The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats kept their program best 30-game winning streak alive with back-to-back national titles after a 29-3 win over North Alabama in the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship game Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.
Northwest Missouri now holds the NCAA Division II National Record for Championship Game wins with six.
On a snow covered field with sub zero wind temps, the Bearcats relied on their running game to get the job done.
Junior Randy Schmidt rushed for a game-high 96 yards. He completed five passes, one of which went for the first touchdown of the game. He also caught two passes for 25 yards and played on special teams.
“This was something we have never played in before so it took a little while to get used to,” Schmidt said. “After a while, we did a good job keeping our footing. We did a good job from there.”
“Randy is a heck of an athlete,” said junior Jordan Grove, who caught a 7-yard pass from Schmidt in the second quarter. “I got to see that a little bit in high school because we played in the Shrine Bowl together. He was my quarterback. We were both coming to Northwest together. I knew we had a special player.”
“I am not sure where to start,” Northwest coach Adam Dorrel said. “I think the last two weeks have been monumental wins in the history of Northwest Missouri State.”
In the 16 seniors’ four seasons at Northwest, they have experienced three national championships and gone 55-2.
Northwest defense allowed only 20 total yards in the second half.
Story courtesy-Bearcats Athletics
