Northwest Missouri State senior quarterback Trevor Adams was named the MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week in an announcement made by the league office on Monday.Adams helped lead the No. 2 ranked Bearcats to a 52-21 victory over then-No. 8 Washburn on Saturday.

Against the Ichabods, Adams put together one of his most complete performances of the season. The Odessa, Texas, native completed 23-of-27 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with nine different receivers on the day as Northwest moved to 9-0 on the season. His 85.1 completion percentage was the fourth highest single-game mark in Bearcat history. It was also the fourth time Adams has thrown for over 300 yards in his career.

Adams becomes the third Northwest player to earn weekly honors from the MIAA this season. Brandon Dixon (Week 1) and Matt Longacre (Week 4) were both earned defensive awards this season.

Northwest will play at undefeated Emporia State on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Welch Stadium.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Senior Dillon Starzl and sophomore Conner Crooker led the Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team to a 95-57 victory over Graceland in an exhibition game on Sunday at Bearcat Arena.

Starzl had a game-high 21 points to start out his fourth season for the Bearcats, only four points behind his career high of 25 points. Crooker started and had 18points. He scored a career high of 24 points last season against Northeastern State.

Grant Cozad tacked on twelve points for the Bearcats. DeShaun Cooper, who sat outwith a medial redshirt last season, returned Sunday and added seven points for Northwest.

Four new faces, Justin Pitts, Zach Schneider, Brett Dougherty and Jordan Ashton hit the hardwood to add a cumulative 23 points, Schneider with nine of them.

The men’s basketball team opens the 2013-14 regular season against Upper Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Marshall, Minn. Northwest will play host Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday, Nov. 10.

— Northwest Sports Information —

The Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball team dropped an exhibition game against division I opponent Illinois State Sunday 55-50.

With four lead changes in the first half, the Bearcats showed up ready to play for their final tune up before the regular season begins Nov. 9.

Meridee Scott led Northwest in scoring for the first half with seven points while Ariel Easton pulled down five rebounds and added four points of her own.

The Bearcats held a slim 9-8 lead in the middle of the first half before the Redbird’s went on a 9-0 run to pull ahead. ISU led at the half 30-23.

The second half was a hard fought battle that came down to the final few minutes of the contest.

Shelby Mustain had a huge block on defense which turned into a layup by Ashleigh Nelson to tie the game at 46-46 with 4:29 left to play in regulation.

The Redbird’s outscored the Bearcats in the final three minutes of the game 10-4 as Northwest fell 55-50.

Nelson led all players in scoring with 17 points as she added two assists and four rebounds to her totals.

Mustain made her presence felt on the boards as she grabbed eight rebounds while blocking two shots in the paint.

Northwest tips off the regular season Nov. 9 as they take on Quincy University in Quincy, Ill with the game to set to start at 6 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State senior quarterback Trevor Adams put up superstar numbers Saturday in the Bearcats’ 52-21 victory over previously unbeaten Washburn.

Adams completed 23 of 27 passes for 306 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

His performance was one reason why No. 2 Northwest improved to 9-0 overall and 8-0 in the MIAA.

But the main reason why the Bearcats are having a special season is because they are a collective unit pulling in the same direction, striving for the same goals.

The performance Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Stadium was a fitting way for the entire team to celebrate the seniors on their day.

“It was pretty special because all week we just been preparing for a tough game,” said senior wide receiver Clint Utter, who caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. “They are always a tough team for us.

“I feel like everybody was really psyched and ready to come out and play. It really showed because we got ahead early. The defense played great. The offense kept moving. We are right where we need to be right now.”

Playing your last regular season home game is emotional for seniors. They can’t help but reflect on all the moments that led them to this day.

It started well for Northwest. Back-up sophomore Brady Bolles put the Bearcats on the scoreboard first with a 3-yard run with 5 minutes, 14 seconds left in the first quarter.

Northwest solidified its lead with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Adams tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to junior Bryce Young.

As well as the offense was playing, the defense was just as good in the first half. The Bearcats picked off three passes in the first two quarters.

Those turnovers helped Northwest build a 28-0 lead before Washburn found any kind of offensive rhythm.

Northwest went into halftime with a comfortable 35-14 lead.

In the second half, the Bearcats kept forcing turnovers. Sophomore nose guard Brandon Yost recovered a fumble, recorded a pair of sacks and had an interception on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage.

“Honestly, we played as hard as we did all season,” said Yost, who talked about his teammates instead of first mentioning his interception. “This game is just like any other game. We are going to give it our best. Halfway through the second quarter we let up and we can’t do that.”

Yost echoed the words of the seniors, which shows their leadership has rubbed off on the underclassmen.

Still, Yost’s interception was memorable. It is not often a nose guard gets an interception. Yost came up with a great line for his pick.

“The coaches always make fun of me. They think I see a hamburger coming towards me.”

The only touchdown Northwest surrendered in the second half was a 98-yard kickoff return by Jaime Myers early in the fourth quarter.

That was the only true miscue for the Bearcats in a game that had a Hollywood ending about 10 minutes after the clock struck 0:00.

Senior running back Billy Creason, who rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, got down on his knees and purposed to his girlfriend, Sydney Borowski. Creason planned it out.

“DJ Gnader came out and said he had a special announcement and he pulled her up and then I popped in behind her. DJ said, ‘I think he has a question for you.’

“Oh man, yes I was nervous. I almost couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. I got all choked up.”

Undoubtedly, Creason will hear a joke or two from his teammates.

“I saw it,” Utter said. “It was awesome. Congratulations to him. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”

Creason was probably more nervous in that moment than at any time during the game. Borowski said yes, making it an afternoon that Creason will always remember.

Actually, it was a day that all the seniors will recall fondly. They once again played as a team and came away with an impressive victory.

“They are great role models,” Yost said. “They set the tone at practice. I wouldn’t want any other group of guys out there leading us.”

— Northwest Sports Information —