By: Nicholas Rappuhn

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Northern Michigan University will induct five individuals and one team into the NMU Sports Hall of Fame this year.

One selection this year is the 1981 NMU football team. 

The 1981 NMU football team was as stacked as they come, boasting an All-Conference player in Scott Sible, a No. 1 player in the nation for rushing among DII players in George Works, and a team ranked No. 2 in defense and third in scoring among all DII programs that year. 

The Wildcat football team outscored their opponents an outstanding 403-196 en route to a memorable 11-1 season. The season also included the Northern football team going 10-0 in the regular season, the best record for the 'Cats since 1967. 

Coached by Bill Rademacher, the Wildcats would go on to beat programs like North Dakota State (10-3) 38-0, Wayne State (4-5) 52-7, UW Superior (0-11) 64-10, and Michigan Tech (1-8) 44-15. 

Associated Press All-American quarterback Tom Bertoldi would throw for a total of 2,454 yards on 331 pass attempts. 2019 NMU Sports Hall of Fame Inductee wide receiver Scott Sible would receive 884 yards that year making him All-Conference. Dynamic running back George Works would rush for 1,049 yards earning him the award for Outstanding Offensive Back. 

The 'Cats defense was one of the strongest in the country helping them hold a total of eight teams from scoring two touchdowns or less. The defense would also shut out two teams on the year. 

The biggest win of the year was against a then NCAA DI-A opponent in Wichita State University where the 'Cats would play a close one with a final score of 32-30. Quarterback Tom Bartoldi would throw a school-record 92-yard touchdown completion to senior wide receiver Greg McClain. Mario Ferretti trotted onto the field in the final seconds of the game to kick the game-winning field goal from 23 yards away, finishing the historic last-minute drive.

The 'Cats would open up the playoffs as the host team with a huge win over Elizabeth City by a score of 55-6 at Memorial Field. Northern would move on to face Southwest Texas in the semifinals on the road and eventually lose, ending their season with an impressive 11-1 record. 

1981 Captains included: Bill Coon, Bryan Piester, Scott Sible, and Curt Wojan 

1981 Honors:

• All American - Tom Bertoldi, QB, A.P. Honorable Mention

• MVP - Tom Bertoldi, QB

• Outstanding Defensive Player - Curt Wojan, MG

• Outstanding Linebacker - Jim Szczepaniuk, ILB

• Outstanding Defensive Back - Peter Raeford, CB

• Outstanding Offensive Linemen - Bill Coon, C

• Outstanding Wide Receiver - Scott Sible, WR

• Outstanding Offensive Back - George Works, FB

• Outstanding Special Teams Player - Bryan Piester, MG

• Outstanding Freshmen - Mario Ferretti, PK

• Outstanding Scout Team Player - Paul Schield DB, Ron Thomas OT, Nick Weaver IB

1981 Games: 

Northern 38

No. Dakota State 0

Northern 64

UW Superior 10

Northern 52

Wayne State 7

Northern 29

Grand Valley 28

Northern 17

Northern Iowa 13

Northern 14

Northwood 0

Northern 28

Western Illinois 14

Northern 44

Michigan Tech 15

Northern 30

North Dakota 11

Northern 32

Wichita State 30

Playoffs:

Northern 55

Elizabeth City 6

Northern 0

Southwest Texas 62