Like NMU, GLIAC newcomer Roosevelt is winless this season, though Northern has done that in six games while the third and newest Lakers team in the league has only played five.

Both have played two conference games, and that’s where they have their only opponent in common — Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals trounced NMU 63-14 on Oct. 5, while SVSU handled Roosevelt 27-14 last Saturday.

For both of today’s combatants, their other GLIAC game was against a national power, Northern losing to No. 2 Grand Valley 49-17 last Saturday and Roosevelt falling to No. 5 Ferris State 55-13 on Oct. 5.

This first-ever matchup of NMU and Roosevelt starts at 1 p.m. at the Superior Dome in Marquette and will be broadcast on radio station WUPT 100.3 FM The Point. Fans can follow @NMU_Football and @NMU_Wildcats on X (formerly Twitter) for updates leading up to and during the game. Or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the football schedule for links to live video, live audio, live statistics, ticket information and a game preview.

Northern Michigan University’s Michael Love stretches out for a pass just a little bit out of his reach during the Wildcats’ game against Northern State played at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Nov. 11. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

“We wanted to make sure our mentality of approaching last weekend’s game had a courageous thought of attacking the opponent and coming off the ball hard,” Wildcats head coach Shane Richardson said in an NMU Sports Information news release previewing today’s game. “This week, we have to focus on how we play and not who we play.”

Last week’s NMU game at Grand Valley in Allendale was played in heavy downpour throughout, which left the two teams totaling just 94 yards passing, all for these Lakers.

NMU quarterback Aidan Hoard attempted five passes without completing any, but at least he didn’t throw an interception. Three GVSU signal callers combined to complete 5 of 11 but with a pickoff by the Wildcats’ Kade Manzo, the second of his collegiate career.

Most of the offense came on the ground as Northern was outgained there 288-206. Vince Martin led NMU with a career-high 82 yards on eight carries, which included a 69-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.

Teammate Elizin Rouse had 55 yards and Jahi Wood 48, while Tucker Welch had a 1-yard TD run in the game’s final two minutes.

Wood, a freshman, continues to be among GLIAC rushing leaders as he is fifth with 361 yards, while Rouse is ninth with 211. Negaunee High School graduate Nico Lukkarinen with 141 yards and Martin with 94 are ranked 21st and 22nd, respectively.

In addition, Lukkarinen’s three TD runs rank him in the top 10 in the conference, while as a team, Northern is fourth in the league at 149.0 yards rushing per game.

Though he couldn’t add anything last weekend, NMU wide receiver Michael Love is tied for second in the GLIAC with four TD catches, while the two he had vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse was the first time a Wildcat had two TD receptions in a game since September 2022. Love is also fourth in the conference with his 341 receiving yards.

On defense, Northern’s Mitch Larkin is third with 44 tackles after he led the league last year with 118.

And kicker Michael Karlen remains perfect on point-scoring kicks, making 5 of 5 field goals and 12 of 12 extra points.

Roosevelt, in its first season in NCAA Division II, is third in the conference with 226.0 passing yards per game as QB Carson Budke has thrown for 1,130 yards with five TDs but also five interceptions. Keonta Nixon has been his top target, as his 546 yards are second in the conference while he’s caught three TD passes.

These Lakers are ranked last in the league on the ground, averaging just 61.2 yards rushing per game.

But they are also the least penalized team in the GLIAC with just 21 infractions this season. NMU, which has been good in that category in Richardson’s two seasons at the helm, has 31 penalties this fall.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.