(Maryville, MO) — NW Missouri St. has qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs and travels to Searcy, Arkansas to play the #1 seed in their region, undefeated Harding.
Head Coach John McMenamin has gotten the Bearcats into the playoffs in his first season and he has done it while using two different quarterbacks. Transfer Mason Shorb had success at Navarro College but got hurt early in the season so McMenamin had turn elsewhere. Senior Chris Ruhnke has thrown for 1,617 yards, 14 TD and 7 INT and Freshman Zechariah Owens has thrown for 705 yards and run for 543 yards. They rotated in a downpour in a week one win over Mankato and even though they have two different styles, McMenamin says it works
On defense, Nose Guard Clayton Power was named the Lineman of the Year in the Mid America Intercollegiate Athletic Association — the Senior from Stillwell, Kansas has 36 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks. Waiting in the wings on the defensive line is Freshman Trent Warner from Nodaway Valley who has not played yet this year but McMenamin says he will get his chance
Harding will present a tough challenge — the Bisons have two one thousand yard rushers in 225 pound Junior Andrew Miller (1,363 yards, 19 TD) and Speedster Senior Brayden Jay (1,043 yards, 16 TD). McMenamin says they can wear down defenses
#14 NW Missouri St. (9-2) visits #2 Harding (11-0) on Saturday, kickoff is at 1 pm.
Complete Interview with Head Coach John McMenamin
