Over the weekend the NMU football team took to the field for their third game of the season. Before the game, the Wildcats were hoping to add one to the win column. Unfortunately, the Cats will have to wait another week to try to get the win, falling to St. Thomas 7-20.

While the team has not yet won a game this season, the game against St. Thomas was the lowest amount of points the team has scored thus far. In both previous losses the Wildcats put up 37 and 18 points, and finished the game within a touchdown of the opponent. Granted, this time the Cats were up against a D1 school in St. Thomas

“I think our vibe all week was excited. I think our guys really rallied around the opportunity that we get to showcase something. I think we’ve learned great lessons throughout the last two years in terms of taking on big opponents,” head coach Shane Richardson said.

The Wildcat defense put on a show despite the loss, as the Wildcats were able to hold St. Thomas to just 20 points—the lowest amount of points St. Thomas has scored this season. Senior defensive lineman Jhermari Mabry, had his first sack of the season, as well as Jake Price, junior, who record his first individual full sack on the season. 

“Our guys have shown great resiliency…we have shown the ability to just keep playing, keep approaching practice, continue to go into Saturdays,  with just the right mindset and the right mentality to where um we’re going to keep attacking. We’re going to keep fighting. We’re going to keep battling,” coach Richardson said.

Offensively, the Wildcats were able to move the ball, but struggled with scoring besides the single touchdown scored by sophomore running back, Jahi Wood. Along with the touchdown, Wood ended the game with 17 runs and 47 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Isaac Olson had four targets in the game, finishing with a 41-yard total. Freshman quarterback Duke Shovald threw for 133 yards during the game, not giving up an interception. 

“Really proud of the offense in a lot of ways and we’re still going to challenge them… We’re going to keep the hammer down and make sure that we keep getting better all the time,” Richardson said. 

This weekend, NMU Football, along with NMU, will celebrate homecoming as the Wildcats are in search of their first win of the season. The Wildcats will kick off in the Dome on Saturday, Sept. 20. This will also be in-conference play for the Wildcats, as the rest of the season will be taking on GLIAC opponents. First up, the Cats will host Davenport in the homecoming game. After Davenport, the team has its bye week before heading down to take on Saginaw Valley State. 

“It’s homecoming. There’s going to be a lot of good energy around that. I think that really bods well for us,” coach Richardson said. 

Come support the Wildcats this homecoming weekend as they seek their first win of the season.

“It’s how we play, not who we play,” Richardson said.