NWMSU's Xavier Omon: 37 carries, 309 rushing yards!

[Reaper16]

EDIT: Just got word... Northwest will play host to the national semifinal next week against the dreaded Grand Valley State University. 8:00 pm, under the lights at Bearcat Stadium!




Original post: NWMSU's Xavier Omon: 37 carries, 309 rushing yards and 3 TD's as Northwest beats Chadron State College in Chadron, NE 26-13 (a late TD in super-prevent mode makes the score look closer than it was).

Chadron's infamous Danny Woodhead had 91 yards, but 50 of those coming off of a single run. Omon's longest was 37.

That was a seriously stellar RB performance by Omon. Tremendous numbers.

It remains to be seen whether next week's national semifinal between Northwest and 2-time defending champion/victor over NW will be in Maryville or Allendale, MI.

[Reaper16]

Bearcats rush to semifinals
The Kansas City Star

For the third straight season, Northwest Missouri State will be in the NCAA Division II football semifinals.

Behind a big day from running back Xavier Omon, the Bearcats defeated Chadron State (Neb.) 26-13 in the Southwest Regional Final on Saturday in Chadron, Neb.

Omon ran for 309 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries in leading the Bearcats, 11-1, to a semifinal matchup with Grand Valley State (Mich.). The Bearcats will play host to Grand Valley State at 8 p.m. Saturday at Bearcat Field. The game will be televised on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.

The last two seasons, Northwest Missouri and Grand Valley have met in the Division II playoffs. Grand Valley has won both games.

Behind 204 yards from Omon in the first half, Northwest Missouri jumped out to a 19-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Bearcats scored on the second play of the game when Omon reached the end zone on a 34-yard run. Omon also scored on runs of 3 and 4 yards. His 309 yards broke a school record that has stood for more than 30 years. It was the fourth time this season that Omon has surpassed 200 yards rushing.

“It got to me in the fourth quarter the effort that kid put on the field today,” Northwest Missouri coach Mel Tjeerdsma said of Omon’s performance. “I mean it was amazing, it was just absolutely amazing.”

While the Bearcats offense was solid on the ground, Northwest Missouri’s defense had just as big of a day.

Northwest Missouri held Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead to 91 yards on 21 carries. He had just 10 yards on his first 10 carries. Woodhead was the 2006 winner of the Harlon Hill Award, given to Division II’s top player each year.

Northwest Missouri’s defense also forced five turnovers. Twice the Bearcats intercepted passes after Chadron State had drove inside the Northwest Missouri 25.

The Bearcats led 26-7 until Chadron State, 12-1, scored in the final 2 minutes of the game.

| Cole Young, ceyoung@kcstar.com

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Let's hope, anyway.

This will be the hardest game of the year for the Bearcats, by far.

I think it's payback. That big white QB that hurt us last year isn't playing anymore, so we got hope lol.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Vanilla Thunder

I think it's payback. That big white QB that hurt us last year isn't playing anymore, so we got hope lol.

Iciek, their current QB, is a better, more accurate passer than Finnerty was, by far. The pass D is gong to have to be air-tight on Saturday. Which means Iciek is going to need to feel the pressure. GV's oline is probably the best that NW will have seen all year.

This is going to be a tough, tough, tough game, imo. I think Grand Valley is better this year than they were last year. NW is going to have to play flawlessly -- that means no turnovers and especially no stupid penalties.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Grand Valley is basically a I-AA school playing D2 football.

So is Northwest.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Coach

So is Northwest.

Not at all. He was talking about the number of students enrolled at each school.

Northwest: apprx 7,000 students

Grand Valley: apprx 22,000 students.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2!

ESPN2 in Maryville! This is awesome.

Has this game been played yet?

[siberian khatru]

Was he playing the Chiefs?

[Skip Towne]

Originally Posted by Frankie

Has this game been played yet?

Its halftime.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Not at all. He was talking about the number of students enrolled at each school.

Northwest: apprx 7,000 students

Grand Valley: apprx 22,000 students.

I wasn't talking about enrollment. I was talking about the talent displayed on the field.

To beat 3 12-0 teams in a row, pretty much tells you who they are.

And if they win it today, crown their asses.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Its halftime.

The game he's talking about, in Maryville vs. Grand Valley State, was played last week.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

The game he's talking about, in Maryville vs. Grand Valley State, was played last week.

I was curious enough by this thread to watch it. I guess I forgot about it though. So how did this Omon guy do?

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Frankie

I was curious enough by this thread to watch it. I guess I forgot about it though. So how did this Omon guy do?

He had another 300 yard game... 98 of them on one play.

They are on ESPN2 right now vs. Valdosta State... Omon hasn't had a real good game so far, but he's always one play away...