Northwest football looking forward to matchup with Emporia State

MARYVILLE, Mo. (KQTV) -- #11 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats are set to host Senior Night and Homecoming on Saturday, but are also playing for a chance to take the lead in the MIAA standings.

The #11 Bearcats will play host to #8 Emporia State Hornets, whom Northwest has dominated in the past. They are 29-1 all-time against Emporia State, but this is a different team this season. The Hornets are 8-0 on the year and 6-0 in conference play.

Bearcat Head Coach John McMenamin is looking forward to this matchup and said this competition is what it is all about.

"When you play great teams, it's fun because they are what they are and they're going to play their brand of football," McMenamin said. "There are surprises, but you're very sure of what they're going to do, and they're sure of what you're going to do. You just have to go out and execute and let the chips fall where they may."

McMenamin isn't the only one looking forward to this matchup. Bearcat Senior Andrew Waltke said his team will come ready to play.

"It's going to be a fun one," Waltke said. "Great crowd, great atmosphere and we're going to fly around and play how we always do."

This game at Bearcat Stadium is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.