MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan football team fell to No. 2 Grand Valley State 73-14 on Saturday, October 21, at the Superior Dome. Charlie Gerhard scored a 54-yard touchdown and Brock Franklin also found the endzone for NMU.

GVSU totaled 609 yards in the contest to NMU's 279. Mitch Larkin continued to pace the conference in tackles, adding 13 in the game. Ricky Lancaster caused the lone turnover with his interception. 

The loss drops the Wildcats to 0-8 on the season, while the Lakers improved to 6-1. 


How it Happened
GVSU marched 75 yards in five plays on its opening drive, capped by a Tariq Reid 7-yard touchdown. Reid had a 56-yard run to set up the Lakers a few plays prior. On their next drive, they went 69 yards in four plays, scoring on a 31-yard run from Cody Tierney. Northern crossed midfield late in the first but failed to convert on 4th down. 

Leading by two scores after one, GVSU's Reid found the endzone again moments into the second quarter to lead 21-0. An interception on the ensuing NMU drive set the Lakers up at the 5-yard line, scoring again for a 28-0 lead. 

The Green and Gold methodically moved the ball on its next drive, crossing midfield on three first downs. What looked like a fourth that would have moved the ball near the redzone was negated by a questionable offensive pass interference call, giving possession back to GVSU. Ricky Lancaster secured his first interception for Northern on GV's following drive, but GVSU tacked on a 53-yard FG as time expired, making it 31-0 at halftime.  

The Lakers scored to open the second half, a 30-yard connection from Cade Peterson to Tierney. On the next play, a botched exchange for NMU resulted in another score for GVSU, making it 45-0 minutes into the half. Kellen Reed would score again to make it 52-0. 

On NMU's following possession, Aidan Hoard connected with Charlie Gerhard over the middle, who then cut back and out-raced the defender to the endzone for a 54-yard touchdown. It was the longest reception of his career and just the second time he's found the endzone in his collegiate tenure. 

Grand Valley scored three more times from Derrick Woods and Reed along with a pick-six from Tommy Barnett. NMU's Brock Franklin punched in his second score of the season in the final minute to finalize the score at 73-14. 


Up Next
Northern will conclude the homestand next weekend as Wayne State comes to the Superior Dome for a clash on Saturday, October 28.