Northwest Missouri State defensive end Matt Longacre was named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week on Monday, in an announcement made by the league office. Longacre and the Bearcats defeated Emporia State on Saturday at Welch Stadium, 48-21. This is the second honor for Longacre, who garnered the same award on Sept. 30, following a win over Nebraska-Kearney.

Longacre, a native of Omaha, Neb., had 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss on the day. As a whole, Northwest’s defense held Emporia State to just 51 rushing yards, 260 total yards and 21 points.

The win guarantees the Bearcats a share of the MIAA title, the 25th in the program’s history. It also marks the 17th time Northwest has won 10 or moregames in a season.

The MIAA also announced on Sunday that the regular season finale at Missouri Western on Saturday, Nov. 16, has officially been picked up as the TV Game of the Week, and that kickoff has been moved to 2:37 p.m. at Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo.

— Northwest Sports Information —