MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University football team has won two in a row with its offense and defense putting forth good performances.

The Wildcats defeated Hillsdale 32-24 with the NMU defense picking off two Chargers’ passes in the end zone to clinch the win.

NMU head coach Chris Ostrowsky liked what he saw, but made sure to emphasize that the Wildcats still have work to do.

“I think we’ve had two weeks in a row where things have been good,” he said. “With that being said, it’s just too early to start putting labels on things. We just want to take it one day at a time, one week at a time.

“Clearly, the culture of the program is different, but with that being said, we’ve got a long way to go.”

Although the whole team looked solid, one of the players that stood out was running back Aaron Harris. Harris was originally third on the depth chart at his position to start the season, but got thrust into starting duties against the Chargers.

Harris lost a fumble deep in Wildcats’ territory in the second half, but persevered with a 170-yard performance and scored the touchdown that gave NMU the lead late in the third quarter.

Ostrowsky said that there wasn’t any doubt in his mind about giving the ball back to Harris after his turnover.

“No, I have faith in our players and they know that,” he said. “He’s a young player and something that we emphasize is that this is a humbling game. If you take it for granted, it’ll get you. If you instantly become a winner, you probably got lucky. We’ve got to work hard at it and work hard at understanding the importance of taking care of the football.

“With all that being said, I think he’s a really talented young football player.”

Now 2-1, NMU takes on archrival Michigan Tech in Houghton on Saturday night. Last year, Tech beat the Wildcats 34-31 on a last-second field goal and is currently on a five-game winning streak over NMU. The Huskies also made the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Even though Northern fans may have circled the game’s date on their calendars, Ostrowsky says his team is treating the contest as just another game.

“For us, it’s just a football game,” he said. “We’ve got to be prepared to win the game and if we get wrapped up in the hype of the game, we won’t be prepared.”

The Huskies (3-0) are ranked No. 21 in the country in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll and No. 15 in the D2Football. com poll. Tech is led offensively by quarterback Brandon Cowie, who is tied for third in the GLIAC with seven passing touchdowns, and wide receiver David Walter, who is tied for the lead at four TDs with NMU’s Marcus Tucker.

Defensively, the Huskies are led by linebacker Paul Kuoppala, who is second in the conference in tackles per game with 10.7, behind only NMU linebacker L.J. Liston, and defensive lineman Evan Mayer, who is tied for third in sacks with three.

“I think they’re physical and I think they’re tough,” Ostrowsky said. “They’re very similar to Hillsdale. I think schematically they want to run the football. They want to be really good on defense and control the line of scrimmage. They want to push the line in their favor and that’s what makes them similar to Hillsdale.

“They are a top-tier playoff team, no question about it.”

To upset the Huskies on the road, NMU will have to limit its turnovers. The Wildcats fumbled five times last week against Hillsdale and lost three. Ostrowsky says that ball security has been the big focus this week in practice.

“I think there’s a number of different things that play into fumbling the football,”?he said. “It’s different than throwing an interception. When you’re fumbling, I think as a coach you have to look at are we emphasizing ball security.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Sherman Field in Houghton. The game will also be televised on Fox-U.P., Channel 11 on Charter cable systems.

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