The 2016 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team represented Northwest Missouri State University as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Adam Dorrel, the Bearcats compiled an overall record of 15–0 with a mark of 11–0 in conference play, winning the MIAA title. They won the program's sixth NCAA Division II Football Championship with a win over North Alabama in the NCAA Division II Championship Game.
The Bearcats played their home games on the newly-renovated Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Missouri. 2016 was the 100th season in school history.
Schedule
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.
Game summaries Regular season Emporia State
Washburn
Nebraska–Kearney
Missouri Southern
Central Missouri
Central Oklahoma
Northeastern State
Lindenwood
Pittsburg State
Fort Hays State
Missouri Western
With their win over Missouri Western, the Bearcats clinched their fourth straight conference title.
Postseason 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.
Harding
Ferris State
Personnel Coaching staff Along with Dorrel, there are 12 assistants. Adam Dorrel Head coach 6 Northwest Missouri State (1998) Rich Wright Assist. Head Coach – Defensive Coordinator 6 Dana College (1995) Charlie Flohr Assist. Head Coach – Offensive Coordinator 11 Dakota State (2002) Joel Osborn Assist. Head Coach – WR/Recruiting Coordinator 6 Northwest Missouri State (2009) Chad Bostwick Assist. Head Coach – Linebackers 6 Northwest Missouri State (2005) Brandon Clayton Assist. Head Coach – Defensive backs 2 Northwest Missouri State (2009) Ryan Gent Assist. Head Coach – Tight Ends/Running backs 3 Iowa State (2013) Ross Sharp Director of player personnel 3 Northwest Missouri State (2014) Scott Reilly Graduate Assistant – Offensive Line 3 Northwest Missouri State (2016) Andrew Pitts Graduate Assistant – Defensive Backs 1 Northwest Missouri State (2016) Justin Mulloy Graduate Assistant – Quarterbacks 1 Minnesota (2014) Brock Sherman Graduate Assistant – Defensive Line 1 Northwest Missouri State (2016) Tucker Peve Football Equipment Manager 4 Northwest Missouri State (2017) Reference:
Roster
References