Venue & Game Details
Kickoff Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Hantz Stadium, Midland, Michigan
Competition: NCAA Division II – Non-Conference
Broadcast: FloCollege (video), 100.3 The Point (radio – Casey Ford on the call)
Weather Forecast (Midland, MI)
Conditions: Mostly sunny skies
Temperature at Kickoff: ~73°F (23°C)
Wind: 5–7 mph from the west
Impact: Ideal early-fall football weather — minimal wind effect on passing or special teams.
Injury & Availability Report
Northern Michigan Wildcats
Questionable: RB Noah Dobert (ankle soreness) — rushed for 97 yards in Week 1
Out: None reported
Notable: QB Austin Ridl — career-best 106 rushing yards in opener; RB Jahi Wood (85 yds) and Nico Lukkarinen also scored on the ground
Northwood Timberwolves
Questionable: WR2 (hamstring tightness)
Out: None reported
Notable: Season opener; returning QB and RB1 from 2024 squad that went 4–7
Recent Form & Trends
Northern Michigan: Explosive start in Week 1, jumping out to a 21–0 lead and rushing for 291 yards on 59 carries. Defense struggled against the pass, allowing 336 yards and 6 TDs to MSUM QB Jack Strand.
Northwood: Opens 2025 at home after a 2024 season marked by inconsistency — alternating wins and losses over the final six games. Offense averaged 21.4 PPG last year, defense allowed 28.7 PPG.
Series History
All-Time Series: Northern Michigan leads 16–14
Last Meeting: 2021 — Northern Michigan won 20–14 in Midland
Trend: Wildcats have won 3 of the last 4 meetings; most games in the past decade have been decided by one score.
Key Player Matchups
NMU Triple-Option Rushing Attack vs. Northwood Front Seven – NMU’s 291-yard ground game in Week 1 will test a Timberwolves defense that allowed 160+ rushing YPG in 2024.
Northwood QB vs. NMU Secondary – Wildcats surrendered 6 passing TDs last week; Northwood’s passing game could exploit mismatches if protection holds.
Special Teams Edge – Field position could be pivotal; NMU’s coverage units were solid in Week 1, while Northwood’s return game is a potential spark.
Betting Trends
Northern Michigan is 3-1 ATS in its last 4 games vs. Northwood.
Northwood is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 home games.
The Over has hit in 4 of the last 5 meetings.
Game Odds
Northern Michigan Wildcats – 4.5
Northwood Timberwolves 52.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
