Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 9, 2007 10:20:07 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/396152.html
Northwest Missouri State advances to NCAA Division II title game
By DAVID BOYCE
The Kansas City Star
MARYVILLE, Mo. | Northwest Missouri knew it needed something special to knock off two-time defending NCAA Division II champion Grand Valley State.
Senior running back Xavier Omon delivered as the Bearcats snapped Grand Valley’s 40-game winning streak with a 34-16 victory Saturday evening in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.
Northwest Missouri, 12-1, is headed back to Florence, Ala., for the third straight time and will face Valdosta State, 12-1, in the Division II title game. The game is at 11 a.m. next Saturday.
The 7,296 fans who braved 17-degree weather at Bearcat Stadium witnessed a truly extraordinary performance.
It seemed almost impossible for Omon to top last week’s 309 yards against Chadron State. But he absolutely topped it considering the opponent, the stakes and the cold weather.
He finished with 292 yards and became the all-time leading rusher in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. He now has 7,010 yards, passing Pittsburg State’s Germaine Race at 6,985 and Emporia State’s Brian Shay at 6,958.
Amazingly, Omon got his first touchdown reception of the season with 11 minutes, 5 seconds left in the game. His 11-yard score off a screen pass gave Northwest Missouri a 27-16 lead.
It was Omon’s third touchdown of the game, and the best was yet to come.
The moment came less than 2 minutes later when Grand Valley pinned the Bearcats on the 2-yard line.
Omon not only changed field position, he bolted through the middle and never stopped until he reached the end zone for a 98-yard touchdown run.
That carry gave Northwest Missouri a 34-16 lead as Omon went over 240 yards for the game.
Simply put, Omon stood out in a game that had other stars for Northwest Missouri. Junior quarterback Joel Osborn was nearly flawless, completing important passes all game.
And the Bearcats’ defense came up with a game-changing play early in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Terry Bilbro pressured quarterback Brad Iciek into throwing a hurried pass over the middle.
Cornerback Ryan Jones was there to intercept the ball and then returned it 50 yards to Grand Valley’s 15 with Northwest Missouri leading 20-16.
Omon did the rest.
The second-half domination by the Bearcats started midway through the third quarter.
Omon put Northwest Missouri ahead with 8:55 left in the third quarter on an 8-yard touchdown run, giving the Bearcats a 17-13 lead.
Like they did in the second quarter, Grand Valley responded to the Bearcats’ touchdown with a 32-yard field goal by Justin Trumble that made it 17-16.
The cold weather didn’t seem to bother either team on offense. In fact, Osborn was nearly perfect, completing 13 of 16 passes for 154 yards in the first half.
Iciek, a sophomore, was just a little better and that’s why the Lakers went into halftime with a slim 13-10 lead.
Every time Grand Valley needed a big play on third and long, Iciek delivered, throwing for 188 yards.
Grand Valley struck first, putting together a 14-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Trumble.
After missing points on two scoring opportunities, Northwest Missouri finally got on the scoreboard early, thanks to an amazing 33-yard touchdown run by Omon.
On the play, Omon broke through the middle, made a couple of cuts and raced into the right side of the end zone.
Grand Valley immediately drove the ball downfield, but had to settle for another field goal.
The Lakers went back in front with 1:20 left in the second quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Iciek to James Berezik.
But the Bearcats didn’t allow Grand Valley to go into halftime with all the momentum.
Northwest Missouri went 59 yards in nine plays and scored on a 30-yard field goal by Tommy Frevert with 4 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Northwest Missouri State advances to NCAA Division II title game
By DAVID BOYCE
The Kansas City Star
MARYVILLE, Mo. | Northwest Missouri knew it needed something special to knock off two-time defending NCAA Division II champion Grand Valley State.
Senior running back Xavier Omon delivered as the Bearcats snapped Grand Valley’s 40-game winning streak with a 34-16 victory Saturday evening in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs.
Northwest Missouri, 12-1, is headed back to Florence, Ala., for the third straight time and will face Valdosta State, 12-1, in the Division II title game. The game is at 11 a.m. next Saturday.
The 7,296 fans who braved 17-degree weather at Bearcat Stadium witnessed a truly extraordinary performance.
It seemed almost impossible for Omon to top last week’s 309 yards against Chadron State. But he absolutely topped it considering the opponent, the stakes and the cold weather.
He finished with 292 yards and became the all-time leading rusher in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. He now has 7,010 yards, passing Pittsburg State’s Germaine Race at 6,985 and Emporia State’s Brian Shay at 6,958.
Amazingly, Omon got his first touchdown reception of the season with 11 minutes, 5 seconds left in the game. His 11-yard score off a screen pass gave Northwest Missouri a 27-16 lead.
It was Omon’s third touchdown of the game, and the best was yet to come.
The moment came less than 2 minutes later when Grand Valley pinned the Bearcats on the 2-yard line.
Omon not only changed field position, he bolted through the middle and never stopped until he reached the end zone for a 98-yard touchdown run.
That carry gave Northwest Missouri a 34-16 lead as Omon went over 240 yards for the game.
Simply put, Omon stood out in a game that had other stars for Northwest Missouri. Junior quarterback Joel Osborn was nearly flawless, completing important passes all game.
And the Bearcats’ defense came up with a game-changing play early in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Terry Bilbro pressured quarterback Brad Iciek into throwing a hurried pass over the middle.
Cornerback Ryan Jones was there to intercept the ball and then returned it 50 yards to Grand Valley’s 15 with Northwest Missouri leading 20-16.
Omon did the rest.
The second-half domination by the Bearcats started midway through the third quarter.
Omon put Northwest Missouri ahead with 8:55 left in the third quarter on an 8-yard touchdown run, giving the Bearcats a 17-13 lead.
Like they did in the second quarter, Grand Valley responded to the Bearcats’ touchdown with a 32-yard field goal by Justin Trumble that made it 17-16.
The cold weather didn’t seem to bother either team on offense. In fact, Osborn was nearly perfect, completing 13 of 16 passes for 154 yards in the first half.
Iciek, a sophomore, was just a little better and that’s why the Lakers went into halftime with a slim 13-10 lead.
Every time Grand Valley needed a big play on third and long, Iciek delivered, throwing for 188 yards.
Grand Valley struck first, putting together a 14-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Trumble.
After missing points on two scoring opportunities, Northwest Missouri finally got on the scoreboard early, thanks to an amazing 33-yard touchdown run by Omon.
On the play, Omon broke through the middle, made a couple of cuts and raced into the right side of the end zone.
Grand Valley immediately drove the ball downfield, but had to settle for another field goal.
The Lakers went back in front with 1:20 left in the second quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Iciek to James Berezik.
But the Bearcats didn’t allow Grand Valley to go into halftime with all the momentum.
Northwest Missouri went 59 yards in nine plays and scored on a 30-yard field goal by Tommy Frevert with 4 seconds remaining in the second quarter.