By RYAN STIEG

Journal Sports Writer

MARQUETTE — The weather may have been cold outside the Superior Dome Saturday, but the Northern Michigan University offense was heating up the turf indoors.

Heading into their game with NAIA foe Lawrence Tech, the Wildcats desperately needed a spark. Not only to end a losing streak, but to get their season going in the right direction.

They got it early and kicked in the afterburners as the ‘Cats (2-6) mauled the Blue Devils (5-2) 65-7. NMU running back Jake Mayon ran wild through the LTU defense as he finished with 121 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

Northern may have gotten a dominant victory, but head coach Kyle Nystrom said that was how it was supposed to go and he had already moved on to thinking about next week’s rivalry game with Michigan Tech.

“Without being condescending, that’s the way that game was supposed to be played and they (the Wildcats) understood that,” he said. “It’s really all about that. Are you grateful? You’re always grateful for a win, but that’s what we prepared to do and that’s what we expected to do and we did it.

“This is kind of the first time since I’ve been with them where what they wanted to do and expected to do came to fruition. But that’s all it is. I’m already on to Michigan Tech.”

Nystrom was happy, though, that he was able to get in a lot of players who don’t get much playing time with two Marquette alumni making the most of their opportunities — Scott Tripp scored two touchdowns and Wyatt Goodwin led the defense with seven total tackles.

“Everybody that I think that was eligible to participate got to play,” Nystrom said. “You’re thankful for that because it’s hard to get that to happen. So I’m glad for those guys because it’s a grind.”

Mayon got the Wildcats on the board two minutes into the game on a 3-yard run and the Wildcats kept on rolling. After forcing an LTU punt, Northern benefitted from a late-hit penalty and just a couple plays later, Mayon was in the end zone again, this time on a 9-yard run. With the extra point, the Wildcats led 14-0.

After Felch native Brad Gustafson picked off a Blue Devils pass, NMU got its first passing touchdown when quarterback Kole Stealy found Ben Loutsis in the end zone for a 12-yard score. Just two minutes later, the Wildcats scored again, this time on special teams. NMU blocked an LTU punt for a safety and a 23-0 lead.

With 2:16 remaining, Mayon capped off the first-quarter scoring surge by plowing through three defenders for a 20-yard touchdown. With the extra point, Northern held a 30-0 advantage going into the second quarter.

Mayon has closed in on the NMU career rushing mark and when asked if he was disappointed after being pulled after the first quarter before he could set it, he smiled and said he’d rather do it against the Huskies next week.

“With a team (LTU) like this, you want everybody to play,” he said. “I had a great game and Deandre (Caldwell) had a great game. Everybody played and that’s what these games are for. It’s about getting the guys out there and having a great time out there as a team. I’d rather get the record against Michigan Tech.”

LTU put up its only points two minutes into the second quarter with the help of two long passes before quarterback Tyler Kulka scored on a 2-yard run. NMU wasn’t shaken, though, as Caldwell scored on a 25-yard run with 9:22 left and backup quarterback Isiah Wright hit wide receiver Ravon Johnson with a 36-yard TD pass with 6:32 left. The Wildcats led 44-7 at the half.

It was more of the same in the second half as the Wildcats kept pouring it on. The highlight came with 9:37 left in the third quarter when Tripp scored his first collegiate touchdown to help extend Northern’s advantage to 51-7. Wright got his first rushing touchdown with a 10-yard run with 5:32 left in the third and Tripp notched his second TD with 9:28 left in the fourth.

“I felt good to get in there and get my feet wet a little bit,” Tripp said. “The offensive line played great and the quarterbacks made good reads. I was upset (on the first touchdown) because the play before that, I missed a read that the quarterback gave and I just said I’ve got to forget about that. It felt good to get it.”

The Wildcats host the Huskies at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Superior Dome.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.