MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan University football team opens Great Lake Intercollegiate Athletics Conference play Saturday night by facing #2 Ferris State University.
The game can be followed using live stats and fans can also listen to the game live.
Follow @NMU_Wildcats on twitter for continued updates throughout the game.
GAME NOTES
Last Time Out:
The Wildcats enter Saturday's game looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Texas to Angelo State University, 48-20. After giving up a quick score to the Rams, NMU settled in and narrowed the deficit to 12-7 and were set to reduce it even more, but a blocked field goal turned momentum. The Rams responded to the excitement by scoring twice, pushing out to a 26-7 lead.
Northern Michigan showed strength in the running game, out rushing the hosts 242-169. In their previous outing Angelo State held McKendree University to -13 yards rushing.
Bulldogs at a Glance:
Ferris State enters Saturday's matchup ranked #2 in the country and are coming off a 48-27 victory over Findley University. Quarterback Reggie Bell scored five touchdowns in the game, one throwing and four on the ground. Bell finished 14-21 for 206 yards through the air, and rushed for 216 yards on 18 carries.
The Bulldogs finished with 413 yards rushing on 52 carries, and totalled 653 yards total, nearly doubling the Oilers' offensive output.
Mayon Starts Season In Big Way:
Junior Jake Mayon (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) started 2017 by rushing for 205 yards on 25 carries, averaging 8.2 yards. Against the Bulldogs, Mayon's night was highlighted by a long of 61 yards.
Lewis Throws for Two:
Senior Jaranta Lewis (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay) started his second career game at quarterback and threw for two touchdowns and 159 total yards. His first touchdown was to junior Michael Akinlade (Birmingham, England/St. Matthew Academy) for a seven yard touchdown throw. He followed it with an 83 yard pass to sophomore Ryan Knight (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern).
Knight's First Score Goes a Long Way
Knight scored his first career touchdown, going for an 83-yard reception early in the third quarter. He also scored on a 10-yard pass from redshirt freshman Latrell Giles (Chicago, Ill./Leo Catholic) in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.
Tackle Leaders:
Junior Demarious Wright (Delray Beach, Fla./Atlantic) led the defense with 12 total tackles, including 11 solo tackles. Senior Darryl Williams (Cooper City, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) would add eight tackles with senior Pat Ryan (Linden, Mich.) chipping in with seven. Sophomore Cole Van Enkenvort (Green Bay, Wisc./Bay Port) finished with six tackles, including a nine yard sack.
First Career Touchdown Pass:
Giles threw his first career touchdown pass Saturday. Giles found Knight in the end zone with one second remaining in the game.
NMU versus Ferris State:
Northern Michigan and Ferris State have faced each other 43 times, including the past 30 straight years. Overall, NMU is 15-22-6 against the Bulldogs, with their last win coming in 2010 with a 22-20 victory in the Superior Dome.
Last season, Ferris State won 45-23, which included going into the fourth quarter up 38-6. Mayon led the Wildcat offense with 119 rushing yards.
