MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University football team looked impressive in several areas last week in a nonconference triumph over Quincy University and looks to carry that momentum over to its 4 p.m. Saturday homecoming game against GLIAC foe Hillsdale.

“Whenever you win it feels good, there’s no question,” NMU head coach Chris Ostrowsky said. “We’re no different than anybody else. We work really hard, so when you win, it certainly is gratifying. It was a good day.”

Wildcats quarterback Shaye Brown and Marcus Tucker hooked up for three touchdowns in the 31-14 win in the Superior Dome. Brown was 23 of 26 through the air for 353 yards, while Tucker had 10 receptions for 205 yards.

Ostrowsky had praise for both players after their strong performances along with his offensive line.

“The quarterback is at the forefront and if the quarterback plays well there’s a lot of components involved,” he said. “There was some good pass protection, the receivers made plays with the football and we ran the ball successfully, which opened up the passing game.

“It all happened for us in Week 2 and we were productive.”

It wasn’t just the Wildcats offense that looked good, the defense also shone. C.J. Washington led NMU with seven tackles, while Dante Holmes had five, including two sacks. The Wildcats also stopped Quincy on several fourth-down plays.

“We’re trying to create a culture on the defensive side of the football and they take pride in their product,” Ostrowsky said. “They take pride in playing defense at Northern Michigan.”

Special teams even got some highlight-reel time as Austin Young broke some tackles and sprinted 43 yards on a punt return to give NMU good field position in Quincy territory.

“Austin’s a great football player,” Ostrowsky said. “He’s another guy when you look at him you see what you want your program to represent. Like Marcus (Tucker), like Levi (Perry), like Austin, those are the type of guys I want to represent. Guys who do a great job in the classroom and just light this place on fire when they play on Saturday.”

This week, NMU takes on a 1-1 Chargers team that defeated them 13-10 a year ago downstate when Ryan LaBerge’s field goal try sailed wide left. This season, Hillsdale opened with a 45-34 loss to Findlay before outscoring Lake Erie last week, 52-29.

“Hillsdale is solid and they’re consistent,” Ostrowsky said. “That’s how I would describe them. They’re a bonafide, quality GLIAC school. Last year, it was a close game.

“To win this time, we need to get the ball into the end zone and maintain consistency on defense. We need to create turnovers, but also not give up any ourselves. Being able to run the ball will also be key because that will open up the passing game for us.”

Overall, Ostrowsky feels that it’s too early to see how the season is going to go, but emphasized that his team will continue to have a strong work ethic.

“I feel the same way I always feel,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and we’ve only just begun in terms of 2015. It’s too early to tell how things are going to go, but I can promise you that we are going to work as hard as we can every day.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 246. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal. net.