MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan football team scored a touchdown on each of its first three drives of the game and never looked back, dispatching Malone, 41-13, Saturday afternoon at the Superior Dome in front of 2,347 fans.

With the win, the Wildcats improved to 4-2 (3-2 GLIAC) on the season and stretched their home winning streak to four games.

The Wildcats found the end zone in the game's first 19 seconds after Marcus Tucker returned the opening kickoff 52 yards to the Malone 43 and Terrance Dye broke free for a 43-yard rushing touchdown on the very next play.

After Northern Michigan forced Malone to go three and out, Dye posted carries of 10 and 28 yards to set the Wildcats up deep in Pioneer territory. Shaye Brown then connected with Paris Woods on the sideline for a 25-yard score to put Northern Michigan ahead, 14-0. The Wildcats extended their lead to 21-0 on a 12-yard Dye reception minutes later.

Northern Michigan took advantage of another big Tucker kickoff return early in the second quarter. After Tucker scampered 58 yards to the Malone 27, Brown found Woods again on the sideline, and Woods beat his man to give the Wildcats a 28-3 advantage. Tyler Blackburn kicked a 29-yard field goal late in the half to send Northern Michigan to the locker room ahead, 31-3.

The second half was less of an offensive onslaught, but the Wildcats still breached the 40-point barrier for the first time this season thanks to a 25-yard Levi Perry interception return at 8:08 in the third quarter and a 34-yard Blackburn field goal at 8:53 in the fourth.

Perry's interception return was the second by a Wildcat this season; Brandon Auguste returned an interception 40 yards for a score against Michigan Tech Sept. 26.

Brown went 15 for 18 with 185 yards and three touchdowns. Dye totaled 106 yards on the ground while Woods (54), Tucker (51) and Edward Christian (40) led the Wildcats in receiving yards.

The Wildcats outgained the Pioneers, 33-326, overall and limited Malone to only 29 passing yards. Julian Hornback and Dante Holmes each reached the double digits in tackles with 10 apiece. Hornback also picked off a pass while Holmes, Perry, LJ Liston and Keshawn Walker recorded tackles for a loss.

Northern Michigan last won four-straight games at the Superior Dome between Nov. 7,
2009 and Sept. 16, 2010. The team last posted more than 40 points in a 66-38 win over Findlay Nov. 15, 2014.

The Wildcats will have to wait for the chance to strech their Superior Dome winning streak to five as they travel to Detroit to take on Wayne State Oct. 17 at noon.