This story was written by NMU Sports Information. Photo From Ferris State.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich.---Jake Mayon rushed for two touchdowns in the final five minutes of regulation, but the Northern Michigan football team could not overcome an early deficit and fell to No. 24 Ferris State, 45-23, Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs led, 24-6, at the half and scored two touchdowns on the ground in the third quarter to put the game out of the Wildcats' reach.

Reggie Bell found the end zone for the first of four times at 5:44 of the first quarter. Northern Michigan responded, taking advantage of a penalty that called back a Tavierre Thomas interception. Tyler Blackburn capped the resuscitated drive with a 46-yard field goal at 0:41.

Bell scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 68-yard score at 9:37. A 25-yard field goal by Wyatt Ford as time expired sent the Wildcats to the locker room down 24-6.

A five-yard touchdown rush by Robert Thomas at 12:25 and a 49-yard score on the ground by Bell at 5:14 gave Ferris State a 38-6 advantage entering the final quarter.

Blackburn opened the fourth quarter by booting his third field goal of the game to cut the lead to 38-9. Marvin Campbell found the end zone on the Bulldogs' next drive to bring the score to 45-9.

Mayon scored his first touchdown of the game at 4:09, capping a 77-yard, 15-play drive with a one-yard run. He then broke free for a 39-yard score with just 28 seconds left on the clock.

Mayon totaled 119 yards on the ground. Shaye Brown threw for 152 yards while Julian Crum posted 68 receiving yards. Pat Ryan and Darryl Williams led the Northern Michigan defense with seven tackles.

Blackburn went 3/3 on field goals and 2/2 on extra points, contributing 11 points.

Ferris State held a 482-337 edge in total offense, with 436 of its yards coming on the ground.

The Wildcats, now 3-4 (3-3 GLIAC), open a three-game home stand Oct. 22, facing off against Ohio Dominican at 1 p.m. It will be broadcast live on WUPT-FM (100.3) in Marquette and on WCHT-AM (600) in Escanaba, starting with the pre-game show at 12:30.