Northwest Missouri State defensive lineman Spencer Phillips has been named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and the Bearcat football team had 20 players named to the all-MIAA squads released today.
Phillips (Tabor, Iowa) led the MIAA in tackles-for-loss (15.0) and in quarterback sacks (8.0). Phillips registered 45 tackles, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbled and posted two safeties for the MIAA's top-ranked defense. Phillips is the 10th Bearcat since 2000 to be named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year.
Northwest's MIAA Defensive Players of the Year Since 2000
Spencer Phillips, DL – 2019
Collin Blevins, DL – 2015
Matt Longacre, DL – 2014
Matt Longacre, DL – 2013
Ryan Jones, DB – 2010
Myles Burnsides, DB – 2008
Jared Erspamer, LB – 2007
Dave Tollefson, DL – 2005
Adam Long, LB – 2004
Brian Williams, LB – 2000
Joining Phillips on the all-MIAA first team were senior offensive lineman Tanner Owen (Kearney, Missouri) and junior defensive back Blake Bayer (Albia, Iowa).
Northwest collected eight second-team all-MIAA picks. The second-team selections went to senior tight end Marqus Andrews (Blue Springs, Missouri, junior linebacker Jackson Barnes (Kansas City, Missouri, junior wide receiver Imoni Donadelle (Youngstown, Ohio, sophomore defensive lineman Zach Howard (Bolivar, Missouri, senior running back Justin Rankin (Oberlin, Ohio, junior defensive lineman Sam Roberts (Waynesville, Missouri, junior kicker Parker Sampson (Kansas City, Missouri) and sophomore quarterback Braden Wright (Elkhorn, Nebraska).
Northwest added three all-MIAA third-team honorees in sophomore linebacker Sam Phillips (Tabor, Iowa, senior offensive lineman Ryan Spelhaug (Bettendorf, Iowa) and sophomore defensive back Trey Washington (Grimes, Iowa).
The Bearcats notched six honorable mention all-MIAA awards as well. The honorable mention picks went to junior offensive lineman Gabe Bautz (Waukesha, Wisconsin, senior defensive lineman Mike Ehlke (Little Chute, Wisconsin, senior defensive back Jacob Gassman (Kearney, Missouri, senior linebacker Andy Hessler (Hartland, Wisconsin, senior defensive back Chama Pierre (Lake Worth, Florida) and senior running back Isaiah Strayhorn (Chula Vista, California).
FIRST TEAM – BEARCAT BIOS
Blake Bayer – led the team in tackles (68) … second on the team with 11 passes defensed and 10 pass breakups … registered eight tackles-for-loss … had a season-high 11 tackles and four TFLs at Emporia State (Oct. 5) … notched his first collegiate interception against Pittsburg State (Oct. 12) at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tanner Owen – second straight season he has earned first-team all-MIAA honors after posting honorable mention status as a redshirt freshman in 2017 … has started all 36 games of his collegiate career … part of an offensive line that has allowed the fewest sacks (10) in the MIAA … the Bearcat offense ranks No. 1 in the nation in red zone offense that scored 33-of-34 times (.971).
Spencer Phillips – MIAA Defensive Player of the Year … started all 11 games on the defensive line a year after earning honorable mention all-MIAA status … MIAA leader in tackles-for-loss (15) … tied for the MIAA lead in sacks (8.0) … posted a season-high 10 tackles and three TFLs in a 45-23 win over Central Missouri (Nov. 16).
SECOND TEAM – BEARCAT BIOS
Marqus Andrews – ranks second on the team in touchdown receptions (6) … ranks third on the squad in receptions (22) and receiving yards (317) … named the MIAA offensive player of the week against Pittsburg State (Oct. 12) when he had three catches for 61 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Gorillas as Arrowhead Stadium … has played and started in 10 games this season … earned honorable mention all-MIAA honors in 2018 … two-time academic all-district pick … Academic All-America selection in 2018.
Jackson Barnes – ranks second on the squad with 58 total tackles and three interceptions … has made 29 solo stops … credited with 7.5 TFLs … scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 29-yard interception return vs. Central Missouri (Nov. 16) … notched his first sack in Northwest's win against Pittsburg State (Oct. 12) at Arrowhead Stadium … has played and started in 10 games.
Imoni Donadelle – team leader in receptions (34, receiving yards (613, receiving touchdowns (8) … averaged 95.3 all-purpose yards per game … scored touchdowns via receiving (8, rushing (1) and kick return (1) … caught a season-high six passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Missouri Southern (Sept. 21) … set the Northwest single-game record for kick return yards with 174 vs. Central Oklahoma (Sept. 28) … returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown vs. the Bronchos … has started in all 11 games … has caught at least one pass in all 11 games.
Zach Howard – tied for the MIAA lead in quarterback sacks (8.0) … tied for third on the team with 49 tackles … has 9.5 TFLs … had a season-high eight tackles against Missouri Western (Sept. 5) … the Bearcat defense has allowed a league-best 84.4 rushing yards per game … has started all 11 games for the No. 1-ranked defense in the MIAA.
Justin Rankin – MIAA leader in total touchdowns scored (15) … leads Bearcats in all-purpose yards per game (112.1) … ranks fourth in the MIAA in rushing yards per game (82.7) … ranks second on the team in receptions (29) and receiving yards (323) … has three 100-plus rushing games … rushed for 130 yards vs. Missouri Western (Sept. 5) … rushed for 150 yards and a score vs. Missouri Southern (Sept. 21) … rushed for a season-high 211 yards and four touchdowns vs. Northeastern State (Nov. 2) … started all 11 games at running back.
Sam Roberts – ranks second in the MIAA in tackles-for-loss per game (1.0) … tied for fifth in the nation with three blocked kicks … has 37 tackles (22 solos) and five quarterback sacks … leads the team with 11 quarterback hurries … had a season-high nine tackles at Nebraska-Kearney (Oct. 19) … has played and started in nine games … was a first-team all-MIAA pick in 2018.
Parker Sampson – leads Northwest in points scored (104) … ranks No. 14 in the nation in scoring … 13-of-17 in field goals, including 12-of-13 from 49 yards or less … his 53-yard field goal against Emporia State ranked as the second-longest field goal made in school history … connected on all four field goal attempts vs. the Hornets and was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week … booted a game-winning 38-yard field goal to defeat Fort Hays State (Nov. 9) in double overtime.
Braden Wright – second straight season earning second-team all-MIAA honors … ranks No. 14 in the nation in points responsible for (192) … has passed for 2,160 yards on 145-of-275 passing with 23 TDs and only seven interceptions … ranks No. 2 on the team in rushing with 612 yards and nine touchdowns … two-time MIAA player of the week … rushed for a career-high 172 yards against Pittsburg State (Oct. 12) at Arrowhead Stadium … passed for a career-high 305 yards and four touchdowns (all in the first half) against Central Oklahoma (Sept. 28) … passed for 279 yards and three TDs, while rushing for 96 yards and a score in Northwest's 36-33 double-overtime victory at Fort Hays State (Nov. 9) … has started all 24 games over the past two seasons.
THIRD TEAM – BEARCAT BIOS
Sam Phillips – tied for the third on the team in total tackles (49) … second on the squad with 29 solo stops … two-time MIAA defensive player of the week … returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown and an interception 29 yards for a touchdown in the season-opening win over Missouri Western (Sept. 5) … posted a season-high 11 tackles in a victory over Pittsburg State (Oct. 12) … started all 11 games at linebacker.
Ryan Spelhaug – second straight year being named to the third-team all-MIAA squad … has started 24 consecutive games on the offensive line … two-time academic all-district pick … Academic All-American in 2018.
Trey Washington – leads the MIAA in passes defensed (19) … ranks second in the league in interceptions (6) … made four starts and has played in 10 games … has 24 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs and one quarterback sack … named the MIAA defensive player of the week after picking off two passes and returning a fumble for a touchdown in Northwest's 45-23 win over Central Missouri (Nov. 16).
HONORABLE MENTION – BEARCAT BIOS
Gabe Bautz – has started all 11 games at left guard … part of an offensive line that has allowed only 10 quarterback sacks all season … Bearcats rank No. 6 in the nation in scoring per game (46.6 ppg) … Northwest has rushed for 30 touchdowns and passed for 28 scores in 2019.
Mike Ehlke – two straight years of earning honorable mention all-MIAA status … started all 11 games at defensive end … has 38 tackles (23 solos, 5.0 TFLs, two sacks and two fumble recoveries … he had an 18-yard scoop and score against Northeastern State (Nov. 2).
Jacob Gassman – has battled injuries throughout his career, including this season where he has started and played in only seven games … has 31 tackles (26 solos) and 3.5 TFLs … posted a season-high eight tackles in a 45-23 win over Central Missouri (Nov. 16) … returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown vs. Northeastern State (Nov. 2).
Andy Hessler – started all 11 games at linebacker … ranks sixth on the team with 42 total tackles (29 solos) … credited with 5.5 TFLs and three quarterback sacks.
Chama Pierre – played in 10 games and made nine starts … credited with 19 tackles … tied a season-high with six tackles vs. Fort Hays State (Nov. 9) before suffering a season-ending injury in the second half.
Isaiah Strayhorn – named to the honorable mention all-MIAA squad for the second straight season … carried the ball 79 times for 430 yards and three touchdowns … rushed for a season-high 128 yards and a touchdown vs. Northeastern State (Nov. 2).
--- Northwest Athletics ---