Click the AUDIO buttons to hear player spotlight interviews with NMU's Eddy Pierson and Stanton Johnson. Photos courtesy of NMU and GVSU.
This story is courtesy of NMU Sports Information.
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University football team (3-5, 1-3 GLIAC) played close with the No. 8 team in the nation for the full 60 minutes in a 28-24 loss to Grand Valley State University in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action.
NMU forced the Lakers to punt on their first drive and took over with 13:43 in the first half.
Three complete passes from Drake Davis and positive runs from Davis, Tyquan Cox, and Zach Keen found the Wildcats at the GVSU six facing fourth and two.
Daniel Riser came out to take the field goal attempt and sent the ball between the uprights for a 3-0 NMU lead. The opening drive for the home team took a little over five minutes of game time.
The Lakers put the first touchdown of the game up with a little under a minute left in the first quarter.
With 48 seconds left in the first, the Wildcats got the ball again looking to answer the GVSU score.
The drive lasted a little over four minutes and featured the longest passing play the 'Cats had on the day. The 30-yard bomb from Drake Davis to Isaiah Popp placed NMU at their opponents' 20.
Scoring on the drive again fell to Riser. He put in a 22-yard field goal to pull the Wildcats within one at 7-6.
With NMU down 14-6 late in the second quarter after a GVSU touchdown the 'Cats needed a score.
It was the defense who set the home team up with good field position as Brady Hanson intercepted a Laker pass and returned it to the GVSU 47. John McMullen hurried the quarterback on the play.
The momentum stayed with the Wildcats as the first play of the drive was a Tyquan Cox run that went for 27 yards and put NMU in the red zone.
Four Cox rushes and a Grand Valley Illegal Formation penalty later, the 'Cats faced third and one.
A Stewart run went for a loss of one yard and the Wildcats were faced with fourth and two just two yards out from the end zone.
A little bit of trickery came next.
NMU lined up as if Riser was going to attempt a field goal from the 10-yard line. Before the snap the team switched formations which had the GVSU defense caught off guard.
Wide receiver Isaiah Popp threw the ball to Kyle Sahr in the left corner of the end zone for the successful touchdown on the trick play.
Riser nailed the extra point and the teams went into the locker room with NMU trailing 14-13.
Two Laker touchdowns and a Riser field goal set the score at 28-16 in favor of the visitors with seven minutes left in regulation.
The home team used over six minutes of game time on the drive and ran 16 plays in search of a late score.
Starting at the NMU 25, the team chipped away using a balanced passing and rushing attack to find themselves at first and goal with five yards to go.
The Wildcats again benefitted from the Davis-to-Davis connection as Drake threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt to move the score to 28-22.
NMU went for two and converted it with Davis finding Popp in the right side of the end zone.
GVSU was able to run the clock down and escape the Superior Dome with the 28-24 win.
Drake Davis had 225 yards through the air on a 24-37 day. His passing yardage was five yards short of his season-high. Davis also threw for a touchdown that went to his brother Wyatt Davis.
Wyatt Davis led the Wildcats in receiving again with a 97 yard and one touchdown performance on Saturday. His yardage is the second-most for the freshman this season.
Kyle Sahr reeled in the other NMU touchdown grab. The score came on the 'Cats' fake field goal play.
Will Borchert had a team-high 11 total tackles. Four came solo and seven were assisted.
Andre Whitley led NMU with seven solo tackles in the game.
Both of the Wildcats' tackles for loss and the team's sack came courtesy of John McMullen. He had two tackles for loss which resulted in a loss of 14 yards. McMullen also added a sack for a loss of 12 yards and four quarterback hurries.
Tavion McCarthy, Antonio Howard Jr., and Kobie Jamison each had a pass breakup.
A momentum-shifting interception was hauled in by Brady Hanson. It went for 13 yards.
As a team, the Wildcats completed all three of their fourth-down conversions. NMU also led in time of possession with 34:41 to the Lakers' 26:19.
Next weekend the Wildcats travel downstate to face the No. 1 team in the nation in Ferris State University. Kick-off in Big Rapids is set for 1 p.m.
THIS STORY IS COURTESY OF GRAND VALLEY STATE ATHLETICS
#8 Grand Valley State picked up a 28-24 GLIAC road win at Northern Michigan Saturday afternoon at the Superior Dome. The Lakers improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC action. The Lakers will host Michigan Tech next Saturday in the annual Homecoming affair. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium.
Northern Michigan kicked a field goal on its opening possession for a 3-0 lead and the Lakers fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the Wildcats another possession deep in the GVSU territory. NMU worked inside the 10-yard line, but Allante Leapheart forced a fumble that Antonio Strong picked up and returned to the 6-yard line. The Laker offense then drove 94 yards in nine plays for the first of senior RB Bryce Young-Walls' two rushing TDs on the day. The touchdown run covered two yards and Kolin Kralapp kicked the first of his four PATs for a 7-3 lead. NMU added another field goal before the Lakers went on an 8-play, 76-yard scoring drive. Young-Walls scored again, this one from 1-yard out to give GVSU a 14-6 lead.
NMU scored on the final play of the first half on a fake, razzle-dazzle field goal with no time left on the clock and added the PAT to pull within one point after 30 minutes of action.
"We needed to get a stop on Northern Michigan's opening possession of the second half and we were able to do that, followed by a nice scoring drive that increased our lead to 21-13," said head coach Matt Mitchell.
Following that three-and-out for the GVSU defense, QB Cade Peterson directed a 9-play, 85-yard scoring drive that concluded with a Peterson to WR Jacob Miller 23-yard pass play. Kralapp converted the PAT for a 21-13 GVSU lead.
The Laker defense forced yet another field goal early in the fourth quarter to pull the Wildcats within 21-16, but GVSU answered with a 7-play, 75-yard scoring drive to increase the lead to 28-16. The final 37 yards was a Peterson to WR Jaylon Tillman TD pass after RB Tariq Reid took the handoff and shoveled the ball back to Peterson who hit a wide-open Tillman at the 5-yard line. Tillman scampered the final five yards into the endzone for the score with 7:23 left in the game.
Leading 28-16 Northern Michigan embarked on a 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive that concluded with a score and 2-point conversion to set the final score at 28-24. GVSU's Jack Provencher recovered the onside kick and the Laker offensive line plowed through the NMU defense in front on Young-Walls to pick up a first down and seal the game.
"We had some things not go our way, but the defense forced field goals and the offense came up with timely scores. Northern Michigan played well and executed their game plan, but I will give our guys a lot of credit for sticking together and coming out with a league road win," added Mitchell.
GVSU ran just 54 offensive plays that produced 376 yards of total offense (6.9 ypp), 146 on the ground and 230 through the air. Peterson completed 17-of-22 passes for 230 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 38 yards on seven carries. Young-Walls rushed for 56 yards and two TDs on 11 carries, Aryuan Cain-Veasey 31 on six carries and Tariq Reid 23 on six carries.
Cody Tierney caught five passes for 51 yards, Tillman added two catches for 65 yards and a TD, while Miller hauled in two catches for 46 yards. Provencher caught two passes for 24 yards.
The Laker defense was stellar, yielding just 329 yards of total offense on 74 plays (4.4 ypp). GVSU forced three field goals and forced a turnover when the Wildcats drove inside the GVSU 20-yard line. NMU rushed for 102 yards on 34 carries and passed for 227 yards on 26 completions. Sophomore LB Abe Swanson led the defense with a career-high 17 tackles and a QB sack, followed by Jon'Tavous Webb's seven tackles and a key pass break up. Damonte McCurdy chipped in six tackles, a QB sack and 1.5 TFL.
The victory was the Lakers' 299th all-time in GLIAC action (299-77-3).
This story is courtesy of NMU Sports Information.
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University football team (3-5, 1-3 GLIAC) played close with the No. 8 team in the nation for the full 60 minutes in a 28-24 loss to Grand Valley State University in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action.
NMU forced the Lakers to punt on their first drive and took over with 13:43 in the first half.
Three complete passes from Drake Davis and positive runs from Davis, Tyquan Cox, and Zach Keen found the Wildcats at the GVSU six facing fourth and two.
Daniel Riser came out to take the field goal attempt and sent the ball between the uprights for a 3-0 NMU lead. The opening drive for the home team took a little over five minutes of game time.
The Lakers put the first touchdown of the game up with a little under a minute left in the first quarter.
With 48 seconds left in the first, the Wildcats got the ball again looking to answer the GVSU score.
The drive lasted a little over four minutes and featured the longest passing play the 'Cats had on the day. The 30-yard bomb from Drake Davis to Isaiah Popp placed NMU at their opponents' 20.
Scoring on the drive again fell to Riser. He put in a 22-yard field goal to pull the Wildcats within one at 7-6.
With NMU down 14-6 late in the second quarter after a GVSU touchdown the 'Cats needed a score.
It was the defense who set the home team up with good field position as Brady Hanson intercepted a Laker pass and returned it to the GVSU 47. John McMullen hurried the quarterback on the play.
The momentum stayed with the Wildcats as the first play of the drive was a Tyquan Cox run that went for 27 yards and put NMU in the red zone.
Four Cox rushes and a Grand Valley Illegal Formation penalty later, the 'Cats faced third and one.
A Stewart run went for a loss of one yard and the Wildcats were faced with fourth and two just two yards out from the end zone.
A little bit of trickery came next.
NMU lined up as if Riser was going to attempt a field goal from the 10-yard line. Before the snap the team switched formations which had the GVSU defense caught off guard.
Wide receiver Isaiah Popp threw the ball to Kyle Sahr in the left corner of the end zone for the successful touchdown on the trick play.
Riser nailed the extra point and the teams went into the locker room with NMU trailing 14-13.
Two Laker touchdowns and a Riser field goal set the score at 28-16 in favor of the visitors with seven minutes left in regulation.
The home team used over six minutes of game time on the drive and ran 16 plays in search of a late score.
Starting at the NMU 25, the team chipped away using a balanced passing and rushing attack to find themselves at first and goal with five yards to go.
The Wildcats again benefitted from the Davis-to-Davis connection as Drake threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Wyatt to move the score to 28-22.
NMU went for two and converted it with Davis finding Popp in the right side of the end zone.
GVSU was able to run the clock down and escape the Superior Dome with the 28-24 win.
Drake Davis had 225 yards through the air on a 24-37 day. His passing yardage was five yards short of his season-high. Davis also threw for a touchdown that went to his brother Wyatt Davis.
Wyatt Davis led the Wildcats in receiving again with a 97 yard and one touchdown performance on Saturday. His yardage is the second-most for the freshman this season.
Kyle Sahr reeled in the other NMU touchdown grab. The score came on the 'Cats' fake field goal play.
Will Borchert had a team-high 11 total tackles. Four came solo and seven were assisted.
Andre Whitley led NMU with seven solo tackles in the game.
Both of the Wildcats' tackles for loss and the team's sack came courtesy of John McMullen. He had two tackles for loss which resulted in a loss of 14 yards. McMullen also added a sack for a loss of 12 yards and four quarterback hurries.
Tavion McCarthy, Antonio Howard Jr., and Kobie Jamison each had a pass breakup.
A momentum-shifting interception was hauled in by Brady Hanson. It went for 13 yards.
As a team, the Wildcats completed all three of their fourth-down conversions. NMU also led in time of possession with 34:41 to the Lakers' 26:19.
Next weekend the Wildcats travel downstate to face the No. 1 team in the nation in Ferris State University. Kick-off in Big Rapids is set for 1 p.m.
THIS STORY IS COURTESY OF GRAND VALLEY STATE ATHLETICS
#8 Grand Valley State picked up a 28-24 GLIAC road win at Northern Michigan Saturday afternoon at the Superior Dome. The Lakers improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC action. The Lakers will host Michigan Tech next Saturday in the annual Homecoming affair. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium.
Northern Michigan kicked a field goal on its opening possession for a 3-0 lead and the Lakers fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the Wildcats another possession deep in the GVSU territory. NMU worked inside the 10-yard line, but Allante Leapheart forced a fumble that Antonio Strong picked up and returned to the 6-yard line. The Laker offense then drove 94 yards in nine plays for the first of senior RB Bryce Young-Walls' two rushing TDs on the day. The touchdown run covered two yards and Kolin Kralapp kicked the first of his four PATs for a 7-3 lead. NMU added another field goal before the Lakers went on an 8-play, 76-yard scoring drive. Young-Walls scored again, this one from 1-yard out to give GVSU a 14-6 lead.
NMU scored on the final play of the first half on a fake, razzle-dazzle field goal with no time left on the clock and added the PAT to pull within one point after 30 minutes of action.
"We needed to get a stop on Northern Michigan's opening possession of the second half and we were able to do that, followed by a nice scoring drive that increased our lead to 21-13," said head coach Matt Mitchell.
Following that three-and-out for the GVSU defense, QB Cade Peterson directed a 9-play, 85-yard scoring drive that concluded with a Peterson to WR Jacob Miller 23-yard pass play. Kralapp converted the PAT for a 21-13 GVSU lead.
The Laker defense forced yet another field goal early in the fourth quarter to pull the Wildcats within 21-16, but GVSU answered with a 7-play, 75-yard scoring drive to increase the lead to 28-16. The final 37 yards was a Peterson to WR Jaylon Tillman TD pass after RB Tariq Reid took the handoff and shoveled the ball back to Peterson who hit a wide-open Tillman at the 5-yard line. Tillman scampered the final five yards into the endzone for the score with 7:23 left in the game.
Leading 28-16 Northern Michigan embarked on a 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive that concluded with a score and 2-point conversion to set the final score at 28-24. GVSU's Jack Provencher recovered the onside kick and the Laker offensive line plowed through the NMU defense in front on Young-Walls to pick up a first down and seal the game.
"We had some things not go our way, but the defense forced field goals and the offense came up with timely scores. Northern Michigan played well and executed their game plan, but I will give our guys a lot of credit for sticking together and coming out with a league road win," added Mitchell.
GVSU ran just 54 offensive plays that produced 376 yards of total offense (6.9 ypp), 146 on the ground and 230 through the air. Peterson completed 17-of-22 passes for 230 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 38 yards on seven carries. Young-Walls rushed for 56 yards and two TDs on 11 carries, Aryuan Cain-Veasey 31 on six carries and Tariq Reid 23 on six carries.
Cody Tierney caught five passes for 51 yards, Tillman added two catches for 65 yards and a TD, while Miller hauled in two catches for 46 yards. Provencher caught two passes for 24 yards.
The Laker defense was stellar, yielding just 329 yards of total offense on 74 plays (4.4 ypp). GVSU forced three field goals and forced a turnover when the Wildcats drove inside the GVSU 20-yard line. NMU rushed for 102 yards on 34 carries and passed for 227 yards on 26 completions. Sophomore LB Abe Swanson led the defense with a career-high 17 tackles and a QB sack, followed by Jon'Tavous Webb's seven tackles and a key pass break up. Damonte McCurdy chipped in six tackles, a QB sack and 1.5 TFL.
The victory was the Lakers' 299th all-time in GLIAC action (299-77-3).
