MIDLAND, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University Football team scored on their first drive in Saturday's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup at Northwood University but it wouldn't be enough as the Wildcats fell to Northwood 28-10.

AN EARLY SCORE

Freshman Tyquan Cox (Chicago, Ill.) took the opening kickoff 43 yards to set up the Wildcat offense on their 46-yard line.  

After two carries moved NMU to their 48, sophomore quarterback Ryan Johnson (De Pere, Wis.) found senior Ryan Knight (Grand Rapids, Mich.) for nine yards on 3^rd and 8, giving the Wildcats a first down at the Northwood 43.

Junior Cullen Heimburger (Wheaton, Ill.) took the ball six yards, setting NMU on the NU 37. Freshman Tyshon King (Chicago, Ill.) then took over, using six carries to cross into the end zone, scoring from one-yard out.  Sophomore Daniel Riser (Ada, Mich.) made the extra point and the Wildcats were leading 7-0 just under six minutes into the game.

A KICK FOR DEEP

After Northwood tied the score, NMU retook the lead with a field goal. Starting on their 48-yard line, Johnson hit junior Ravon Johnson (Willowbrook, Ill.) for 10 yards. King then carried it six yards before an incomplete pass. Sophomore Sebastion Toland (Jackson, Mich.) went for two yards, setting up a 4^th and 2, which King converted with a carry for three yards.

On first down, Cox took it to yards, but the drive stalled, forcing a 4^th and 8. Riser was sent out and made a career-long 46-yard field to put the Wildcats ahead 10-7 with 10:44 left in the first half.

However, the offense was unable to score again as Northwood eventually took the 28-10 victory.

STAT LEADERS

King led the offense with 95 yards on 19 carries. He also scored his seventh touchdown of the season. Sophomore Keshawn Howard (Rochester, N.Y.) added six carries for 46 yards.

Sophomore Benjamin Loutsis (Aurora, Ill.) notched three catches for 29 yards to lead the receiving corp.

Defensively, sophomore Isaac Darkangelo (Brighton, Mich.) tallied a career-high 17 tackles and also posted a sack. Redshirt freshman Antonio Howard Jr. (Chicago, Ill.) had 11 tackles.

Junior Brady Hanson (Kewaskum, Mich.) finished with eight tackles and also had three pass breakups. Sophomore Anthony Ladd (Columbus, Ohio) notched six tackles along with one sack for 18 yards.

UP NEXT

The Wildcats return to the Superior Dome next Saturday to host Saginaw Valley State University in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference clash. The team will honor their seniors prior to the game.