NMU Football to finish 2012 season at home
Courtesy of NMU Athletics
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University football wraps up the 2012 season on Saturday (Nov. 9), hosting the Ferris State Bulldogs at the Superior Dome. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Senior Day.
The weekend begins with a Senior Luncheon at the University Center on Friday at noon. There are 12 seniors who will play their final game in the Green and Gold. Zach Anderson, Rockne Belmonte, James Brito-White, Sam Celentino, Jace Daniels, Josh Droese, Eddie Knoblock, Weston McIntosh, Brent Parrett, Chad Pepper, Joe Vezina and Prince Young will be honored. Cost of the luncheon is $10 for each Wildcat fan.
Ferris State is currently 6-4 overall and 5-4 in the GLIAC. The Bulldogs have won three of their last five and were defeated 38-33 by Northwood last weekend. Ferris State posted a 6-5 overall mark a season ago. The Bulldogs are currently sixth this week in the nation in rushing offense at 309 yards per contest heading into their final game. FSU also leads the league in rushing and is second in the conference in total offense at 479.20 yards an outing.
Tony Annese is in his first season at Ferris State. He recorded a 195-41 (.826) mark as a head coach in four stops at the high school level before totaling a 30-4 (.882) record in three years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College. His overall career mark is 231-49 (.825) to date and includes three prep state championships and two national JUCO crowns.
Senior Rockne Belmonte is the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season after making four field goals in the win over Saginaw Valley State. He made four field goals from 36, 46, 49 and 55 yards and broke NMU’s record with the 42nd field goal of his career. Belmonte also holds school records for most field goals in a season (15) and longest field goal (58 yards). Belmonte also handles the punting duties for the ‘Cats and averaged 32 yards on seven punts. He is a second team preseason All-American by USA Football News and a preseason All-American as an honorable mention choice by the D2 vs. NAIA Bowl.
FSU defeated the ‘Cats 35-6 at its homecoming on Oct. 15, 2011. Prince Young rushed for 149 yards on 19 carries. Belmonte scored the only points for the ‘Cats. He made field goals of 45 yards and 25 yards in the second quarter.
Sophomore Nick Krause leads the ‘Cats with 80 total tackles. He has 45 solo and 35 assisted tackles. He also leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Senior Eddie Knoblock has 78 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and an interception. Junior Morgan Stenz (68) and senior Zach Anderson (67) also have over 60 tackles. NMU has 13 interceptions, seven sacks and seven fumble recoveries.
100.3 FM “The Point”, the official radio voice of the NMU Wildcats, carries all football games. “The Point” also hosts the weekly NMU Coaches’ Show on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. at Vango’s.