Wildcats announce 2018 football schedule
MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University Football team has released the 2018 schedule which features 11 games and is highlighted with six games at the Superior Dome.
The season kicks off September 1 with the Wildcats visiting McKendree University for the first-ever matchup between the schools. Last season’s runner-up in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Bearcats finished the 2017 season with a 7-4 record.
NMU opens the home slate on September 8 with the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The Falcons featured just 18 juniors and seniors on last year’s team that finished the year 2-9 in the Lone Star Conference, but do feature the LSC Freshman of the Year.
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play will begin week three of the season, September 15, when the team hosts Grand Valley State University.
NMU then hosts Ferris State University on Homecoming weekend, September 22. FSU made last season’s NCAA Division II Quarterfinals.
The Wildcats return to the road September 29 to visit Davenport University. Northern Michigan collected a 28-21 victory in the first-ever matchup with the Panthers last season.
NMU returns home the next week, October 6, to host Northwood University. The team then heads to Saginaw Valley State University for continued GLIAC play, taking on the Cardinals October 13.
On October 20, the Wildcats welcome Lawrence Technological University to the Superior Dome. An NAIA school, the Blue Devils are restarting their football program and will play their first season in 70 years.
October 27 will serve as the final home game for NMU and they host rival Michigan Technological University.
NMU ends the year with two GLIAC road games. On November 3, the Wildcats visit Wayne State University for the third-straight matchup in Detroit, Michigan. The season concludes with the team visiting the defending GLIAC Champions, Ashland University, on November 10.
Combined, the 2018 opponents feature a 2017 record of 61-53.
The Wildcats return the league’s Offensive Back of the Year, Jake Mayon (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East), as well as many freshman and sophomores who saw significant playing time last year. The team closed out the season with three of their final four games coming within a one-possession score despite the team’s youth. Having gained significant experience and incorporating a strong incoming class with players lost to injuries last season, 2018 looks bright and full of potential for the NMU Football team.
Courtesy: NMU Athletics