Pitt State Gorillas, Northwest Missouri Bearcats renew football rivalry in KC
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- Pittsburg State and Northwest play in Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.
- Both teams enter ranked and fight for MIAA title and playoff seeding.
- Both teams run top MIAA rushing attacks; Northwest leads series 29-28.
The Division II football rivalry once known as the “Fall Classic” is back in the spotlight — in more ways than one.
Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State bring their annual MIAA clash to Kansas City for the first time since 2019 on Saturday afternoon.
From 2002 to 2013 — the days of the old Fall Classic — the historical powerhouse programs made Arrowhead Stadium the site of their annual showdown. This time, the game will be played at Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting Kansas City.
Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
As was the case for many of those neutral-site contests, the programs this year rank among the nation’s best. Pitt State (8-2) is No. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association poll. Northwest (9-1) is No. 12.
This marks the 25th time both teams enter the game with a national ranking.
“When you commit to play football for the Gorillas, these are exactly the type of games that you want to play in,” said Pitt State cornerback Antoine Nunn Jr., who hails from Belton.
The league title and positioning on the NCAA Division II playoff bracket are on the line. The Bearcats have clinched at least a share of the MIAA championship. The Gorillas need a victory to share a piece of the title.
In NCAA Super Region 4 rankings, Northwest is third, Pitt State fifth. The top eight teams will earn a spot in the 32-team field for the playoffs that begin on Nov 22.
“It’s incredible that the season has played out this way,” Gorillas coach Tom Anthony said. “For Pitt State and Northwest to have such a meaningful game, the last week of the regular season, is incredible for both universities.”
Both teams are rolling. Pitt State started 0-2; Northwest dropped its opener to Minnesota State ... and neither has lost since.
“We’ve been in playoff mode since Mankato,” Bearcats coach John McMenamin said. “For it to get here, it feels like another big playoff game.”
Pitt and Northwest boast the MIAA’s top rushing offenses. Pitt State’s Zahmari Palode-Gary, who played at Raytown High, leads the MIAA in rushing at 82.2 yards per game.
The Bearcats average 247.9 rushing yards per game with four players -- Quincy Torry (Lee’s Summit West), Zechariah Owens, Dominic Myers (Fort Osage) and Te’Shaun Porter -- over 300 yards this season.
“We’re excited, we’re ready to play,” Myers said. “We aren’t switching anything up.”
Northwest has defeated its previous four opponents by a 36-6 average score. Over its previous five games, Pitt State has trailed for a total of 2:21.
Pitt State has won three straight in a series that Northwest leads 29-28. The Bearcats have won a nation’s best eight straight games on neutral fields.
“There is so much history between these two schools,” Anthony said. “It’s a rivalry built on success and respect.
“Both programs have seen so many great players and coaches participate in these games. That is what makes this game so special.”