MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University football team will play six games at its home Superior Dome next season, each with its own theme, five of them being GLIAC conference games and all being played on Saturdays.

Fourth-year head coach Chris Ostrowsky says the team really likes the schedule.

“I think this is the best home schedule we have had with six home games in the Superior Dome,” he said. “It should be very exciting for our fans as we host five conference games and one out-of-conference game.

“On the road, we get to visit our local rival Michigan Tech for a prime-time (game).

“The schedule is always great because we get to compete in one of the most challenging (Division) 2 conferences in the country. I am excited and honored to lead this team into the 2015 football season.”

The Wildcats open downstate when they take on Northwood at 1 p.m. on Sept. 5 before playing back-to-back games at home.

First will be the nonconference opponent, Quincy (Illinois), at 4 p.m. on Sept. 12 as Youth Sports Day and also Dinner and Movie Night.

Next comes Hillsdale at 4 p.m. on Sept. 19 for Homecoming before the nearby trip to Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 to decide the Miners Cup.

Two more home games open October’s schedule, Saginaw Valley State at 4 p.m. on Oct. 3 as the Children’s Cancer Fundraiser day before Malone comes calling at 1 p.m. Oct. 10 for Family Weekend.

The Wildcats then alternate home and away games the rest of the season.

NMU travels to Wayne State for a noon game on Oct. 17 before coming home to face Ashland at 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 as the 61st annual Band Day.

The season’s two longest trips are sandwiched around the final home game against Ferris State at 1 p.m. on Nov. 7 as Senior Day.

The long trips are both to north-central Ohio as the Wildcats take on Walsh in North Canton on Oct. 31 and Findlay in the city of the same name to end the regular season on Nov. 14.

Scheduling updates can be checked on the university’s athletic website, www.nmuwildcats.com.

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