The Falcons, who put up a school record in total offense last week against an NAIA school, showed that it was no fluke as they used a big-play offense to counter every Wildcat score.
UTPB scored on its opening possession after recovering its own fumble and converting a third-and-long play. Quarterback Kameron Mathias scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to put the Falcons on top, but the ‘Cats came back with a nice drive that featured two Ryan Knight catches and capped off by a five-yard TD run by freshman Tyshon King.
The second quarter was rough for the Wildcat defense as UTPB switched to quarterback Taylor Null with the wind at his back. He threw touchdown passes of 81 and 21 yards, and even though Brady Nelson blocked an extra point kick, the Falcons led, 20-7.
NMU put together a nice two-minute drive to end the half, as Johnson scrambled to convert a third down into a first down in the red zone, and he found Ben Loutsis on an 18-yard pass to the one yard-line. Johnson then threw to Ravon Johnson for a one-yard score, bringing the ‘Cats to within 20-14 at halftime.
Things went badly for the Wildcats from there, however, as the UTPB offense kept chewing up big plays both on the ground and in the air.
The NMU defense was able to hold in the red zone, forcing the Falcons to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Hayden Decossas, putting the home team ahead, 23-21. The Wildcat offense continued to sputter and the Falcons went on a 77-yard drive that ended on a nine-yard touchdown run by Marquis Simmons. That made it 30-21.
Numerous penalties have the Wildcats poor field position, and the ‘Cats were backed up to their own two yard line early in the fourth quarter. King got them out of trouble though with a 75-yard run that set the Wildcats up deep in UTPB territory.
The ‘Cats got close on a 13-yard pass to Loutsis, giving them a first and goal at the one yard line. Northern could not punch it in though, with three straight running plays being stuffed by the UTPB defense. The Wildcats settled for a Riser 18-yard field goal to close the score to 30-24 with 9:20 left in the game.
They got icing on the cake with a touchdown in the final three minutes to win going away, 40-24.
Ryan Johnson finished the night 20-35 for 246 yards and a touchdown.
Loutsis tallied six receptions and 74 yards while Ravon Johnson also had six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. Knight added four receptions and 51 yards and Bruinius finished with two catches for 44 yards.
On the ground, King notched 99 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns. As a team, the Wildcats totaled 181 yards on the ground, averaging 5.7 yards a carry.
The Wildcat defense made several big plays in the game. In the first quarter, the Falcons had the ball at the NMU 23-yard line and were facing 4th and 9. Sophomore John McMullen ended the UTPB drive with 19-yard sack to set up the Wildcats offense.
Later in the first quarter after an NMU turnover, sophomore Mequon Hudson forced a fumble on the Falcons' third play that sophomore Jack Reiger recovered.
Sophomore Isaac Darkangelo led the defense with 13 tackles. Junior Brady Hanson added 11 tackles with Anthony Ladd posting 10. In addition to McMullen's sack, redshirt freshman Antonio Howard Jr. also recorded a sack for eight yards.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and video highlights, and hear post-game comments from Coach Kyle Nystrom. Also listen to player spotlight interviews with Ryan Johnson and Austin Potter and some radio highlights.
