Northwood University opens 2015 season with emotional win

Northwood University started the 2015 college football season on the right note today at Hantz Stadium.   The Timberwolves defeated the Northern Michigan Wildcats 20-7 on an emotional day in which a tribute was paid to their late football coach Pat Riepma.   Riepma had been the Timberwolves Head Football coach for 16 seasons and Athletic Director at Northwood for another 6 years.   He passed away this past July after battling cancer.  Northwood honored Coach Riepma before the start of today's game with the unveiling of a Mural of the Coach on the front of Hantz Stadium. 

The Timberwolves defense played strong the entire game keeping Northern Michigan off the board until the final minutes of the game when NMU scored their only touchdown of the game.   Northwood lead 13-0 at halftime and could have had a larger lead if not stalling out on a couple of drives.   David Knudsen would kick two field goals for the T-Wolves but would also miss two shots during the game.   Senior quarterback Mark Morris would have a respectable day for the T-Wolves by passing for 15 out of 30 attempts for 166 yards/ one touchdown.   Jared Briguglio would carry most of the workload on the ground with 23 carries for 120 yards/ one touchdown.  

On a hot, sunny and humid day 3005 fans turned out for the first game of Northwood's 2015 season.   The next two weeks will see the T-Wolves on the road at Ferris State and then McKendree before returning on September 26 to face Wayne State University.  The game had a tense moment in the first half when Northwood wide receiver Devonta Elzy went high in the air to make a nice catch.  Upon impact to the ground the ball came out and Elzy lay motionless for a while.   Northwood's medical staff quickly attended to Elzy before he rose and walked off the field under his own power.  

In speaking briefly with GLIAC's Commissioner Dell Robinson before the game today on the state of conference he spoke in positive terms.  "We are a strong conference and always looking to become stronger with GLIAC member schools" stated Robinson.   He further mentioned "the conference can improve in areas as we strive to do so."   The upbeat Robinson plans to keep the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference moving in the right direction.