MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University football team scored 34 points behind the strong play of freshman quarterback Shaye Brown in their third win of the year on Saturday (November 2).  The Wildcats improve to 3-5 on the season and 3-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the 34-15 win while the Northwood Timberwolves fall to 2-7 overall, 1-6 in the GLIAC. The game marked the final home game of the 2013 Wildcat Football season. 

Brown finished the game17 of 27 passing for 221 yards and three touchdowns. The Northern Michigan receiving core had seven receivers combine for the 17 receptions on the afternoon. Freshman Keyondre Craig and sophomore Marcus Tucker each had four receptions for 69 yards and 21 yards, respectively. In the run game sophomore Wyatt Jurasin had 118 yards on 25 carries while redshirt freshman Keon Collier had 39 on seven attempts.

The first quarter of play had 8 possessions and ended with no points scored.  The Wildcats opened scoring on the afternoon in the second quarter after taking over the ball on the Northwood 33 yard line on a 57 yard punt return by senior Brandon Parson. The 'Cats used the field position, just two plays, and 10 seconds to put their first score on the board as Shaye Brown connected with senior Christian Jessie on a 33 yard reception. Freshman John Oberheide's kick was good.

At 8:26 of the second quarter Northwood got themselves on the board on a 24 yard field goal by Keegan Haggarty.  The Wildcats then used 5 minutes, 26 seconds to go 76 yards on 13 plays ending in a four-yard Wyatt Jurasin run for a touchdown.  Oberheide connected on the extra point again to put the Wildcats up 14 -3.

Northern Michigan stopped the Timberwolves who were on a 15 play, 66 yard drive when Mark Morris lost control of the snap and had to down the ball in the back field on a 4th and goal from the Wildcat one-yard line.  The 'Cats then took a knee to take their 14-3 lead into the half. 

Northwood started the second half with a seven-yard touchdown run by Mark Morris followed by a missed point after attempt to cut the Wildcat lead to 14-9.

The Wildcats responded with three straight touchdowns.  Brown connected with Craig for a 34 yard touchdown at 8:14 of the third quarter to make it 20-9 on Oberheide's missed extra point.  Next time around Brown went seven yards to Marcus Tucker making it 27-9 on Oberheide's successful attempt at 00:49 of the third quarter.  Jurasin rushed 13 yards to for six more points to open the fourth quarter putting the 'Cats up 35-9 on Oberheides extra point at 13:52 of the fourth quarter.

Northwood managed to find the endzone one more time as Mark Morris found Devonta Elzy at 12:41 of the fourth quarter. 

On the day the Wildcats had just 16 first downs in comparison to 31 for Northwood.  Seven of Northwood's first downs came on Wildcat penalties as the Wildcats were whistled 17 times resulting in 142 yards.  Northwood had just one penalty resulting in five yards. 

The Wildcat defense had 3 sacks and 1 interception on the day.   The defense was led by senior Rodney Lamar with 10 tackles (4 solo, 6 assists).  Four other Wildcats each had eight tackles.

Next week the Wildcats will hit the road to challenge conference foe Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Nov. 9).