Costly fumble leads to 18th straight loss
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan football team had a chance to earn its first victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, but an overtime fumble proved costly as the Wildcats fell to Roosevelt 16-10 in extra time at the Superior Dome.
On Northern’s third play of overtime, a botched snap turned the ball over to the Lakers, and they’d convert a few plays later on an 11-yard touchdown run for the 16-10 win.
NMU continued to have a strong and focused run game, opting for the ground on 48 of 50 (96.0%) of its plays. In total, NMU ran for 201 yards paced by 120 from Jahi Wood. It was the second straight game without a completion for NMU. The Lakers threw for 240 yards and ran for another 123.
Northern got on the board first, putting together a 15-play drive that resulted in a 35-yard FG from Michael Karlen. That would be the only score in the opening quarter, and the Lakers would score the only points in the second, also a 35-yard FG.
Each team fumbled deep in opponent territory late in the first half to keep the score deadlocked at 3-3 at the break.
Roosevelt’s opening drive in the third quarter resulted in the game’s first touchdown, a 4-yard run from Cyress Zuell. The drive lasted for nine plays and 82 yards, the longest drive of the afternoon.
NMU answered on its first drive in the fourth, getting QB Aidan Hoard across the goal line on a sneak from the 1-yard line to even it at 10 a side. The drive took 14 plays to cover 80 yards.
With the final minutes winding down, the ‘Cats started a drive from their own 8-yard line looking to put together a final march for a potential win. What looked promising to start didn’t end up as so, as Northern was forced to punt near midfield, giving Roosevelt a chance with just over two minutes left.
The Lakers were able to cross midfield thanks to a 30-yard completion over the middle of the field. Xavier Martinez came up with a big defensive play a couple of plays later, reading a play and coming up for a 2-yard tackle for loss.
Roosevelt’s 49-yard FG attempt to win it at time expired sailed left, sending the game to overtime.
With the ball first, NMU got an 8-yard run from Vince Martin, but fumbled a couple of plays later, resulting in a turnover and giving the Lakers a chance to score and win.
The Lakers did just that. An 11-yard run from Cyress Zuell sealed the win and gave Roosevelt its first victory in Division II.
Adam Saleh tied for the game lead with nine tackles, while Jason Coulter added two tackles for loss.
Up Next
The Wildcats will travel to Houghton next Saturday to take on the Michigan Tech Huskies for the Miner’s Cup. The opening kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. The game will be televised locally on TV6.
