Northwest Wins, Advances to National Semifinals

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (NWMSU Media Relations) -- Northwest Missouri State senior defensive tackle Tyler Roach blocked what would have been a game-tying extra point with six seconds left to beat top-ranked Central Washington 21-20 Saturday in an NCAA quarterfinal game at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
The win sends the second-ranked Bearcats (12-1) into the semifinals for the fifth year in a row. Californa (Pa.), which beat West Liberty 57-35 Saturday, will be their opponent at a date and location to be determined.
 
The missed extra point attempt by Garrett Rolsma followed a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cole Morgan to Mike Waller. Rolsma hooked up with Morgan twice for 36 yards on a drive that began with 1:11 remaining.
 
Northwest scored touchdowns on two 70-plus yard drives to begin the second half, turning a 14-7 deficit into a 21-14 lead. Jake Soy hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Blake Bolles to finish the first drive. Jordan Simmons caught a 19-yard pass from Bolles to cap the second.
 
Central Washington faced a 4th-and-1 from the Bearcat 5 early in the fourth quarter, but linebacker Adam Vondrak knocked down Morgan's pass to end the drive. Northwest took nearly seven minutes off the clock before Bolles was intercepted by Jerome Williams at the Wildcat 21. It was the only turnover of the game by the Bearcats.
 
Northwest picked off two Morgan passes, the first by linebacker Chad Kilgore was returned 25 yards, accounted for the Bearcats' first score and tied the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter.
 
Central Washington responded on the ensuing drive and regained the lead on a 12-yard run by Randall Eldridge. Eldridge scored twice for Central Washington and had 69 yards on 19 carries.
 
LaRon Council carried 27 times for 102 yards for Northwest - his sixth 100-yard effort of the season. He did it against the nation's top run defense. The Wildcats were allowing 55 yards per game entering play Saturday.
 
Bolles completed 31-of-40 passes for 295 yards. He found Jake Soy a season-high 11 times for 136 yards. Soy has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in four straight games and eight times this season. He caught his 23rd touchdown of the season, which leads the nation and ties him for the fifth-most in Division II history.
 
Bearcat safety Myles Burnsides tied his career high with 12 tackles. He also got his 16th career interception - tied for the third-most in program history.
 
Northwest has now beaten five 12-0 teams since 2006 and won 15 straight playoff games leading up to the national championship. The Bearcats improved to 3-5 all-time against top-ranked teams.