#2 NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN a row, Northwest Missouri State made it to the championship game in Florence, Alabama. For the second year in a row, the Bearcats fought hard but lost another heartbreaker to defending national champion Grand Valley State. The 2006 campaign was highlighted by an undefeated regular season, the schools 20th MIAA title and a run through the playoffs. Head Coach Mel Tjeerdsma was named MIAA and AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year. Coach Tjeerdsma will lead his Bearcats for the 14th season and has several key players returning for the upcoming year. Recently picked to repeat as MIAA Champions, NWMSU will be led on the field by returning All-MIAA quarterback Josh Mathews. Harlon Hill Regional Finalist and All-American tailback Xavier Omon also returns along with All-Americans Mike Peterson (TE) and Reid Kirby (OL). Omon is Northwest’s all-time leading rusher with 4,736 yards. His 60 total touchdowns are also a program high. NWMSU opens the season this Thursday against GSC member Arkansas Tech before battling highly ranked Nebraska-Omaha of the NCC. A full slate of MIAA schools follow highlighted with home games against Truman State, Southwest Baptist, Central Missouri, Washburn and Missouri Southern. The most anticipated game of the regular season will be the Fall Classic at Arrowhead Stadium against archrival Pittsburg State.