Marquette, Mich. — Northern Michigan concludes their 2017 campaign Saturday by hosting Northwood University on Senior Day and Veterans Day. All veterans and a guest receive free admission to the game, while the team's seniors will be honored during the game.
Saturday's game will begin at 1 p.m. Video, live stats and audio will be available.
Follow @NMUWildcats for continued updates throughout the weekend.
GAME NOTES
Honoring the seniors: Prior to today's game, NMU will honor their seniors. This year's senior class features 11 players: Jaranta Lewis (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay), Quintin Del Re (Tempe, Ariz./Basha/Mesa CC), Julian Crum (Country Club Hills, Ill./St. Rita of Cascia), Pat Ryan (Linden, Mich.), Kainon Clark (Overland Park, Kan./Spring Hall/Coffeyville), D'Jon Meek (Crete Monee, Ill./Hillcrest), Marlon Harris (Oak Park, Mich./Clawson/Tiffin), Darryl Williams (Cooper City, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), Will Pretty (Palmdale, Calif./Paraclete/College of the Canyons), Tyler O'Connor (Appleton, Wis./Appleton East/Concordia), and Jalen Brooks (Appleton, Wis./Appleton East/Concordia).
Saturday's comeback falls short: The Wildcats took possession of the ball with 1:04 remaining in the game with an attempt to set up a game-winning field goal. Freshman quarterback Ryan Johnson (DePere, Wisc./Ashwaubenon) started the drive with an eight-yard completion to freshman Marcus Kidd (University Park, Ill./Crete-Monee). After an incompletion stopped the clock, junior Jake Mayon (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) rushed for six yards, which Johnson followed with back-to-back completions to freshman Dallas Dixon (Phoenix, Ariz./Tolleson) for a total of 26 yards, putting NMU on the Wayne State 42-yard line. However, on the next play, the Warriors came up with an interception to seal the game.
Mayon's spot in first continues: Mayon continues to lead the GLIAC in rushing, averaging 129.1 yards a game. On Saturday, he rushed for 122 yards, his fifth game this year of over 100 yards rushing. He also scored on a 65-yard rushing score. On the season, Mayon has notched 151.2 scrimmage yards per game and has total 1,162 total rushing yards and 199 receiving yards. He has scored seven touchdowns.
Johnson over 250 again: Johnson threw for 272 yards on Saturday, the second time during his rookie campaign he has thrown for over 250 yards. He finished 20-35 on the day and threw for two touchdowns, a 21-yarder to redshirt freshman Dan Van Effen (Escanaba, Mich.), and a 50-yard catch and run by Dixon.
Receiver depth: Six receivers caught a pass Saturday. Dixon posted a team-best 127 yards on five catches. Lewis and Van Effen posted four receptions each. Kidd and junior Josh Hafner (St. Johns, Mich./Ithaca) added three receptions while Mayon chipped in with one catch. On the season, 16 receivers have caught a pass.
GLIAC Tackle Leaders: Ryan leads the GLIAC with 10.3 tackles a game and Williams is second with 9.8 tackles a game. Ryan notched 14 total tackles on Saturday, while Williams tallied 11. Sophomore Troy Mayon (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) aided the defense's effort with 12 tackles.
Last Time Out: NMU faced an early 14-0 deficit, which grew to 20-0 midway through the second quarter. Johnson then hit Van Effen for a 21-yard touchdown, followed by a 25-yard field goal by freshman Dalton Ray (Clemont, Fla./Lake Menneola) to reduce the lead to just 20-10 at the half. After a Wayne State field goal, NMU responded with two big plays to take a 24-23 lead into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Warriors added another field goal which the Wildcats couldn't answer to fall 26-24, their third one-score loss of the season.
Timberwolves at a Glance: Northwood comes into Saturday's matchup after defeating Saginaw Valley 35-21 during the Axe Bowl. The Timberwolves and Cardinals were tied heading 21-21 heading into the fourth quarter, where Northwood scored two rushing touchdowns to win the game. The Timberwolves have won four of their last five matchups, the only defeat at Ferris State, falling to the Bulldogs 24-14.
The Northern Michigan/Northwood Series: Saturday marks the 38th matchup in the series, one that the Wildcats hold a 26-10 advantage. NMU won the first 18 games between the teams, and have won seven of the last ten. Last season, NMU took victory 29-24 in the Superior Dome. The Wildcats went up 20-7, but the Timberwolves took an eventual 24-23 lead with 4:26 left. Mayon gave NMU a 29-24 lead and eventual victory with a one-yard touchdown run.
