ROUGH OPENER: Wildcats Fall To No. 17 Bulldogs

This story was written by NMU Sports Information. Click the AUDIO burtons to hear post-game comments from Coach Shane Richardson, and to hear RRN's Casey Ford call a Wildcat touchdown.

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan football team opened up the 2024 campaign on Thursday night in the Superior Dome against the No. 17 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, falling 35-7.

The Wildcat defense opened the game with a four-down stand after a Jhermari Mabry sack set the Bulldogs back. NMU's offense was unable to carry over the momentum, turning it over on an interception on the third play from scrimmage. UMD capitalized and found the endzone to lead 6-0 ten minutes into the night.

The Green and Gold offense had trouble finding a rhythm throughout the first half, but the defense was up to the challenge and kept the 'Cats close come halftime, trailing 13-0.

Northern had an opportunity to come out of intermission with the ball and cut the game to a one-score deficit, but a 3-and-out was followed by a UMD score at 8:25 of the third to make it 21-0. The Bulldogs would find the endzone again before quarter's end to lead 28-0 after three.

A UMD 56-yard score from Chuck Gilbert III widened the gap to 35-0 early in the fourth. The Wildcats fought back with a march down the field that resulted in a nice-looking corner fade from Aidan Hoard to Michael Love for a 15-yard touchdown for the final score of the night.

After leading the GLIAC in tackles a season ago, Mitch Larkin picked up right where he left off, leading either side with 11, nine coming in the first half. Tim Shannon followed with nine while Jhermari Mabry had a nice day in the trenches with a pair of tackles for loss.

Duluth outgained Northern 562-112 on the night, with UMD's Kyle Walljasper throwing for 312 yards through the air and four scores. Freshman Jahi Wood was the top gainer for the 'Cats, picking up 22 net yards on the ground.

NMU continued to play clean football as they did a year ago, only getting flagged for one penalty on the night. Owen Halverson also impressed in punt duty, averaging 42.6 yards/punt including a long of 60 and another beautifully placed kick inside the five.

The Wildcats return to the gridiron next Thursday with a trip to the Bluegrass State in a first-ever matchup with Kentucky Wesleyan. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.