DETROIT, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Football team traveled to Wayne State University to take on the Warriors.
In the first GLIAC matchup of the year, the Wildcats came out on top 37-30.
FIRST QUARTER
The Warriors won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, so the Wildcats got the ball first.
On the Wildcats' opening drive, they went three and out and were forced to punt it away to the Warriors.
The Warriors got on the board quickly, converting a twelve-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
It didn't take the Wildcats long to answer, as Tyshon King broke free for a 62-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and the game was all square at seven.
On the Warriors' next possession, they took the ball down the field and converted a one-yard rushing touchdown to put them on top 14-7 late in the first quarter.
The Wildcats got the ball back and started to move the ball. Zach Keen completed an eight-yard pass to Wyatt Davis. Then Tyshon King had a seven-yard run. Keen then completed his next three passes, one to Charlie Gerhard for 18-yards, and two to Brenden Sersaw for 13-yards and 14-yards. That brought the first quarter to an end.
Warriors 14, Wildcats 7.
SECOND QUARTER
As the second quarter began, the Wildcats continued to drive the ball down the field. They got the ball down to the one-yard line, where Zach Keen was able to punch it in for a one-yard rushing touchdown. The game was now 14-14.
After the Wildcat touchdown, the Warriors went down the field and put more points on the board. The Warriors were about to cross the goal line when they fumbled the ball into the endzone but were able to jump on top of it for a touchdown. The Warriors took a 21-14 lead.
Zach Keen started the next drive for the Wildcats with a twelve-yard completion to Cameron White. They weren't able to move the ball any further and were forced to punt.
The Warriors didn't do much on their next possession and punted it right back to the Wildcats.
Time was winding down in the second quarter and the Wildcats needed to put points on the board. They started the drive with a 23-yard completion from Zach Keen to Brenden Sersaw. A couple of plays later Keen completed a 29-yard pass to Sersaw. Faced with a 4th and 1, the Wildcats gained a first down off an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Warriors. That got the Wildcats closer to a field goal attempt. Daniel Riser came in and drilled a 20-yard field goal to come within four points at the half.
Warriors 21, Wildcats 17.
THIRD QUARTER
The Warriors got the ball to start the second half. They took the ball down the field and were able to kick a 37-yard field goal to go up 24-17.
On the Wildcats' first possession of the second half, they were able to move the ball down the field and convert a 27-yard field goal to bring the score to 24-20. One of the big plays during the drive was a 38-yard reception by Brenden Sersaw.
A big turning point in the game came on the Warriors' next possession when Tavion McCarthy came up with a huge interception to give the ball back to the Wildcats.
After the interception, Zach Keen completed a 15-yard pass to Wyatt Davis for a first down. In the next play, Keen completed a 14-yard pass to Kenyon'TA Skinner for another first down. After a sack by the Warriors, Zach Keen found Wyatt Davis in the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown. The Wildcats were able to capitalize on the turnover to take a 27-24 lead.
At the end of the third quarter, the score was Wildcats 27, Warriors 24.
FOURTH QUARTER
Early in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were faced with a 4th and 6. The Wildcats' defense came up with a crucial stop to get the ball back.
Brock Franklin got the drive started with a 25-yard rush. A few plays later Zach Keen found Tyshon King for a 19-yard touchdown. This extended the lead to 34-24.
The Wildcat defense forced another punt from the Warriors on their next possession.
Daniel Riser was able to connect on another field goal. This one was from 37-yards out.
The Warriors had to have a sense of urgency when they got the ball back. They were able to move the ball down the field, but the Wildcat defense came away with another takeaway. Brian Schieweck forced a fumble on a sack, the fumble was recovered by Justin Peake.
The Wildcats ran down the clock and punted it back to the Warriors.
The Warriors were able to put another touchdown on the board but it was too little too late.
Wildcats 37, Warriors 30.
HIGHLIGHTS
Tyshon King had a 62-yard rushing touchdown to get the Wildcats on the board.
Zach Keen was able to punch it into the endzone from one yard out.
Daniel Riser converted a 20-yard field goal right before the half, and then he converted a 27-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
Tavion McCarthy came away with a massive interception to give the ball back to the Wildcat offense.
Zach Keen found Wyatt Davis for a 12-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats the lead.
Zach Keen found Tyshon King for a 19-yard touchdown to extend the Wildcat lead.
Daniel Riser converted a 37-yard field goal to put the game out of reach.
The Wildcats' defense came away with two takeaways (an interception and a fumble recovery) and three sacks.
STATS LEADERS
Zach Keen completed 23 of 29 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.
Tyshon King led the way on the ground with 94-yards on 16 carries. He added a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.
Brenden Sersaw was the leading receiver for the Wildcats with 9 receptions for 146-yards and a touchdown.
DJ Hutcherson led the way on defense with seven total tackles. Antonio Howard, John McMullen, and Justin Peake all tallied six total tackles.
Tavion McCarthy came away with an interception.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats head home to host the Davenport University Panthers in the Superior Dome next Saturday at 1 p.m.
