FINDLAY, Ohio – The Northern Michigan University football team was hoping to finish its season on a high note, but instead got dealt another disappointing loss.

Findlay (6-5) kicked a 30-yard field goal as time expired to defeat the Wildcats 45-42. NMU (5-6) led by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold on.

Quarterback Shaye Brown led the Wildcats as he threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Jake Mayon had 134 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown also became the single-season passing leader, ending the year with 3,123. He’s the only Wildcats quarterback to finish with more than 3,000 passing yards.

Julian Hornback led the Northern defense with 11 tackles, while Dante Holmes recorded two sacks.

After Findlay scored on a 64-yard pass play from Rhys Gervais to Jason Moore, NMU scored back-to-back touchdowns, with the first scoring pass going to Keyondre Craig and the other to Trey Hipke.

However, Findlay answered with another long touchdown pass, this one a 85-yarder to Tim Szabo, and the game was tied at 14-14.

The back-and-forth affair continued in the second quarter. Northern got another touchdown pass from Brown to Craig and Mayon scored on the Wildcats’ next possession to give NMU a 28-14 advantage.

However, Findlay answered with two more TDs to tie the game before the half.

In the second half, the game remained a see-saw battle with both teams scoring once in the third quarter. The Oilers took the lead on a short run by Daiquone Ford before Northern answered with a 1-yard score by Terrance Ford.

After Mayon notched his second touchdown of the game with 13:25 left in the fourth quarter, Findlay’s offense caught fire again.

Gervais and Szabo hooked up for another score to tie the game at 42-42 before Findlay won it with a field goal by Tyler Bugeja.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246, or via email at rstieg@miningjournal.net.