Mavs mount brilliant comeback in 25-21 thriller over No. 2 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats

The Maverick football team and the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State clashed in a highly ranked Division II rivalry game Saturday night. Early in the contest, the Mavericks caught a glimpse of dj… vu. Squandering several scoring opportunities in the first half, much like last year's contest, the Mavs trailed 21-6 at the break. However, the new season brought with it a friendlier setting under the lights of Caniglia Field. The Mavericks maintained brilliant composure in front of the estimated 10,300 fans in attendance. With the Bearcats still cruising at 21-6 in the fourth quarter, the Mavs proceeded to blow the doors wide open en route to a miraculous 25-21 come-from-behind victory over the second-ranked D-II team in the country.

"Any time we can beat those guys it feels good," said junior linebacker Jacob Chandler. "We're going to be in their league next year too, which is cool. They're a great team for sure."

Chandler's referring to the move that the Mavericks will make in 2008 from the diminishing NCC into the MIAA, which is the conference that the Bearcats currently reside in.

The Mavericks, seeking the redemption of a 31-0 lashing in 2006 to the Bearcats, knew coming in the caliber of the defense they were up against. Last year's finish in particular was a result of the missed opportunities in the red zone. This year the Mavericks made right on their promise to take advantage of the opportunities when presented.

"We didn't come out ready, but we stayed calm," said junior quarterback Zach Miller. "They came out in the first half and smacked us right in the mouth, but we kept our poise, came out and turned it around in the second half. And the defense came up big for us."

Miller also talked about his team's red zone opportunities Saturday night.

"Down 21-6, we needed points. Field goals are good, and we moved the ball well, but we needed to match their scoring," Miller said. "To be the best you have to beat the best. They're one of the best."

Miller had an outstanding performance, completing 14 of his 25 passes for 246 yards, along with one touchdown and no interceptions. Miller also rushed 15 times for 76 yards and ran in the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter.

To help guide the offense Saturday night in its path to the red zone was a very productive group of receivers. Junior wide receiver Troy Kush led all receivers with six catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. One of the keys to victory was a 58-yard catch made by junior wide receiver David Carey late in the fourth quarter, which set up the eventual winning score.

"As receivers, we talk about making the most of our opportunities," said Carey. "We just kept plugging away, and we took the opportunities that were given to us."

Carey finished with three catches for 81 yards; none bigger than the 58-yarder that helped seal the victory over the visiting Bearcats.

With the injury early in the season to senior Nate Wurth, the running attack once again fell on the broad shoulders of junior tailback Brian McNeill. Just as he did last week, McNeil responded in a huge way. Coming off of a 176 yard and 2 TD performance against UNK, McNeil continued to showcase his speed, elusiveness and humbleness in the victory against the Bearcats.

"Really the offensive line is what it was and the adjustments they made throughout the game," said McNeill of his run production. "They played great. I love those guys. And without the wide receivers making blocks down field we could never have had those big plays."

McNeill, a truly humble young man, turned in another dazzling performance. McNeil turned in 27 carries for 143 yards, which included a 54-yard safety-splitting TD run up the middle in the fourth quarter.

The Northwest Missouri State defense was well prepared for the shifty tailback early in the contest, holding him to just 54 yards in the first half. The speedy Bearcat linebackers, led by sophomore Jared Erspamer, did well in containing the ground game until the fourth quarter, when they finally began to lose their steam.

The Maverick defense, putting forth a dominant second-half effort, made a powerful statement in shutting out the Bearcats in the second half. In an incredulous display of grit, the defense forced four consecutive punts in the second half and hawked a game-sealing interception with just 43 ticks left on the clock.

The interception was special in a number of ways. It not only sealed a victory over the No. 2 team in D-II, but it also changed the UNO record books. With the INT, Senior safety Randy Kush tied the all-time UNO record for interceptions (15), now sharing a mark held by Gary Paporello (1966-1969). With a full season to go, Kush looks like a likely candidate to be the lone holder of the all-time record when his fantastic career is finished.

"It's a nice accomplishment, but this win is what it's all about for me," Kush said.

The offense and defense fought for each other on Saturday night, and the results showed a mighty team unity among this year's Mavericks.

"We just said that we would get (the offense) the ball and we did. The offense did the rest," said Kush.

The Maverick defense forced two INT's and played well in the trenches when the time was at its most crucial point. The secondary, still searching for some answers, bounced back in the second half after giving up two TD's in the first. Junior cornerback Reed Taylor hauled in one INT and forced a fumble to go along with seven solo tackles.

The linebackers were very active all night, and in particular the second half. This impressive group was led by junior Jeff Souder, who finished with 15 total tackles, three and a half tackles for a loss and one sack. Junior linebacker Jacob Chandler finished with seven total tackles, including one for a loss.