HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Northern Michigan football team battled for the Miner's Cup at Michigan Tech on Saturday afternoon, falling 39-9. 

Northern's touchdown came late in the fourth quarter on a 33-yard run from Tucker Welch, the longest rush of his career. Mike Karlen also added a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter to complete the scoring for NMU. 

NMU totaled 210 yards with 123 of those coming on the ground. The Wildcat defense forced three turnovers on the afternoon including multiple interceptions for the first time this season. Jacquille Brown got in the passing lane for his first of the season while Kade Manzo picked off his team-leading second of the season.   

The Huskies got on the board first with a 42-yard field goal in the opening quarter. NMU outgained the Huskies 72-34 in the opening quarter and would tie the game early in the second on Karlen's field goal. 

Michigan Tech would find the endzone twice before halftime, along with another field goal, to lead 20-3 at the break. Nico Lukkarinen mustered 71 ground yards through the first 30 minutes of play. 

NMU's defense forced two turnovers early in the third quarter, but were unable to move the ball on offense. Tech found the endzone once in the third and two more times in the final quarter before Welch's TD run rounded out the scoring on the afternoon.  


Up Next
The Wildcats will be home next Saturday for the final time of the season, taking on Ferris State on Senior Day with the opening kickoff set for 1 p.m.