Northern Michigan University opened the 2013 football season at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. Since last year’s football season, the team has 34 new players. One of the 87 teammates, junior safety Levi Perry from Northville, Mich., said he is known as “The guy always smiling.”

Perry said the new team has so much power and commitment that they are determined to go undefeated and win the National Championship this season.

“This is my third year of college football and I’m just as excited for game day as I was my first game of freshman year,” Perry said. “Though I was redshirted, I remember sitting with my teammates and hearing the roar of the crowd behind us, it was overwhelming, but felt right.  That game was one of the most memorable moments of my life.”

When playing a sport, it is always best for the players to have their head in the game. Perry said the team members clear their heads by lifting weights, dancing and stretching.

“I listen to music before every game, not any one song, just what comes into play, whether it is Katy Perry or 2 Chainz,” Perry said. “To a lot of us, playing football isn’t just a hobby, but a lifestyle. One day I dream of being drafted by the Detroit Lions.”

Sophomore wide receiver Terrance Dye said Perry works hard and leads by example.

“Perry is a leader, and his game speaks for itself,” Dye said. “He’s always the one who, when the rest of the team is groaning about 6 a.m. weightlifting, is excited to get in another workout.  Perry is the kind of man that makes a difference in people’s lives and doesn’t even know it.”

Sophomore defensive lineman, Josh Hogan, who has been playing football since the age of eight, said the team gets along really well.

“The team is always together,” Hogan said. “We’re at practice, working out, eating or hanging around town.”

The players not only devote their time around campus but also in the community. The team often volunteers to help during other sports events like, hockey and soccer.

Perry said the team knows how to handle one another.

“Our team is very competitive and in some cases this may cause problems,” Perry said. “It brings us Wildcats closer together.”

Hogan said the team wants to improve on last season’s record for the school, as well as the community.

“The team feels like we’ve been letting the community down. Coming from the small town of Charlevoix, Mich., football was what brought everyone together, with tailgating, parades, and pep rallies,” Hogan said. “This season will be the year that the Wildcats change Marquette from a small community to a large family.”

Perry said the team is prepared for the upcoming season, and ready to work hard to improve on last year’s record.

“We lose together, we win together,” Perry said. “Come out and support your fellow Wildcats!”