Kansas City, Mo ? More than 20,000 fans were expected in Arrowhead Stadium tonight as Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State meet in a game that could have national championship consequences in Division II.

The luster of the clash was dimmed somewhat last week when Emporia State handed Pittsburg State (5-1, 3-1 MIAA) its first loss. But the Gorillas are still ranked No. 11 in Division II, while the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State (6-0, 4-0) are No. 5.

Billed as the “Clash of the Champions,” it will be the biggest football event in the history of the 10-school Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The sports information office at Northwest, which normally handles about 25 credential requests, figures to issue about 150.

“I’ve been to a lot of Chiefs games as a fan, but I’ve never been on the field,” said Northwest defensive end Mike Tiehen. “When I step on the field for the first time, I probably will get goose bumps.”

The intense rivalry has been many years in the making. Pittsburg State dominated the MIAA when it joined the conference in 1989, winning seven out of eight titles.

But in 1996 the Gorillas and Bearcats shared the title, and then the Bearcats won it five years in a row. Pittsburg State regained it last season, however.

Since 1989, either Pittsburg State or Northwest Missouri State has won the conference title every season except 1993.

“It has grown on its own to be a rivalry,” said Aaron McConnell, a Pittsburg State defensive lineman. “I don’t think we, as players, make it a rivalry. We look at it as a big conference game. But for the fans, it’s a big rivalry.”