Missouri Southern (1-4, 1-3) at No. 6 Northwest Missouri (5-1, 4-0)

When NORTHWEST has the ball

The Northwest offense, a question mark when the season started, is a question no more. The Bearcats are coming off an impressive performance at nationally ranked Missouri Western, amassing 517 yards of total offense and 49 points in a two-touchdown victory over the Griffons. Blake Bolles threw for 295 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes. Jake Soy caught three of those scores, pushing him to No. 2 in the nation in touchdown receptions. Soy caught nine passes altogether for 142 yards, both also career highs. Northwest’s ground game has advanced as well, with LaRon Council carrying 24 times for a career-high 192 yards and two touchdowns. It was a performance that particularly impressed Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma, since the senior All-American’s chances had been limited due to substitutions during blowouts. Southern’s defense was beset by injuries at the start of the season. Senior Jared Brawner, an All-American in 2008 and the MIAA’s leading tackler last season is among those out for the season. Fellow senior Skyler Vandiver, junior Corderial Collier and sophomore Brandon Williams are the others. The Lions rank at the bottom of the MIAA in total defense, but they are coming off a 21-13 loss to Pittsburg State.

Advantage: Northwest

When SOUTHERN has the ball

Southern ranks eighth in the MIAA in total offense, averaging 372.6 yards per contest. Junior Roland Thompson stepped in at quarterback last week for his first collegiate start, and he will be the Lions’ starter for the foreseeable future. He went 16-for-34 for 180 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburg State last week and also rushed for 41 yards in his debut. Senior wide receiver Daniel Thompson is fifth in the MIAA in scoring (9.6 points per game). He and fellow receiver Landon Zerkel rank ninth and sixth in receptions per game (4.0 and 4.2). In the backfield, senior Toderick Hunt is the rushing leader with 332 yards and two touchdowns. He shares the rushing load with fellow senior Johnny Johnson, who had been a wide receiver for his first three seasons. Johnson this season has rushed for 306 yards and two touchdowns. The Bearcats allow conference lows of 17.5 points and 273.7 yards per outing. Northwest’s defense will play this week without the services of conference sack leader Sean Paddock (foot), but has plenty of depth to overcome the loss.

Advantage: Northwest

Special Teams

Southern ranks last in the MIAA in both kick returns and punt returns, while Northwest has excelled in the return game. The Bearcats are the top kickoff return team in the conference, averaging 29 yards per return. The punt return team is third in the MIAA at 15.3 yards. Individually, Northwest’s Jordan Simmons leads the conference in punt returns (15.1 yards per return average), but speedster Tyler Shaw is always a threat, as is junior Brian Shannon. Both teams’ place-kickers have hit just 1 of 5 attempts this season.

Advantage: Northwest

Quotable

“I almost cried; I’m serious. He hadn’t had a chance to have that many yards this year. It just hadn’t worked out, but you could see it from the get-go. He made some plays I’d never seen him make before.

— Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest coach,

on LaRon Council’s breakout game

of 2009 last week

Notable

Southern fourth-year head coach Bart Tatum spent 10 seasons coaching Northwest’s offensive line, was promoted to assistant head coach prior to the 2002 season and added the titles of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach prior to the 2004 campaign.

Players to Watch

LaRon Council, Northwest running back — The senior broke loose for a career-high yardage total last week against Missouri Western. This week’s opponent has lost a lot of personnel to injuries, offering the possibility of another big day.

Roland Thompson, Southern quarterback — Thompson made his first collegiate start at quarterback last week against Pittsburg State in an eight-point loss. He could get a tougher test today against Northwest’s defense.

— RICK DUNAWAY