MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University football team (3-6, 1-4 GLIAC) are loading up the buses one last time this year for a matchup against Saginaw Valley State University (6-3, 3-2 GLIAC) as their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) schedule nears a close.

WEEKLY NOTES:

FOLLOW ALONG

Fans can purchase tickets and follow the action using video, live stats and audio.

Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week.

Saturday @ Saginaw Valley

Live Stats: www.svsucardinals.com

Video: https://team1sports.com/svsucardinals/

Audio: rrnsports.com 

LAST TIME OUT

Last week's matchup saw a Wildcats team face off against NCAA DII No.1 team in Ferris State University for a GLIAC matchup. 

Sophomore quarterback Drake Davis threw for a total of 143 yards going 13-21 on the day. 

Junior wide receiver Isaiah Popp led Northern with three receptions for a total of 87 yards, which also included a reception that totaled 70 yards.

QUARTERBACK PLAY

Sophomore Drake Davis is fourth among GLIAC quarterbacks in passing touchdowns with nine and third in passing yards per game with an average of 167.

Davis is first in the GLIAC with 1,503 passing yards on the season and is first in the GLIAC with 141 completions on 212 attempts.  

Freshman quarterback Zach Keen contributed to the matchup as he had three completions for 41 yards and even threw for his first touchdown in the green and yellow. Keen would also add a second touchdown on the day. 

RECEIVING 'CATS

Tyquan Cox had a solid performance for the 'Cats as he had five receptions on the day for a total of 57 yards and added two receiving touchdown passes. 

Isaiah Popp was the leading Wildcat in yards with a total of 87 yards on only three receptions. 

RUNNING WILDCATS

Sophomore running back DJ Stewart continues to dominate on offense. Stewart rushed for a total of 79 yards averaging 8.8 yards a carry.  

STRONG DEFENSE

Freshman Will Borchert ranks second in the GLIAC for defense with a total of 87 tackles, averaging 9.7 per game. Borchert had a strong performance against the Bulldogs racking up eight total tackles. He ranks in the top 20 nationally in two statistical categories, total tackles and fumbles recovered.   

Senior Andre Whitley ranks third behind Borchert in the GLIAC for defense with a total of 83 tackles for an average of 9.2 per game. He also has three sacks on the year. Whitley tallied up 13 total tackles against Ferris State. 

Senior Brady Hanson had a great outing as he would total up 12 tackles on the day. 

Sophomore Tavion McCarthy continues to dominate on defense as he ranks in the top 15 in the nation for passes defended.   

NMU VS SAGINAW VALLEY

The Wildcats come into the matchup ranked Nationally for DII in the top 10 for 4th down conversion percentage and in the top 15 for kickoff return defense. Northern and Saginaw have faced off a total of 40 times dating back to 1975.