MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan football team gave No. 3 Ferris State all it could handle on senior day, but the Bulldogs prevailed, 49-39, icing the game with 6:06 on the clock in regulation with a touchdown rush.

After Ferris State jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the game's first minute, the Wildcats responded by taking advantage of two Bulldog fumbles to pull ahead, 10-7.

First, Dante Holmes forced Antonio Agurs to cough up the ball deep in the Ferris State end, and Jared Vuksan recovered it. Shaye Brown then connected with Marcus Tucker for an 18-yard touchdown on the very next play at 8:05. 

The Bulldogs fumbled on their next possession, as Julian Hornback bulled over Jason Vander Laan, who lost the ball. Jalen Brooks recovered the ball at the Ferris State 16, and Tyler Blackburn would ultimately kick a 37-yard field goal to give the Wildcats their first lead at 5:02. 

Ferris State regrouped by scoring the second quarter's first two touchdowns. After the Bulldogs' second touchdown, Brown found Keyondre Craig along the sideline. Craig was able to outjump the defensive back covering him and then sprint 91 yards for the score, the Wildcats' longest of the season. 

Northern Michigan took a 24-21 lead with 1:50 to go in the half after Terrell Johnson picked off a Vander Laan pass at the 50-yard line and returned it to the Ferris State 28. The Wildcats pulled off a trick play on its first try at the end zone, as Brown pitched the ball over to Aaron Harris, who then hit Paris Woods in the end zone for a 28-yard score.

But the Bulldogs would go to the locker room with a 28-24 lead after Vander Laan found Jamel Lockett for a 22-yard touchdown with 15 seconds remaining in the half.

In the second half, the teams traded scores. The Wildcats' first touchdown of the half came on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Woods at 5:47 in the third quarter.

At 11:34 in the fourth, Northern Michigan was able to pull within a field goal after a two-yard Tucker touchdown catch and a successful two-point conversion rush by Austin Young capped an 82-yard drive.

Ferris State held a 550-316 edge in total offense. Brown scored four touchdowns for the second-straight game, totaling 263 yards. Craig posted a game-high 142 receiving yards.

The Wildcat defense was paced by Hornback (13), Darryl Williams (12) and Matt Boonstra (11), who each reached the double digits in tackles. Hornback, Williams and Holmes each posted a sack.

Before the game, the Wildcats honored seniors Brandon Auguste, Terrance Dye, Trey Hipke, Holmes, JT Jurasin, Laquan Middleton, Levi Perry, Jorge Rios, Kyle Steuck, Tucker, Zane Weaver, Drew Wudtke and Young.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 5-5 (4-5 GLIAC). They close out the regular season Nov. 14 when they face Findlay at noon.