MIDLAND, Mich. — The Northern Michigan football team fell to Northwood, 20-7, in the season opener at Hantz Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Shaye Brown connected with Marcus Tucker for an 18-yard touchdown with 3:04 left on the clock, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Timberwolves, who scored 20 unanswered points to earn their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 0-1 (0-1 GLIAC).

"This was a tough start to our season," head coach Chris Ostrowsky said. "You just can't turn the ball over in this league and win games. We will go back to work understanding that it's still very early in the season."

Northwood ran out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on the strength of two David Knudsen field goals. The Timberwolves extended their lead to 13-0 with 26 seconds left on the clock in the second quarter after Mark Morris found Terrance Stocker for a four-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats failed to capitalize on two field goal attempts, including on the drive after Laquan Middleton picked off a Morris pass in the end zone and returned it 24 yards.

The Northern Michigan offense turned the ball over five times in the game, but the defense limited Northwood to 372 total yards.

Trey Hipke led all players wth 78 receiving yards while Tucker racked up 69 yards. On the ground, Jake Mayon led the Wildcats with 62 yards in his collegiate debut.

On the defensive side of the ball, LJ Liston (19) and Julian Hornback (10) reached the double digits in tackles. Austin McCarthy recorded a sack for a loss of five yards.

The Wildcats return to the field Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. when they host Quincy in non-conference play.