MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan football team fell to the Northern State Wolves 44-20 on Saturday at the Superior Dome in the final game of the 2023 season.
Aidan Hoard and NMU had 286 yards through the air, the second-best output this season, but five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) plagued the 'Cats, setting up NSU with good field position several times.
Northern State led 14-0 after the first quarter on a pair of touchdown passes from Jacob Van Landingham, one a 22-yard connection to Dakota Larson and the other 47 yards to Dewaylon Ingram.
A blocked punt resulted in a 16-0 score early in the second, followed by another touchdown to Ingram to make it 23-0, Mike Karlen got the Wildcats on the board on a 31-yard field goal to make it 23-3 with seven minutes and change left in the opening half. Van Landingham's fourth TD toss of the first half and another field goal from Karlen made it 30-6 at the break.
NSU's Hank Kraft would have his hand in the third quarter, returning an 88-yard kickoff for a score then following it up with a 49-yard TD run to make it 44-6.
Aidan Hoard would connect with
Tyquan Cox, back from injury, for a 7-yard TD pass late in the third quarter to make it 44-13 heading to the third.
The Wildcats racked up 152 yards in the final frame and got the only score on a 24-yard pass from Hoard to
Sam Peiffer, leading to the final score of 44-20.
Peiffer (91 yards) and
Michael Love (89 yards) combined for 180 yards receiving for Northern.
Mitch Larkin once again led NMU on defense with 12 tackles and his first interception of the season. He concluded the campaign with an impressive 116 tackles leading the Green and Gold defense. He also contributed half a sack with
Darryl Obasuyi.
In total, Northern State outgained Northern Michigan 481-323 in the season finale.
