Coaches No. 1 | 2016 record 15–0 (10–0 MIAA) Defensive coordinator Rich Wright (6th year) | |
Offensive coordinator Charlie Flohr (5th year) | ||
The 2016 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team represents Northwest Missouri State University in the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. The Bearcats play their home games on the newly renovated Mel Tjeerdsma Field in Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Missouri, as they have done since 1917. 2016 is the 100th season in school history. The Bearcats are led by sixth-year head coach, Adam Dorrel. Northwest Missouri State is a charter member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, joining in 1924.
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Preseason
The Bearcats entered the 2016 season as the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, after finishing the 2015 season with a 15–0 record overall and in conference play. On August 2, 2016 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Bearcats were chosen to finish in 1st place in both the Coaches Poll and in the Media Poll.
Sporting News released their Top-25 on May 25, 2016, landing Northwest Missouri State at #1. On June 15, 2016, Lindy's NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 released its poll ranking Northwest Missouri State at #1.
On August 15, the American Football Coaches Association released the Preseason Division II Poll, landing Northwest Missouri State at #1.
On August 22, D2football.com released its Top 25 poll, ranking Northwest Missouri State 1st.
Coaching staff
Along with Dorrel, there are 12 assistants.
Schedule
Source:
Missouri Western
With their win over Missouri Western, the Bearcats clinched their fourth straight conference title.
Emporia State
Entering postseason as the No. 1 team, the Bearcats earn a bye during the first week of playoffs and will play the winner of the Emporia State and Minnesota–Duluth game.