The Wildcats were able to pull off a third win of the season to end the seniors’ home careers with victory in the final Superior Dome game.
The game remained close until the start of the fourth quarter when the ’Cats pulled away, 27-9. The Timberwolves added another six points, but were unable to come back against the Wildcats, leaving the final score 34-15.
Sophomore running back Wyatt Jurasin was able to pick up where he left off last week with another 100-yard rushing game. Jurasin had 25 carries for 118 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The ’Cats defense allowed less than 150 yards rushing and adding an interception.
Redshirt freshman running back Keon Collier averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Collier said a strength that helped the ’Cats against Northwood was that everyone was doing their job.
“I think everyone was focused,” Collier said. “We were all on the same page.”
Collier appeared in two games last season as running back and rushed for 75 yards on nine carries against Findlay last season.
The ’Cats freshman quarterback Shaye Brown went 17-27 with three passing touchdowns. The only setback for the ’Cats was their 17 penalties for 142 yards. The Wildcats were able to overcome some mistakes with an all-around effort from the defense, offense and special teams play. The ’Cats had 168 return yards, with the majority coming from seniors defensive back Brandon Parson and wide receiver Christian Jessie.
The Wildcats’ next opponent is nationally ranked Saginaw Valley State. Last year, the ’Cats were able to ruin the Cardinals’ playoff hopes by upsetting Saginaw in the Dome, defeating them 33-28.
Jessie said it will take a team effort to win against Saginaw.
“They’re one of the best teams in the country,” Jessie said. “We need to be completely focused and on our game to beat them.”
The Cardinals are the top team in the GLIAC, with their only loss coming to nonconference opponent and current No. 2 team in the nation, Northwest Missouri. Head coach Chris Ostrowsky said some of the keys in order to defeat Saginaw include mistake-free football.
“They are 8-0 in the league for a reason,” Ostrowsky said. “[It is a] great opportunity for us to play a good team on the road.”
The Cardinals boast one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He is second in the conference in passing yards and passing percentage and first in touchdown passes, with 26.
The Cardinals also average a league high 40 points per game.
Junior defensive lineman Jordan Adediran said the ’Cats have to play a dominant game against one of the top conference teams.
“They have the best quarterback and wide receiver duo in the GLIAC,” Adediran said. “If we stop them we have a great shot at beating them.”
Out of the 11 offensive starters for Saginaw, eight are seniors. Adediran said the Cardinals have a really experienced offense.
“Our coaching staff have put together a game plan,”Adediran said. “That will put us in a position to stop their playmakers and control the game.”
Ostrowsky said the football team is committed to success, and if the ’Cats continue to embrace the process the scoreboard will take care of itself.
The Wildcats will take on Saginaw Valley on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Saginaw Valley.
