UP Gazette

The Northern Michigan University (NMU) football team is set to play Saginaw Valley State University this weekend in University Center, Michigan. This matchup marks the second Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) game for the Wildcats.

After a 35-16 loss to Davenport University in their GLIAC opener, NMU had a bye week to prepare for the Cardinals, who are also coming off a bye before their own conference opener. Despite the defeat, NMU managed 278 rushing yards against Davenport and showed defensive strength in the first half before Davenport took control in the second half.

Head Coach Shane Richardson commented on the upcoming game: "I think it'll be a good opportunity on Saturday for us to go down there and show what we can do on the road in the GLIAC and be able to put a full four quarters together. We've gotta be ready, we certainly have to make sure that we come off the bye with a good hunger and a great anticipation to go out there and play with great energy."

In their last outing, running back Noah Dobert led NMU with 23 carries for 126 yards and scored both of the team's touchdowns. The Wildcats ran 59 times compared to just five passing attempts. Quarterback Duke Shovald left the game with an injury in the second quarter, which limited NMU’s passing attack.

On defense, linebacker Mitch Larkin recorded 10 tackles, including his first tackle for loss this season. Brady Redmer contributed with one sack while Jerimiah Gossett made two key pass breakups in red-zone situations.

Offensively this season, NMU averages 215.5 rushing yards per game—second best in the GLIAC and ranked 21st nationally among Division II teams. However, their passing game has struggled; they have completed only 32 passes on 63 attempts with five interceptions and two touchdowns so far. Running backs Jahi Wood and Dobert remain central figures for NMU's offense.

Defensively, NMU allows an average of 30.5 points per game but has been strong against the run, giving up only 90.8 rushing yards per contest—ranking them among Division II’s top-20 run defenses. Jax Hertel leads the team with 36 tackles while Larkin follows with 28; senior safety Tim Shannon Jr. has five pass breakups this year.

Saginaw Valley State enters at 1-3 overall but shows balance offensively by averaging nearly 385 total yards per game—including over 190 rushing yards—and scoring an average of 28 points per contest. Quarterback Mason McKenzie leads SVSU both through passing (183.8 yards per game) and as their top rusher; senior running back Michael Jammerson III adds depth with over four yards per carry.

On defense, SVSU is led by linebacker Christian Boivin who has accumulated 41 tackles through four games. The Cardinals allow an average of just 85 rushing yards but give up over 150 passing yards per game.

Key factors for NMU include continuing to establish their run game early, limiting explosive plays from Saginaw Valley’s offense—particularly by pressuring McKenzie—and reducing turnovers after losing possession ten times so far this season.

Fans can follow updates from @NMU_Football and @NMU_Wildcats on X (formerly Twitter), as well as watch or listen live during Saturday's matchup.