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HEARTBROKEN AGAIN: Tech Outlasts Northern
 HOUGHTON---The heartbreak continues for the Northern Michigan University football team against its biggest rivals. The Wildcat defense recovered five fumbles for the second time this season, but it wasn't enough as the Michigan Tech Huskies beat NMU, 24-20, Saturday in Houghton.  And as usual, it went down to the wire. Michigan Tech quarterback Will Ark threw a ten-yard tochdown pass to Ben Hartley with 7:24 left in the game, then the Huskies stopped the Wildcat offense on two possessions down teh stretch to secure the win. It was Ark's third touchdown pass of the game, with the other two going to fellow senior Jake Wenzlick. "It was the passing game, on both sides of the ball," NMU Coach Kule Nystrom said. "We couldn't stop them on routes. I knew we'd struggle with 2 and 5 (Wenzlick and Hartley). That was basically the problem. And we just couldn't throw the ball well enough to even things up. And that's the game. That's basically it." Ark completed 21 of 30 passes for 347 yards. At the same time, NMU quarterback Ryan Johnson was able to complete just 6-of-17 passes for 158 yards. Incidentally, Ark and Johnson are both from the Green Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon. Johnson says it's a tough pill to swallow, but he and his team will keep trying to get better.  The NMU defense gave up a lot of yards, but also did its job at creating takeaways. The Wildcats recovered five fumbles for the second time in three weeks, after also turning the trick against Ferris State. Combined with two interceptions against Wayne State in last week's game, the 'Cats have forced 12 turnovers in the last three weeks. "That one stings a lot," NMU Offensive Coordinator Dan Fordocy said. "When the defense recovers five fumbles again and we only put 20 points on the board, it's hard to blame anybody but the offense. I'm at a loss for that one. The kids battled." "The effort's there," Fodrocy continued. "We had our chances, but we just couldn't, in the second half, get the momentum and kind of keep it going. That one's tough and I feel for the kids. We just didn't play well enough offensively in the second half to win that game." Even so, the 'Cats did have flashes, after falling behind 10-0 early in the second quarter. After Daniel Riser connected on field goals of 40 and 26 yards, the 'Cats converted a turnover into a touchdown when Johnson found a wide-open Ravon Johnson in the end zone for a 27-yard strike. Northern led at the half, 13-10.  King took care of the rest, taking it 75 yards for the touchdown, and after Riser's PAT kick, Northern led, 20-17. The Wildcat defense forced another turnover as the Huskies were preparing to score, but the offense could not get a first down, putting John Kwiecinski out to punt from his own end zone. Tech took over at the 45 yard-line, and moments later, Ark tossed it to Hartley for the go-ahead touchdown. Northern moved the ball to the 45 yard-line with two minutes left in the game, but could not get another first down, and Tech ran out the clock to improve to 3-2 on the season. Antonio Howard Jr. led the defense with 13 tackles along with two fumble recoveries and three pass breakups. Brady Hanson contributed 10 tackles along with his two forced fumbles. Anothy Ladd aided the effort with eight tackles and added a forced fumble, fumble recovery and pass breakup.  |
