Establishing a winning attitude first begins with a winning approach at home, something the Northern Michigan football team did convincingly in the first week of the season. Something the team continues to strive for is taking that approach to the road.
Saturday, the Wildcats continued to struggle on the road, losing to the newest member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), Tiffin University, by a score of 34-28 in four overtimes. The loss gives the ‘Cats (1-1, 1-1) a 1-9 record in their last 10 road games dating back to 2006.
“We haven’t learned how to win on the road yet. There’s a mentality and a preparation and a readiness and we haven’t achieved that,” head coach Bernie Anderson said. “That comes with maturity and experience and we’re not there yet.”
Like in last week’s contest with Northwood, the Wildcats led at the half with a 14-7 lead. The lead would be short lived though, as the ‘Cats struggled to find rhythm in the second half of play. Tiffin took the lead in the third quarter, going up 21-14.
With less than 2:00 to go in regulation, NMU put together a seven play drive that totaled 54 yards when junior running back Mark Bossuah found the endzone on a three yard run, tying the game with :46 seconds to go.
“When we were down and had to stop them, we did,” Anderson said. “and when we were down with 1:45 left, we went the length of the field to score. Under that kind of adversity, that’s a positive bright point, now we can’t let it get to the last two minutes to do it, but at the same time, that was encouraging.”
Both teams scored in the first overtime, with each turning the ball over by way of fumble. In the third overtime, Tiffin would once again fumble, giving the NMU offense a chance to win with a field goal. After one first down and five plays that failed to reach the endzone, the Wildcats lined up for the field goal attempt. The snap was bobbled by holder Andrew Strobel as he was tackled for a loss, sending the game into its final overtime.
In the fourth overtime, NMU would once again fall victim to its kicking problems that hindered them one possession before when Sophomore Kicker Anthony Leandri’s kick was blocked.
Tiffin put together a drive that ended when quarterback Matt Rook reached the endzone from one yard out, ending the game.
NMU finished the day with 408 yards of total offense with Bossuah gaining 135 yards on 30 carries. Senior wide receiver Fred Wells hauled in four passes for 121 yards and one score. Strobel led the defense with 14 tackles.
NMU now faces their toughest test of the season, heading home to take on Michigan Tech in the annual Miners Cup Thursday September 18, in a game that will be televised on national TV.
“It’s a big game and big rivalry game and I think everybody is hyped up about it,” Wells said, “especially since it’s on national TV. I think we’re gonna come out firing unlike the way we did last week, so I think we’ll be a lot more pumped up for this game.”
