The Northern Michigan Wildcats football program, 2010–2019 represented Northern Michigan University during the 2010s in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team was led during the decade by three head coaches: Bernie Anderson (2006–2011); Chris Ostrowsky (2012–2016); and Kyle Nystrom (2017–2019, 2021–2022).
During the decade, the Wildcats did not have a winning season and compiled an overall record of 33–74. Their best season was 2010 when they compiled a 5–6 record, finished in a tie for third place in the GLIAC's North Division, and outscored opponents, 221 to 183.
The team played its home games at Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan.
Decade overview YearHead coachOverall recordConf. recordConf. rankPoints scoredPoints allowedDeltaDelta = the difference between points scored and points allowed2010Bernie Anderson5–65–5T–3 (North)221183+382011Bernie Anderson4–73–76 (North)290326-362012Chris Ostrowsky5–64–6T–7 (North)231346-1152013Chris Ostrowsky3–73–7T–6 (North)235342-107 2014Chris Ostrowsky3–82–8T–13 281314-332015Chris Ostrowsky5–64–6T–10315357-422016Chris Ostrowsky3–83–711340442-1022017Kyle Nystrom1–91–89172303-312018Kyle Nystrom3–81–7T–8291333-422019Kyle Nystrom1–90–89152319-167TOTAL33–74
2010
The 2010 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth year under head coach Bernie Anderson, the Wildcats compiled a 5–6 record (5–5 in conference games), finished in a four-way tie for third place in the GLIAC's North Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 221 to 183.
The team's statistical leaders included: Carter Kopach completed 52 of 96 passes (54.17%) for 820 yards, seven touchdowns, six interceptions and a 137.48 efficiency rating. John Privitelli tallied 487 rushing yards on 123 carries for an average of 4.0 yards per carry. D Brancheau tallied 25 receptions for 382 yards, an average of 15.28 yards per reception. Kicker Rockne Belmonte was the team's leading scorer with 44 points on eight field goals and 20 extra points. Josh Droese led the team with 48 total tackles.
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2011
The 2011 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2011 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth and final year under head coach Bernie Anderson, the Wildcats compiled a 4–7 record (3–7 in conference games), finished in a tie for third place in the GLIAC's North Division, and were outscored by a total of 326 to 290.
At the end of the 2011 season, Northern Michigan announced that it would not renew Anderson's contract as the school's head football coach.
The team's statistical leaders included: Carter Kopach completed 186 of 327 passes (56.88%) for 1,982 yards, 15 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and a 113.14 efficiencey rating. Kopach also had 502 rushing yards. Prince Young tallied 811 rushing yards on 177 carries for an average of 4.6 yards per carry. C Jessie led the team with 549 receiving yards on 50 receptions. C Marble-king led the team with 53 receptions for 429 yards. Julian Gaynes led the team with an average of 15.6 yards per reception (33 receptions for 515 yards). Kicker Rockne Belmonte led the team in scoring with 68 points on 13 field goals and 29 extra points. Zach Anderson led the team with 61 total tackles and 9.0 tackles for loss.
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2012
The 2012 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2012 NCAA Division II football season. In their first year under head coach Chris Ostrowsky, the Wildcats compiled a 5–6 record (4–6 in conference games), finished in a tie for last place in the GLIAC's North Division, and were outscored by a total of 346 to 231.
At the end of the 2011 season, Northern Michigan decided not to renew Bernie Anderson's contract as head coach. Ostrowsky, who had been the school's offensive coordinator the prior two season, was promoted to head coach.
The team's statistical leaders included: Cody Scepaniak completed 74 of 128 passes (57.8%) for 1,055 yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 133.14 efficiency rating. Scepaniak also rushed for 479, second best on the team. Prince Young tallied 545 rushing yards on 139 carries for an average of 3.9 yards per carry. C Jessie led the team with 501 receiving yards on 32 receptions (15.66 yards per catch). Julian Gaines led the team with 33 receptions, good for 380 yards. Starlin Darling led the team with an average of 16.55 yards per catch (20 receptions, 331 yards). Kicker Rockne Belmonte led the team in scoring with 67 points on 14 field goals and 25 extra points. Nick Krause led the team with 94 total tackles, including 56 solo tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss.
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2013
The 2013 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2013 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Chris Ostrowsky, the Wildcats compiled a 3–7 record (3–7 in conference games), finished in a tie for last place in the GLIAC's North Division, and were outscored by a total of 342 to 235.
The team's statistical leaders included: Shaye Brown completed 94 of 184 passes (51.09%) for 1,194 yards, seven touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 111.63 efficiency rating. Wyatt Jurasin tallied 545 rushing yards on 145 carries for an average of 3.8 yards per carry. Christian Jessie led the team with 724 receiving yards and an average of 15.4 yards per reception. Marcus Tucker led the team with 49 receptions for 674 yards. Kicker John Oberheide was the team's leading scorer with 39 points on seven field goals and 18 extra point kicks. Nick Krause led the team with 83 total tackles.
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2014
The 2014 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2014 NCAA Division II football season. In their third year under head coach Chris Ostrowsky, the Wildcats compiled a 3–8 record (2–8 in conference games), tied for 13th place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 314 to 281.
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2015
The 2015 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2015 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Chris Ostrowsky, the Wildcats compiled a 5–6 record (4–6 in conference games), tied for 10th place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 357 to 315.
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2016
The 2016 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Chris Ostrowsky, the Wildcats compiled a 3–8 record (3–7 in conference games), tied for 10th place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 442 to 340.
Jake Mayon led the team with 1,064 rushing yards on 185 carries for an average of 5.8 yards per carry. He also led the team in scoring with 84 points on 14 touchdowns.
Quarterback Shaye Brown completed 216 of 370 passes (58.38%) for 2,372 yards, 23 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 130.58 efficiency rating.
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2017
The 2017 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division II football season. In their first year under head coach Kyle Nystrom, the Wildcats compiled a 1–9 record (1–8 in conference games), finished in ninth place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 303 to 172.
The Wildcats hired Nystrom in December 2016 to take over as the school's head football coach. Nystrom had been the co-defensive coordinator at Ferris State. He spent two seasons at Ferris State and, before that, five season at Central Michigan and 13 seasons at Western Michigan.
Running back Jake Mayon led the team with 1,377 rushing yards on 211 carries for an average of 6.5 yards per carry. He also led the team in scoring with 48 points on eight touchdowns.
Quarterback Ryan Johnson completed 122 of 203 passes (60.1%) for 1,581 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions.
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2018
The 2018 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Kyle Nystrom, the Wildcats compiled a 3–8 record (1–7 in conference games), tied for last place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 333 to 291.
Running back Jake Mayon led the GLIAC with 1,505 rushing yards on 262 carries for an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He also led the team in scoring with 84 points on 14 touchdowns.
Quarterback Latrell Giles completed 60 of 114 passes (52.6%) for 989 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions.
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2019
The 2019 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2019 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Kyle Nystrom, the Wildcats compiled a 1–9 record (0–8 in conference games), finished in last place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 319 to 152.
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References