Schedules finally aligned this weekend so that I could cross something off my list that I’ve wanted to for a while now: shoot photos at a Northwest Missouri State Football game.

I would have loved to get to a game in Maryville, but because I shoot Husker Football for NRG Media as part of my day job, if it was going to be this season, it would have to be on the road. And since Kearney is closer than Hays, Kansas, I chose the game against the Lopers in Cope Stadium.

Northwest Responds After Three Tight Quarters

Nebraska-Kearney came into the contest at 1-6, having just won their first game the week before. Northwest began the day ranked 11th in the AFCA Coaches Poll with a record of 5-1. Yet anyone expecting a cakewalk would have to wait. The Bearcats and Lopes stood scoreless late in the first half.

That’s when Northwest QB Zachariah Owens hooked up with WR Tommy Hutsler for a 66-yard touchdown with 3:17 left in the second quarter to put the Bearcats up 7-0 (following a Mo Alwaely extra point). Still, UNK was able to get a 43-yard field goal on the board with three seconds left in the second quarter to make it 7-3 Cats at halftime.

Northwest began the second half with a bang when on the first possession of the second half, RB Quincy Torry burst off the right side of the Bearcat line for a 75-yard touchdown. Alwaely’s extra point made it 14-3 Cats. The Lopes did score a touchdown later in the quarter, but 13 fourth quarter points helped the Bearcats pull away for a 27-10 win, improving to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA.

Northwest at UNK Photo Gallery

I did snap quite a few photos too. Mostly Bearcats, but there are some Lopers in here too. Take a look in the gallery below.

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My time at Northwest Missouri State was incredible, and I wish I could make it to more games. Who knows? There still might an extra contest in Maryville this year. Maybe the schedules will align one more time in 2026.