Football Earns 54-31 Win Over Quincy

The Northwood Timberwolves football team opened the 2012 season with a 54-31 victory over Quincy Friday night (August 31).

The game was held at the Midland Community Stadium. It was also a non-conference matchup.

After holding Quincy to a three-and-out on the first possession of the game, Northwood needed just two plays to take the early lead. Senior quarterback Aaron Shavers (Detroit, Mich./Inkster) found junior wide receiver Eric Williams (Romulus, Mich./Inkster) on a 53-yard touchdown strike to put Northwood up 7-0.

The Hawks later kicked a field goal, but Northwood extended their lead late in the first quarter. After Williams returned a punt 46 yards, the Timberwolves scored again on a two-play drive. Cameron Jackson (Dahlonega, Ga./Lumpkin) found the endzone from two-yards out to make the score 14-3 after the first quarter. Northwood finished the first quarter with 114 yards of offense in the quarter while holding the Hawks to -10 yards of offense.

Northwood wasted little time taking control of the game in the second quarter. A Ryan Spicuzzi (Macomb, Mich./Macomb-Dakota) interception set Northwood up at the three yard line early in the quarter. One play later, Jackson found scored his second touchdown of the game to put Northwood up 21-3. . After a stop on defense, the Timberwolves went 44 yards on 11 plays, capped by a Shavers to Devonta Elzy (Chicago, Ill./Simeon) four-yard touchdown. That score extended the NU lead to 28-3.

Quincy scored their first touchdown later in the quarter, which was followed by an Alex Faust (Midland, Mich./Dow) 29-yard field goal to wrap up the scoring in the opening half with the score 31-10. Northwood out-gained Quincy 230-62 in the first half, which included a 133-0 edge in rushing yards.

The Timberwolves kept the momentum going on the first drive of the third quarter, going 89 yards on just three plays. Bryce Lindberg (Howell, Mich.) capped the drive with a career-long 56-yard touchdown run to make the score 38-10. Quincy came right back with a touchdown, but Northwood responded immediately with a Shavers five-yard touchdown run. Northwood's six touchdown of the day made the score 45-16 with 8:34 remaining in the game.

NU then extended their lead further thanks to another long touchdown run by Lindberg. His 47-yard run with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter made the score 52-17.

The final quarter featured a pair of Quincy touchdowns as well as Northwood earning a safety following a high snap on a punt.

For the game, Northwood finished with a 483-293 edge in total yards. The Timberwolves had 368 yards rushing and 115 yards passing in the game.

Four Timberwolves finished with at least 61 yards rushing, led by Lindberg with 114 yards on just three carries. Shavers finished with 99 yards passing and three total touchdowns.

Northwood returns to action next Saturday (September 8) against Walsh. Kickoff is set for Noon.