When PITTSBURG

has the ball

Behind quarterback Mark Smith and tailback Caleb Farabi, the Gorillas boast the No. 2 rushing offense in the conference, which ranks them No. 9 nationally in that category. Farabi, an honorable mention All-American last season as a junior, is averaging 114.5 yards per game this season. He has 1,374 yards for the season, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Smith can make things happen with both his feet and his arm in the Gorillas’ “multiple choice” option offense. He has averaged 250.7 yards of total offense per contest and compiled a 166.6 passer rating for the season, seventh best in Division II. The Northwest defense smothered Smith and Farabi in their last meeting, but Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma warns that Smith is playing at a higher level of late. The big question mark is Farabi, who suffered a hand injury last week against Nebraska-Omaha. The Bearcats are preparing for him to be 100 percent, but Farabi at less than full strength would be a plus for Northwest.

Advantage: Even

When NORTHWEST has the ball

First-team All-MIAA running back LaRon Council leads the attack, having set a Northwest regular-season record by scoring 27 touchdowns (26 rushing, one receiving). He has seven 100-yard games, and his 1,328 rushing yards rank him No. 7 in the nation. But Council, running behind an experienced offensive line, has plenty of other play-makers on his unit. Quarterback Joel Osborn, who owns the best passing percentage in school history, and his favorite target, senior wide receiver Kendall Wright, are both first-team All-MIAA selections. Wright and teammate Abe Qaoud each have caught a pass in all 11 games this season. One key for the Bearcats is to maintain their efficiency on offense. The Bearcats led the conference in third-down conversions at 52.8 percent. Pittsburg State’s defense, however, seems to have come into its own since giving up 35 points against Northwest on Oct. 4, blitzing frequently with different combinations. How Northwest handles that blitz will be a big factor.

Advantage: Northwest

Special teams

Northwest has the top-ranked punt return unit in the MIAA, relying on Wright. Wright’s average of 12.1 yards per return is best in the league. Neither team has been particularly good at kickoff returns, but the Bearcats finished No. 2 in the conference in kickoff coverage, just 1.9 yards ahead of the Gorillas. Field goal kicking has not been a highlight for either team, though Northwest has had little need for field goals to date, having one of the better third-down conversion rates in the country.

Advantage: Northwest

Players to Watch

Mark Smith, Pittsburg State quarterback — As Smith goes, so goes the Gorillas’ offense. Tjeerdsma believes Smith had an off day against the Bearcats on Oct. 4. If he bounces back, he could be trouble.

Reid Kirby, Northwest offensive tackle — This senior sat out the season finale against Missouri Southern to rest his knee, which was scoped about three weeks earlier. The Bearcats could use his expertise in picking up the blitz, which has become a staple of the Gorillas’ defense the past three games.

Quotable

“Our defense is going to have to play really well. We can’t let them keep the ball the whole time.”

— Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest coach

— RICK DUNAWAY