MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan football team was deadlocked with the No. 8 Grand Valley State Lakers 7-7 at halftime on Saturday night in the Superior Dome, but NMU surrendered four touchdowns to the Lakers in the second half in a 35-7 defeat.

Northern's defense looked dominant in the opening half, limiting the high-octane GVSU offense to just seven points to go along with an interception from Murphy Monreal, two sacks, and three forced punts.

Offensively, the Wildcats totaled 242 yards while GVSU racked up 329. Noah Dobert led the way with 61 yards on 21 carries, including NMU's lone score, a 1-yard plunge late in the first half. On the defensive side, Jax Hertel (13) and Mitch Larkin (12) combined for 25 tackles.

On the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1975 National Championship Team, which included QB Steve Mariucci getting his jersey retired at halftime, the Wildcats put up a valiant fight against a perennial powerhouse. However, a few costly turnovers in the third quarter proved to be the difference.

Northern is now 0-3 in the GLIAC and 0-6 overall, while the Lakers improved to 2-0 in conference play and 4-1 on the season.


How it Happened
After a Wildcat three-and-out opened the game, the Lakers started their first possession in NMU territory. The Northern defense came to play, as they pushed the Lakers back across midfield and forced a punt. The Wildcats fumbled on their ensuing possession, giving GVSU another opportunity in plus territory, but Murphy Monreal made a beautiful break on a pass at the goal line, undercutting the receiver and securing the key interception.

The game remained scoreless after one, with the Wildcat defense holding GVSU to just 55 yards, including only three rushing yards on five attempts.

The defense carried over that tenacity to the second, as Jhermari Mabry added the team's second sack to force another punt. The Grand Valley defense was able to match that, giving the ball back to their offense. From there, the Lakers got on the board first with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Schuster to Kellen Reed on 4th-and-5, making it 7-0 with 5:43 left in the half.

Northern had the answer, as a nicely set-up screen pass to Jahi Wood went 44yards to the 8-yard line in the final two minutes. Although a penalty backed them up to 3rd-and-19, Trevor Theurkauf scrambled and evaded tacklers, reaching the 1-yard line. On 4th down, Noah Dobert punched it in with 30 seconds left to even the score at 7-7 heading into halftime, giving the 'Cats all the momentum they could ask for.

Defense was the calling card for both teams in the first half. The sides combined for two turnovers, two sacks, and seven punts. On offense, NMU outgained GVSU 162-145, holding a commanding 87-19 edge in rushing yards.

The Lakers didn't take long out of halftime to regain the lead, however, going 68 yards in five plays over 2:43, capped by a Zak Olejniczak to Lynn Wyche-El 24-yard touchdown pass. An interception set them up again, and they converted on a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Paschal Jolman to make it 21-7 with 6:28 left in the third. A second NMU interception led to another GVSU score, this time a 7-yard touchdown run from Kenyon Owens.

The Lakers outgained NMU 173-3 in the third quarter, capitalizing on a trio of Wildcat turnovers, each of which gave them possession in Northern territory and resulted in a touchdown. They added the last of those scores on the opening play of the fourth, as Kenneth Jones found the endzone to cap the scoring at 35-7.

Freshman quarterback Austin Gordon entered late, completing his first career pass to DJ Brooks.

Despite the loss, Northern's defense put together one of its most physical first halves of the season, holding a top offense in check for over 30 minutes.


Up Next
The Wildcats will be on the road next weekend in the Windy City, taking on the Roosevelt Lakers on Saturday, October 18. Opening kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.