2009 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team

2009 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football
NCAA Division II champion
MIAA champion
ConferenceMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
Ranking
AFCANo. 1
Record14–1 (9–0 MIAA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorAdam Dorrel (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorScott Bostwick (16th season)
Home stadiumBearcat Stadium
Seasons
← 2008
2010 →
2009 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 1 NW Missouri State $^   9 – 0     14 – 1  
Missouri Western #   6 – 3     9 – 3  
Central Missouri   6 – 3     8 – 3  
No. 25 Washburn   6 – 3     8 – 3  
Nebraska–Omaha #   6 – 3     7 – 5  
Fort Hays State   4 – 5     6 – 5  
Pittsburg State   3 – 6     5 – 6  
Missouri Southern   3 – 6     3 – 7  
Emporia State   1 – 8     2 – 9  
Truman   1 – 8     2 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – bowl game participant (Missouri Western - Mineral Water Bowl, Nebraska-Omaha - Kanza Bowl)
Rankings from AFCA Poll

The 2009 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team was an American football team that won the 2009 NCAA Division II national championship.

The team represented Northwest Missouri State University in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) during the 2009 NCAA Division II football season. In their 16th season under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, the Bearcats compiled a 14–1 record (9–0 against conference opponents) and won the MIAA championship. The team lost the season opener to Abilene Christian and then won 14 consecutive games. The 2009 Bearcats averaged 42 points and 632 yards of offense per game.[1]

The team advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs and won the national championship by defeating Grand Valley State, 30–23, in the championship game.[2]

The Bearcats' statistical leaders included LaRon Council with 1,819 rushing yards, Blake Bolles with 4,146 passing yards, Jake Soy with 1,559 receiving yards and 162 points scored.[3]

The team played its home games at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Missouri.

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 27at No. 5 Abilene Christian*No. 2
L 14–1911,322[4]
September 3at Southwest Baptist*No. 8
W 49–142,953[5]
September 12vs. No. 4 Pittsburg StateNo. 7
W 30–1020,813[6]
September 19Nebraska–OmahaNo. 6
W 37–278,820[7]
September 26TrumanNo. 6
  • Bearcat Stadium
  • Maryville, MO (rivalry)
W 70–05,678
October 3at No. 12 Missouri WesternNo. 6
W 49–3510,129
October 10Missouri SouthernNo. 6
  • Bearcat Stadium
  • Maryville, MO
W 52–64,872
October 17at Emporia StateNo. 5
W 45–122,835
October 24 No. 16 WashburnNo. 4
  • Bearcat Stadium
  • Maryville, MO
W 22–198,704
October 31at Fort Hays StateNo. 3
W 66–402,527
November 7 No. 16 Central MissouriNo. 3
  • Bearcat Stadium
  • Maryville, MO
W 56–146,643
November 21 No. 18 Abilene Christian*No. 2
W 35–105,893
November 28at No. 1 Central Washington*No. 2
W 21–205,625
December 5 No. 22 California (PA)*No. 2
  • Bearcat Stadium
  • Maryville, MO (NCAA Division II semifinal)
W 56–317,122
December 12vs. No. 3 Grand Valley State*No. 2
W 30–236,211[2]

References

  1. ^ "2009 Football Cumulative Statistics". Bearcat Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Scott Pummell (December 13, 2009). "Five times worth the wait". St. Joseph News-Press. pp. C1, C8 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "2009 Northwest Missouri State Football Statistics". Bearcat Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "# 2 NW Missouri State vs # 5 Abilene Christian". Bearcat Sports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "# 8 NW Missouri State v- Southwest Baptist". Bearcat Sports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "# 7 NW Missouri State vs # 4 Pittsburg State". Bearcat Sports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Nebraska-Omaha vs #6 NW Missouri State". Bearcat Sports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2021.