UCM and NW meet for the first time at Arrowhead this October.  (photo/Andrew Mather, matherphotos.com)

UCM and NW meet for the first time at Arrowhead this October. (photo/Andrew Mather, matherphotos.com)

Northwest Missouri State and Central Missouri will play their Saturday, Oct. 1, football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.  The Bearcats have not played at Arrowhead since the 2013 season, and it will be the first appearance for Central Missouri. Game time has been set for 5 p.m. to coordinate with the Kansas City Royals home game scheduled for that afternoon at 3:15 p.m.

“I want to thank our University leadership and the Kansas City Chiefs for their hard work to provide our football program with this opportunity,” head football coach Adam Dorrel said. “So many things go into this process, and the result is an incredible showcase for our fans and supporters in one of the top outdoor football venues in the United States. Kansas City has always been such a great base for our program, and our track record of success and record-setting crowds speak for themselves. It’s the area of our largest alumni base and as we saw during last year’s national championship game, Bearcat Nation out in full force is an amazing sight.”

“”We are very excited about the opportunity to play the defending national champions in Arrowhead Stadium, one of the best venues in the NFL,” head coach Jim Svoboda said. “With both schools having a large alumni presence in the Kansas City area we hope to attract a great crowd to showcase the tremendous athletes in Division II and the MIAA. I’d like to thank Mel Tjeerdsma and the Chiefs for making this event happen.”

Arrowhead Stadium played host to 12 annual meetings between the Bearcats and the Pittsburg State Gorillas. Northwest is 9-3 all time at Arrowhead.