Football Falls At No. 14 Michigan Tech 30-14

HOUGHTON, MICH. – The Northwood University football team dropped a 30-14 contest at No. 14 Michigan Tech Saturday afternoon (October 10).

Northwood is now 3-3 overall, 3-2 in the GLIAC. Michigan Tech improves to 5-0 overall and in the GLIAC.

After Michigan Tech got on the board first with a touchdown midway through the first quarter, Northwood responded immediately. On the first play of the following drive, quarterback Mark Morris (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) found Theron Wilson (Ann Arbor, Mich./Skyline) for a 65-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter.

The rest of the opening half was all MTU, however. The Huskies scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to open up a 24-7 advantage at the break. Northwood entered the game ranked in the top five in Division II in time of possession, but the Huskies held the ball for over 23 of the 30 minutes in the opening half. MTU also held a 318-77 advantage in total yards and a 17-1 edge in first downs.

Trailing 30-7 early in the fourth quarter, Northwood put together a drive starting from their own 10 yard line. The Timberwolves went 90 yards in 11 plays, capped by a Shane Barron (Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth) 14-yard touchdown run. That touchdown cut the lead down to 30-14 with 10:02 remaining in the game.

Northwood got an interception from Jake Riepma (Midland, Mich./Dow) later in the game, but neither team would score again the rest of the way.

For the game, Michigan Tech finished with a 453-209 advantage in total yards. NU finished with 140 yards passing and 69 yards rushing, while MTU ended up with 231 yards rushing and 222 yards passing. Third down conversions were the big key to the contest, as Michigan Tech converted 18 of 23 compared to 2 of 8 for Northwood. NU entered the game ranked fifth nationally in time of possession per game (34:38), but the Huskies dominated the ball against Northwood. MTU had the ball for 43:09 compared to 16:51 for NU.

Wilson ended up with 70 yards receiving and a touchdown to lead the Northwood offense. Morris ended up passing for 140 yards. Michael Fisher (Rochester, Mich./Adams) and Mike Keith (Roseville, Mich./Warren De La Salle)led the NU defense, finishing with 18 and 16 tackles, respectively. Andre Fils (New York, N.Y./Hampton U.) added 12 tackles, while Riepma finished with four tackles and an interception.

Northwood will travel to Findlay next Saturday (October 17). Game time is set for 2 p.m.