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News Brief

July 28, 2025KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Northwest picked middle of the pack in MIAA preseason rankings

Northwest was selected sixth in the coaches rankings and fifth by the media.

Northwest was selected sixth in the coaches rankings and fifth by the media.

 

Expectations for football teams around the MIAA are officially set. Now, for teams like Northwest Missouri State, it's about proving the preseason picks wrong.

The conference held its annual media day on the Emporia State University campus in Emporia, KS on Monday, which included the release of the league's preseason rankings. Northwest was picked to finish sixth in the MIAA's coaches poll and fifth in the conference media rankings.

𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃‼️ The 2025 MIAA football preseason coaches and media polls just dropped. The Bronchos and Gorillas are...

Posted by MIAA on Monday, July 28, 2025

"I love it," Northwest senior wide receiver Luke Mathews said. "I want everybody to doubt us. When we go out there and dominate our opponents, it will make it look that much better."

A program that once made 18 consecutive trips to the NCAA Division 2 Playoffs are now looking up at Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State, the two teams picked in the top two by the coaches and media. But a new age of Northwest football begins this fall with plans of restoring a proud tradition.

Former First Team All-MIAA quarterback and Bearcat alumnus John McMenamin was hired as the 21st head coach in program history in December. He put his staff in place and went to work in the spring to establish the standard he expects out of his players.

They got the message.

Upperclassmen stepped up to take charge of player-led workouts through the summer, and 110 players remained in Maryville to build tighter bonds.

"If you love each other, you'll do whatever you can," McMenamin said. "This group really does (love each other). They really mean it."

That's camaraderie McMenamin believes will be reflected on the field this fall.

"You look at those returning starters (on defense), I stood in front of the team and said 'do you doubt any of these guys would do anything they can to win for you guys?' It's a no-brainer. These guys, the Shane Fredrickson's of the world, the Parker Bowens, Clayton Powers, Nile (Schuett), Carter Edwards – put those up against anybody in the conference. If you have those pillars, the rest will fall in line."

Northwest Missouri State football begins fall practice on August 4th. The first game follows just over three weeks later on August 28 at Minnesota State.

2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [7] – 78 points
2. Pittsburg State [3] – 75 points
3. Fort Hays State – 62 points
4. Central Missouri – 57 points
5. Emporia State – 50 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 41 points
7. Missouri Western – 29 points
8. Nebraska Kearney – 28 points
9. Washburn – 21 points
10. Missouri Southern – 9 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes
 
2025 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Pittsburg State [13] – 310 points
2. Central Oklahoma [18] – 307 points
3. Fort Hays State [2] – 271 points
4. Central Missouri [1] – 239 points
5. Northwest Missouri – 215 points
6. Emporia State – 167 points
7. Nebraska Kearney – 120 points
8. Missouri Western – 107 points
9. Washburn – 88 points
10. Missouri Southern – 46 points
[#] - Number of First Place Votes