On a crisp Saturday afternoon in the Superior Dome, Northern Michigan football didn’t just win a game, it made history. Running back Noah Dobert bulldozed his way into NMU’s record books, rushing for 406 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-11 win over Wayne State, leaving fans and teammates alike in awe.
Dobert’s performance was more than dominant, it was historic. With touchdown runs of 56, 52, 64, and 72 yards, he shattered NMU’s single-game rushing record, broke single-season records for yards and touchdowns, and narrowly missed the NCAA Division II single-game mark by just 19 yards. But for interim head coach Billy Lindquist, the feat was as much about the team as it was about the redshirt freshman.
“Dobert had a great day,” Lindquist said. “He played really well the last two weeks. He’d be the first to tell you the offensive line did a great job for him. He kind of had a coming-out party these last few weeks, and man, he’s something special. Really proud of the accomplishments he had and what he’s done for the program and the team.”
Northern wasted no time turning the game into a showcase. On the third play, Dobert exploded through the middle for a 56-yard touchdown, setting the tone for what would become a highlight-laden afternoon. By halftime, the Wildcats led 21-3, thanks to Dobert’s 208 yards and a 2-yard plunge into the endzone from Noah Hofmann.
The Wildcats’ offensive dominance was matched by a suffocating defense. Senior Jeremiah Gossett grabbed two interceptions, including a crucial stop late in the first half, while Jax Hertel piled up 12 tackles. Senior kicker Michael Karlen wrapped up his NMU career with a perfect 6-for-6 on PATs and a 41-yard field goal, leaving the field with nine points and his own share of conference honors.
Lindquist reflected on the team’s growth over the season, highlighting how perseverance and fundamentals propelled the Wildcats to a strong finish. “You could see through the year the fine-tuning, it’s all about technique, fundamentals, and details. You could see it getting better each week. When it’s clicking, it hits fast, and it’s really tough to stop.”
He also praised the seniors and the underclassmen for their role in closing out the season on a high note. “It means a lot to the seniors. For every one of them, they’ve been through it for four years. To get a win on Senior Day in the Dome, that’s something they’ll get to live with forever, tell their kids about. Everyone bought in and did a great job. Whether it was personnel, managing who we needed to get the football to, or just attacking defenses, we found the weaknesses and executed.”
A Season of Growth
Coming off two zero-win seasons, the team was faced with an uphill battle; furthermore, with recent coaching controversy the ‘Cats proved that this might just have been what they needed to spark hope. The Wildcats’ 2025 season was a rollercoaster, finishing 3-8 overall. The year began with close losses to Minnesota State Moorhead (37-44), Northwood (18-23), and St. Thomas (7-20), leaving fans hungry for a breakout performance. A midseason win over Roosevelt (42-21) offered a glimpse of the team’s potential, but losses to Grand Valley State (7-35) and Ferris State (35-70) tested their resilience.
Despite the ups and downs, Northern showed flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball. Dobert’s historic end-of-season performance exemplified the promise of the younger roster, while veterans like Gossett and Karlen anchored the defense and special teams with poise and consistency.
Lindquist summed up the season with both pride and optimism. “It’s been a grind, but you could see the growth. Technique, fundamentals, details, they improved every week. Closing the season with this kind of performance is huge for the seniors, huge for the underclassmen, and sets the tone for next year.”
The Wildcats may not have had the record they hoped for, but the season ended with momentum, confidence, and a historic Saturday that will be remembered in Marquette for years to come, a fitting finale for a team that refused to quit.
