This story was written by NMU Sports Information; MTU Photo

HOUGHTON---Northern Michigan University scored on their first two possessions but it wouldn't be enough as the Wildcats fell to Michigan Tech, 28-21, in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup.

Junior Jake Mayon (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) finished with 157 yards rushing on 31 carries, a touchdown and also threw a 30-yard touchdown.  Redshirt freshman Tanner Kruzel (Boyne City, Mich.) finished with 116 yards receiving and two touchdowns. 

Senior Darryl Williams (Cooper City, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) finished with 11 tackles. 

Sophomore Troy Mayon (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield East) and freshman John McMullen (Kankakee, Ill.) each added nine.  Senior Pat Ryan (Linden, Mich.) posted eight tackles and an interception.   

On the team's first drive of the game, freshman Ryan Johnson (De Pere, Wisc./Ashwaubenon) found Kruzel behind the defense, hitting on the 72-yard touchdown pass.  After freshman Dalton Ray (Clemont, Fla./Lake Menneola) kicked the extra point, the Wildcats had a 7-0 lead. 

On the second drive, Mayon reached the end zone from 20 yards out to move the score to a 14-0 Wildcat lead after another Ray extra point.  Ryan's interception set up the scoring drive. 

In the second quarter, Michigan Tech scored twice, but a failed extra point saw NMU head into halftime with a 14-13 lead.   

The Huskies added another touchdown in the third quarter to take a 20-14 lead, but the Wildcats answered quickly.  After driving down the field, Mayon took a pitch and stopped to throw his first career touchdown pass, hitting Kruzel for the 30-yard touchdown, giving NMU the 21-20 lead.

However, Michigan Tech responded with a fourth touchdown and two-point conversion to take back a 28-21 lead. 

The Wildcats would be unable to score again, falling to 1-3 on the season and 1-2 in the GLIAC.  Michigan Tech improved to 3-2 overall, 2-1 in GLIAC play.

NMU returns to action Saturday to face Ashland University in the Superior Dome for another GLIAC clash.