MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University Football team will be on the road this weekend, as they look to play spoiler against the nation's No.1 team, Ferris State. The game is set for Saturday, November 1, with the opening kickoff at 1 p.m.
The Wildcats are coming off a loss to rival Michigan Tech, 56-17. Northern finished with 345 yards of total offense, including 270 on the ground, but couldn't overcome a fast start by the Huskies, who led 21-3 at the half. NMU now turns its attention to the road ahead, traveling to Big Rapids to take on the top-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs in a GLIAC matchup.
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From the Coach
"To me, it's just how can we get back to some of the things that we hold close to the program, how we've really invested in our process, and get back to being true to ourselves in terms of Wildcat football."
Last Time Out
NMU fell in the annual Miner's Cup game to rival Michigan Tech last weekend. After three redzone trips for the Wildcats resulted in only three points on the board, the Huskies went up 21-3 at the half, and never looked back.
Trevor Theuerkauf led the Wildcat offense on the ground with 106 rushing yards, while also throwing for 75 yards. Ian Engstrem caught four passes, including his first career touchdown in the closing minutes.
What to Expect
The Wildcats will look to regroup and come out strong against a Ferris State defense that is allowing just 12.3 points to conference opponents this season. NMU is averaging 261.1 rushing yards per game, placing them eighth in the country and second in the GLIAC.
Noah Dobert ranks second in the GLIAC in rushing yards with 890, averaging 111.3 yards per game. Quarterback
Trevor Theuerkauf is coming off his best rushing game, with 106 yards, but also had a solid day through the air, accumulating 75 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions as he looks to build off a clean performance.
Defensively, the 'Cats will look to regroup after a tough day against Michigan Tech. Northern will look to impose their will in the trenches, led by
Jax Hertel,
Mitch Larkin, and
Jhermari Mabry. So far this season, opponents are averaging 136.3 rushing yards and 4.5 yards per carry. The front seven for NMU must win the line of scrimmage to limit the explosive run plays that were allowed just a week ago.
The dynamic Bulldogs offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Wyatt Bower, who is averaging 182.8 passing yards per game and has an impressive 17 touchdowns with zero interceptions. Bower can also run, tallying just under 75 yards per game. In the pass game, Ferris State likes to share the wealth, having five receivers all averaging 20 or more yards per game. However, junior Taariik Brett is the main pass catcher for the Bulldogs' offense, averaging nearly 40 yards, and was recently named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his four-touchdown performance against Grand Valley State.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are anchored by DB Ahlston Ware, who leads in tackles (37) to go along with his two interceptions this season. FSU is also led by defensive lineman Kailib Davis, who has five sacks on the year. As a unit, the Bulldogs are top-10 nationally in total defense (257.5 ypg), rushing defense (63.9 ypg), scoring defense, and turnover margin.
