The NMU football team will travel to Walsh University to take on the Cavaliers after a tight loss last weekend to nationally-ranked Ashland University.
The Wildcats played the Ashland Eagles, who are ranked No. 5 in the country in division II football, on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Superior Dome.
After the ’Cats fell behind 21-0, they were able to come back with a 40-35 lead with four minutes left in the game.
The Eagles responded to the ’Cats late lead with a touchdown from a recovered fumble, winning the contest 41-40 with seven seconds left in regulation.
The Wildcats are never satisfied with a loss, but head coach Chris Ostrowsky said he’s staying positive.
“We understand that it’s all about wins,” Ostrowsky said. “At the same time when you’re doing your best and you take it to the final seconds against one of the greatest teams in America, you feel pretty good.”
Junior quarterback Shaye Brown recorded 371 passing yards, with 30 completions and 49 attempts-all were season highs for Brown.
Junior linebacker Julian Hornback and senior linebacker Levi Perry each had 10 tackles in the game.
Nerves got to the ’Cats before the game said senior wide receiver Marcus Tucker.
“We just got off to a sluggish start because guys were just thinking too much and too jittery,” Tucker said. “Once we calmed down and started playing our game we had some good things happen against a good ball club.”
This loss broke a five-game winning streak the ’Cats had at the Superior Dome. The last loss they suffered at home was back in Nov. 1, 2014 against Walsh, 27-24.
Brown is coming close to breaking a couple Wildcat records, while already holding a record for single-game passing yards. During the home game against the Findlay Oilers on Nov. 15, 2014 Brown set his 490 passing-yard record. The Wildcats won that season-ending game 66-38.
While Brown is the one close to breaking these records, Ostrowsky puts the emphasis Brown’s success on the team as a whole. The offensive line doing well and having talented receivers all ties into the success of the quarterback.
Brown has accumulated 2,296 passing-yards throughout this season, as well as 19 touchdowns. Another 654 yards to break the school record set by Kyle Swenor’s 2003 single-season record. Three touchdowns in the next three games will secure the single-season touchdown record set by Matt Hoard in 1996.
The Wildcats head out of Michigan for the first time this season, travelling to North Canton, Ohio to play the Cavaliers. NMU will play on Saturday, Oct, 31 at the Tom Benson Stadium.
The Cavaliers are 2-6 both in GLIAC and overall records.
Freshman quarterback Reid Worstell passed for 1157 yards for the Cavaliers and has made eight touchdowns.
Junior linebacker Nicholas King has a total of 44 tackles and 38 assists.
“I’m just really excited in this team and it’s ability to fight and stand up and just play for each other,” Ostrowsky said.
