NW Missouri State wins, advances to Division II championship
MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) - Cameron Wilcox rushed for two touchdowns, Jonathan Baker threw for 139 yards and a score and top-seeded and defending champion Northwest Missouri State defeated Ferris State (Michigan) 35-20 on Saturday to reach the NCAA Division II title game.
As Ferris State's team left the field, hundreds of Northwest Missouri State fans rushed the field to join the players in tearing down the goalposts.
The Bearcats will defend their title against No. 3 North Alabama (11-1) at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Dec. 17.
Saturday's game was Northwest Missouri State's closest this season. Prior to Saturday's contest, the Bearcats had won every game by at least 21 points.
Leading 28-20, Northwest Missouri State (14-0) running back Phil Jackson darted into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown run to virtually seal the outcome with just under five minutes remaining.
The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, the Bulldogs (12-3) scoring on Davontae Harrington's 10-yard sweep to get within a point before the Bearcats replied on Wilcox's 1-yard run with four seconds left in the quarter.
Northwest Missouri State scored the only points of the first quarter on a 4-yard run by Randy Schmidt.
But the Bearcats then lost fumbles on consecutive possessions, allowing Ferris State to take a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Trevor Bermingham and Bermingham's 4-yard pass to Kyle Thompson. Northwest Missouri State hadn't trailed in a game since Oct. 15 against Northeastern Missouri State.
The Bearcats struck back on Baker's 19-yard pass to Shane Williams and a 2-yard run by Wilcox to go into the half leading 21-13.
GOING STREAKING
Northwest Missouri State has won 29 straight games, marking the longest active win streak in all of NCAA football.
INJURY REPORT
Northwest Missouri State starting wide receiver George Sehl left the game early after getting roughed up in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Bearcats second-string cornerback Marcus Jones was carried off the field due to an apparent leg injury. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, starting defensive end Collin Bevins took a hard hit and needed training staff to assist him off the field.
Ferris State starting wide receiver Dre Washington took a hard hit near the beginning of the fourth quarter and needed assistance leaving the field.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Northwest Missouri State's head coach Adam Dorrel's great-grandfather was a fullback on the first Bearcats football team back in 1908. Known then as the "Fifth District Normal School," the team posted a record of 3-2-1. Dorrel's grandfather and great uncle also played for the school in the 1940s.