MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University football team has two games left in the season and will travel to the Grand Rapids metropolitan this weekend to take on the Davenport Panthers on their Senior Day on Saturday, November 9 at noon.
The Wildcats (0-9, 0-5) have two more cracks at picking up a victory this season while the Panthers (6-3, 3-2) are looking to bounce back after falling at Saginaw Valley State last weekend.
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Saturday, November 9 - at Davenport at 12 p.m.
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A Word from Shane Richardson
"We have to continue to experience our successes and eliminate the negativity in our minds and our emotions and continue to move forward in a positive way."
Last Time Out
In the final home game of the season, Northern Michigan fell to the No. 2 Ferris State Bulldogs, 55-9.
For the Green and Gold, the day was highlighted by one of the final plays of the day, a 78-yard touchdown connection between seniors
Jake Bilitz and
Michael Love, the longest score in each of their careers.
NMU's other scoring came via a safety, the first in six years for Northern.
Vince Martin broke through the middle and got his hand on a punt that ricocheted through the back of the endzone for the two-point score late in the first half.
Cat Nips
- The Green and Gold field one of the youngest teams in the nation, with 42 of 96 (43.8%) of the roster consisting of first-year players. Underclassmen makeup 68 of the 96 (70.8%) roster spots.
- Freshman Jahi Wood (476) is 4th in the conference in rushing while Elizin Rouse (236), Nico Lukkarinen (232), and Vince Martin (227) rank 19th-21st respectively. Lukkarinen's 3 TD runs rank 12th in the conference. The Wildcats have the 4th best rushing attack in the league at 148.9 yards/game.
- Michael Love is 3rd in the conference with 5 TD catches this season and 5th with 443 receiving yards. His 78-yard TD reception last week vs. Ferris State is the 4th longest offensive touchdown in the GLIAC. Love's two touchdown catches against UW-La Crosse earlier this season marked the first time a Wildcat receiver found the endzone twice in a game since September 24, 2022 when Wyatt Davis went for two scores on Homecoming in a 42-14 win over Post.
- The 78-yard reception between Jake Bilitz and Michael Love last week vs. Ferris State was the longest since Tyshon King's 90-yard catch on October 29, 2022, also vs. Ferris State.
- Adam Saleh has vaulted up the GLIAC tackles leaderboard, as his 56 tackles this season currently rank 5th, while his 40 solo tackles are 2nd. He has recorded at least five total tackles in each game he has played this season.
- NMU is tied for 2nd in the conference with eight forced fumbles.
- NMU's 269 yards on the ground at UW-La Crosse earlier this year marked its best ground effort since the 2018 season.
- Michael Karlen is a perfect 7-7 on FG's and 14-15 on PAT's this season.
A Look at Davenport
After winning three straight in conference play, the Panthers are coming off of their second league blemish last weekend, a 24-14 defeat at Saginaw Valley State. Davenport did not score until the final quarter and were led by freshman QB Mac VandenHout who ran for a score and threw for another.
The Panthers offense is led by RB Myren Harris, whose 716 yards lead the conference while his four TD runs are also in the top-10. The defense has racked up 26 sacks, led by Geemontae Peck with 4.5, Deeb Alawan with 4, and Austin Alward and Reed Snitker each at 3.5.
Davenport has made its biggest impression on special teams, as its 30.3 kickoff return average is the best mark in the country. Antjuan Collins has been the driving factor with 14 returns for 464 yards and two house calls.
About the Series
Davenport has won the last four matchups including a 28-12 victory last season. Overall, the Wildcats are 2-6 vs. DU.
