The Gridiron Gang Knocks Down Second Straight Ranked Opponent

MARQUETTE-  An aura filled the wooden foundation of the Superior Dome this Saturday, as the Northern Michigan University Wildcats got ready to take the field against the No.22 Wayne State Warriors. As the Pride of the North belted the NMU Fight Song, the ‘Cats got ready to face one of the best running backs in division two history. Just one week after Joique Bell lit up the Wayne State scoreboards five times in a 47-40 win over Ashland, the NMU defense knew they had a tough task in front of them. Not only did the Wayne State Warriors bring a strong rushing attack to the table, but their rushing defense was one of the strongest in the conference.  It looked like the battle on C.V. Money Field was going to be a battle for every yard.

And when four quarters of pressure defense and efficient offense led to forty five points on the board, the war had been won.

For the second straight time when the  scoreboard hit zero, The Wildcats had beaten a top 25 team. After four turnovers accounted for 24 NMU points, the Wildcat fans shouted “over rated” at the top of their lungs.

The players celebrated yet another stepping stone in the right direction for this football program. For the third straight game at the Superior Dome, everything came together. Joique Bell, Wayne State’s major weapon was held in check. After one half, the Wildcats contained him to only 57 yards on the ground. When it was all said and done, Bell carried the ball 30 times for 106 yards. The wildcat front line held their gaps and gave the linebackers great holes to blitz through. Coach Bernie Anderson credits a lot of success to a balanced defense, and continued pursuit to the ball.

“You don’t know where he is going and you have to have a balanced defense (against Joique Bell),” said coach Anderson. “The Idea was to swarm and get after him. We had a second and a third guy there so one didnt always have to take him down. They did a great job of hustling to the ball. Great Pursuit.”

On offense, the Wildcats experience  a mistake-free yet productive day. Mark Bossuah carried the ball 19 times for 97 yards rushing, while teammate Antonio Wallace averaged close to nine yards per carry in his ten rushing attempts. Carter Kopach threw two beautiful touchdown passes to Zach Nichols, one coming with ten seconds remaining in the first half, and the other coming in the third quarter. Carter Kopach, who completed 15 passes for 167 yards was thankful to have a big reciever like Nichols to throw to, in an important game like this one.

“He is a great security blanket,” said Kopach. “I know that for the most part if I throw somewhere where he can get it, he will usually come down with it. It’s nice to have a guy that big and that athletic that can make plays for you.”

Tight end Blake Crider opened up the offense with a thirty four  yard catch that put the ‘Cats into the Wayne State red zone late in the first quarter. That drive would end in Mark Bossuah’s scamper into the end zone from one yard out.  From that point on the run complimented the pass. Coach Bernie Anderson knew that in order to win, he would have to mix it up a bit.

“We felt that they were a good enough football team that we would have to throw the football some. They were good enough up front to stop the run so we had to go to some of the passing.  It opened up both sides of the game. “

Sophomore Carter Kopach continues to look solid in the pocket. Besides the solid passing percentage and lack of turnovers, Kopach was able to make plays on his legs. Unlike last year, Kopach found holes in the defense by making plays on his feet. Something he credits to coach Anderson.

“Wayne State had a really athletic defense,” said Kopach. “We knew they were going to blitz. We had a lot of outs developed and a lot of ways to get out of the blitz with quick passes. Our coach did a great job of getting me to execute the game plan. All I had to do was go out there and make plays.”

Defensively, the Warriors were unable to create any pressure on the pass rush. Wayne State was held sackless and only forced sixteen lost yards on tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Unlike the NMU defense, Wayne State was unable to force any turnovers.

John Blessing was a force on the defensive line for the Wildcats. He intercepted a pass that led to points on the board, sacked the quarterback and had another tackle for loss.

“I was blitzing, so i just started coming in as hard as I could,” stated Blessing. “I saw it was a three step drop, so i just jumped up, put my hands up, and caught the ball.”

Marcus Tribble also grabbed an interception that led to a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Despite giving up twenty points, the defense played swarming, smash mouth football all game. Something the Wildcats will need to count on with tough opponents all season. Defensive End John Blessing doesn’t seem to think that will be a problem from here on out.

“We have a lot more seniors this year, all the captains are doing a great job. We got guys stepping up all over the place making plays and doing they’re filling their roles.”

It’s safe to say that nobody would of thought that at this point, the Wildcats sit tied atop first place in the GLIAC Conference.  Coach Bernie Anderson credits it to the all-around play of this team in the three different phases of the game.

“You can’t do it on just one side of the ball,” said coach Anderson. “We played one of the best special teams today and we hung with them. I thought all three phases of the game had to be how they were perfomed today in order to win.”

The Wildcats will look to continue their winning ways at home next weekend, as NMU takes on the visiting HIllsdale Chargers.

Tags: Bernie Anderson, Carter Kopach, GLIAC, Hillsdale, John Blessing, Joique Bell, NMU Football, Wayne State Football