Northern Hangs On To Beat Saginaw Valley, 36-34
MARQUETETE---The Northern Michigan University football team stopped a two-point conversion attempt in the final seconds and beat Saginaw Valley State, 36-34, Saturday at the Superior Dome. Escanaba native Austin Young had three catches, including a 49-yard touchdown reception. He also had three returns on special teams and recovered a fumble.
The following story is from NMU Sports Information:
Keshawn Walker broke up a two-point conversion attempt by Saginaw Valley State with 23 seconds remaining in the game to seal Northern Michigan's 36-34 victory Saturday afternoon at the Superior Dome in front of 1,523 fans.
With the win, the Wildcats stretched their unbeaten streak at the Superior Dome to three games and improved to 3-2 (2-2 GLIAC) on the season.
The Wildcats opened the scoring with zero seconds left on the clock in the first quarter when Aaron Harris rushed for a 10-yard score. On that drive, Shaye Brown connected withKeyondre Craig for a 57-yard reception to set Northern Michigan up in the red zone.
The Cardinals answered with a touchdown of their own on their next drive and then took their first lead of the game with 7:20 on the clock in the second quarter on a 14-yard Drew Herrell rushing touchdown.
But Northern Michigan quickly regained the momentum when Marcus Tucker ran the kickoff 69 yards to the Saginaw Valley State 22. It didn't take long for the Wildcats to find the end zone, with Brown pulling a quarterback keeper for a one-yard score. A failed extra point kept the Cardinals in the lead, 14-13, at the half.
Early in the third quarter, Brown found Austin Young open along the sideline, and the senior scampered 49 yards for his first touchdown of the season. On the two-point conversion attempt, Tucker caught a pass in the corner from Brown to give the Wildcats a 21-14 advantage.
Saginaw Valley State tied the game at 21 apiece at 6:27 in the third when Bryan Fobbs hauled in a 22-yard pass from Brad Odeman Jr.
But Northern Michigan responded on its next drive with a touchdown when Brown connected with Paris Woods for a 31-yard touchdown. A bad snap kept the Wildcats from attempting the field goal, but JT Jurasin came up with it and bulled his way into the end zone for the two-point conversion.
Northern Michigan extended its lead to 36-21 at 11:26 in the fourth quarter on a one-yard Terrance Dye rushing touchdown. Saginaw Valley pulled within two points with two late fourth quarter touchdowns, including one in the last 23 seconds, but couldn't force overtime thanks to Walker's heroics.
Brown totaled 216 yards and two touchdowns on 14 for 26 passing. The Cardinals outgained the Wildcats, 464-276.
Matt Boonstra (12) and Darryl Williams (11) led the team in tackles. Jared Vuksantotaled two sacks, including a pivotal one late in the fourth quarter to stall a Saginaw Valley State drive.
Northern Michigan last won three-straight at home during the 2010 campaign.
The Wildcats will look to extend their unbeaten home winning streak to four games when they take on Malone Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
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