Wildcats & Huskies set to renew rivalry

MARQUETTE & HOUGHTON — When Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan play each other on the football field every year, the script pretty much writes itself. There’s a lot on the line tomorrow night, so let’s break it down for you.

Michigan Tech would love nothing more than to improve their record to 4-0. A win by Northern Michigan would level the Wildcats’ record at 2-2. The winning team gets to take home the Miners Cup. The Huskies have won the trophy nine of the last twelve years. As you might imagine, both teams are eager to just get on the field and play this game.

“We know who we’re playing. It’s a great rivalry, it’s a clean rivalry, and we’ll be ready to play,” said Michigan Tech head coach Tom Kearly.

“This is the one we fight for. This is the pride and joy of the U.P. We will show them who really plays football,” said Huskies defensive back DeShawn Nelson.

“It brings out the best (in us) because we’re playing to be the best in the U.P. Other than that, we need to prepare like it’s another game,” said MTU defensive lineman Tanner Agen.

“It’s Northern, that’s all I can say,” said Huskies defensive back Brett Gervais. “We’re going to get it into the film room, watch some film on them and prepare. That’s all we can do.”

“Put everything into this game. Put everything into practice, put everything into the drills we do, from lacing up your shoes to jogging off the field, we have to finish. This is huge. This is Northern, this is for the Miner’s Cup. This is for pride for the next year,” said MTU running back Charlie Leffingwell.

“At the end of the day it doesn’t count for anything more than a win,” said NMU head coach Chris Ostrowsky. “You don’t get two wins or three wins for it, but it’s a game we want to win. It’s homecoming, it’s Michigan Tech, and we’re going to be ready to play.”

“Their d–line (defensive line) is real good. They’re real big and physical. Their linebackers are big and physical. Their corners are real good at disguising their coverages and moving, so we just have to be fast and match them,” said NMU quarterback Shaye Brown.

“There is a strong history with us… It’s hard not to buy into it. I don’t think that it will be hard for them to relate,” said Wildcats linebacker Levi Perry, talking about how the younger players on both teams who are new to the rivalry.

Kickoff between the Huskies and Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. The home team has won the Miners Cup eight of the last twelve years.