A. Davis | 5 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 1929 | E.A. Davis | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1930 | E.A. Davis | 4 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1931 | E.A. Davis | 9 | 0 | X | ||
| 1932 | E.A. Davis | 4 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 1933 | E.A. Davis | 1 | 8 | |||
| 1934 | E.A. Davis | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1935 | E.A. Davis | 3 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1936 | E.A. Davis | 4 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 1937 | Ryland Milner Ryland Milner Ryland "Taffy" Milner was the ninth head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for twenty-one seasons, from 1937 until 1957. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 92 wins, 61 losses, and 13... |
2 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1938 | Ryland Milner | 9 | 0 | X | ||
| 1939 | Ryland Milner | 9 | 0 | X | ||
| 1940 | Ryland Milner | 7 | 2 | |||
| 1941 | Ryland Milner | 6 | 2 | 1 | X | |
| 1942 | Ryland Milner | 4 | 2 | 1 | X | |
| 1943 | Ryland Milner | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1944 | Ryland Milner | 7 | 0 | |||
| 1946 | Ryland Milner | 4 | 3 | |||
| 1947 | Ryland Milner | 5 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1948 | Ryland Milner | 6 | 2 | X | ||
| 1949 | Ryland Milner | 5 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 1950 | Ryland Milner | 3 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1951 | Ryland Milner | 2 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 1952 | Ryland Milner | 6 | 3 | X | ||
| 1953 | Ryland Milner | 3 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 1954 | Ryland Milner | 2 | 6 | |||
| 1955 | Ryland Milner | 2 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1956 | Ryland Milner | 2 | 7 | |||
| 1957 | Ryland Milner | 1 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 1958 | Paul Turner Paul Turner Paul Turner may refer to:* Paul Turner , Welsh rugby union footballer* Paul Turner , Welsh film director* Paul Turner , American football coach... |
0 | 8 | |||
| 1959 | Paul Turner | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1960 | Earl Baker Earl Baker Earl Baker was the 11th head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for three seasons, from 1960 until 1962. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 7 wins, 20 losses, and 0 ties... |
5 | 4 | |||
| 1961 | Earl Baker | 2 | 7 | |||
| 1962 | Earl Baker | 0 | 9 | |||
| 1963 | Ivan Schottel Ivan Schottel Ivan Estill Schottel was an American football coach in the United States.-Benedictine:Schottel was the tenth head college football coach for the Benedictine Ravens located in Atchison, Kansas. He held that position for 10 seasons, from 1953 until 1962.His coaching record at Benedictine was 52... |
3 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1964 | Ivan Schottel | 6 | 3 | |||
| 1965 | Ivan Schottel | 6 | 3 | |||
| 1966 | Ivan Schottel | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1967 | Ivan Schottel | 3 | 6 | |||
| 1968 | Ivan Schottel | 0 | 9 | |||
| 1969 | Ivan Schottel | 3 | 6 | |||
| 1971 | Gladden Dye Gladden Dye Gladden Dye was the 13th head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats located in Maryville, Missouri and he held that position for five seasons, from 1971 until 1975. His career coaching record at Northwest Missouri State was 32 wins, 17 losses, and 0 ties... |
4 | 5 | |||
| 1972 | Gladden Dye | 7 | 3 | X | ||
| 1973 | Gladden Dye | 6 | 4 | X | ||
| 1974 | Gladden Dye | 8 | 2 | |||
| 1975 | Gladden Dye | 7 | 3 | |||
| 1976 | Jim Redd | 8 | 2 | |||
| 1977 | Jim Redd | 5 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1978 | Jim Redd | 0 | 11 | |||
| 1979 | Jim Redd | 6 | 5 | X | ||
| 1980 | Jim Redd | 2 | 8 | |||
| 1981 | Jim Redd | 6 | 4 | |||
| 1982 | Jim Redd | 2 | 7 | 1 | ||
| 1983 | Vernon Thomsen | 5 | 6 | |||
| 1984 | Vernon Thomsen | 10 | 2 | X | 1st Round | |
| 1985 | Vernon Thomsen | 4 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 1986 | Vernon Thomsen | 2 | 9 | |||
| 1987 | Vernon Thomsen | 3 | 8 | |||
| 1988 | Harold "Bud" Elliott | 2 | 9 | |||
| 1989 | Harold "Bud" Elliott | 9 | 3 | 1st Round | ||
| 1990 | Harold "Bud" Elliott | 2 | 8 | 1 | ||
| 1991 | Harold "Bud" Elliott | 5 | 6 | |||
| 1992 | Harold "Bud" Elliott | 6 | 5 | |||
| 1993 | Harold "Bud" Elliott | 3 | 8 | |||
| 1994 | Mel Tjeerdsma Mel Tjeerdsma Mel Tjeerdsma is a retired American football coach. He served as the head coach at Austin College in Sherman, Texas from 1984 to 1993 and at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri from 1994 until his retirement after the 2010 season. In his 27 years as a head coach, Tjeerdsma... |
0 | 11 | |||
| 1995 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 6 | 5 | |||
| 1996 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 11 | 2 | X | Quarterfinals | |
| 1997 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 12 | 1 | X | Quarterfinals | |
| 1998 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 15 | 0 | X | Finals-Champ | |
| 1999 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 14 | 1 | X | Finals-Champ | |
| 2000 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 11 | 1 | X | 1st Round | |
| 2001 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 7 | 4 | |||
| 2002 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 12 | 1 | X | Quarterfinals | |
| 2003 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 8 | 3 | X | ||
| 2004 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 11 | 2 | Quarterfinals | ||
| 2005 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 11 | 4 | Finals-Runner Up | ||
| 2006 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 14 | 1 | X | Finals-Runner Up | |
| 2007 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 12 | 2 | X | Finals-Runner Up | |
| 2008 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 13 | 2 | X | Finals-Runner Up | |
| 2009 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 14 | 1 | X | Finals-Champ | |
| 2010 | Mel Tjeerdsma | 12 | 2 | X | Semifinals | |
| 2011 | Adam Dorrel Adam Dorrel Adam Dorrel is current head coach of the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team in Maryville, MissouriDorrel is the only Maryville native to coach the team. He graduated from Maryville High School where he was a two-time all conference and all district lineman... |
11 | 2 | Still in play in Quarterfinals on December 3 |
Coaching death
On June 5, 2011 Bearcats head coach Scott BostwickScott Bostwick
Scott Bostwick was an American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the defensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State University from 1994 to 2010 under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, during which time the Bearcats captured three NCAA Division II National Football...
died of an apparent heart attack in Maryville
Maryville, Missouri
Maryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
. The 49-year-old Bostwick had been named head coach of the Bearcats in December, 2010 following the retirement of longtime coach Mel Tjeerdsma. Bostwick had been on the Northwest coaching staff since 1994, and most recently had served as defensive coordinator under Tjeerdsma. In 2007 had been voted the American Football Coaches Association
American Football Coaches Association
The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
Division II Assistant coach of the year.
Notable players and coaches
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of the United Football League. - Jamaica RectorJamaica RectorJamaica Rector is an American and Canadian football wide receiver for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
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wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. - Mel TjeerdsmaMel TjeerdsmaMel Tjeerdsma is a retired American football coach. He served as the head coach at Austin College in Sherman, Texas from 1984 to 1993 and at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri from 1994 until his retirement after the 2010 season. In his 27 years as a head coach, Tjeerdsma...
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