Northern Michigan Wildcats football, 2020–present

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Northern Michigan Wildcats football program, 2020–present 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: Kyle Nystrom (2021–2022), Shane Richardson (2023–2025), and Matt Janus (2026-present).

ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Headcoach
Quick facts 2020–present, Conference ...
2020–present Northern Michigan Wildcats football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Head coach
Seasons
← 2019
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The Wildcats have not had a winning season since going 6–4 in 2009. In their first two seasons under Richardson, the Wildcats lost 22 consecutive games, compiling identical 11–0 records in 2023 and 2024 while being outscored by an average of 30.6 points per game during the two seasons.[1]

The team played its home games at the Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan.

Decade overview

More information Year, Head coach ...
Year Head coach Overall record Conf. record Conf. rank Points scored Points allowed Delta[2]
2021Kyle Nystrom4–72–55 (tie)233288-55
2022Kyle Nystrom4–71–56245317-72
2023Shane Richardson0–110–67144538-394
2024Shane Richardson0–110–78172451-279
2025 Shane Richardson 3-8 2-5 6 296 407 -111
TOTAL11–445–281,0902,001-911
Close

2020

Northern Michigan and the GLIAC did not compete in football during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
2021 Northern Michigan Wildcats football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record4–7 (2–5 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumSuperior Dome
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2021 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 7–0  14–0 
No. 7 Grand Valley State ^ 6–1  10–2 
Michigan Tech 5–2  6–4 
Saginaw Valley State 4–3  7–4 
Northern Michigan 2–5  4–7 
Davenport 2–5  3–8 
Wayne State (MI) 2–5  2–9 
Northwood 0–7  1–9 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
Close

The 2021 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Kyle Nystrom, the Wildcats compiled a 4–7 record (2–5 in conference games), tied for fifth place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 288 to 233.[3][4]

Quarterback Drake Davis tallied 1,401 passing yards and 340 rushing yards. Defensive lineman John McMullen tallied 45 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.[5]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 42:00 p.m.at McKendree*
W 27–201,200
September 111:00 p.m.Wisconsin–Oshkosh*
L 10–281,956
September 181:00 p.m.Davenport*
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
W 20–141,536
September 251:00 p.m.at Northwood*
L 20–371,946
October 24:00 p.m.Wayne State (MI)dagger
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
W 26–192,494
October 912:00 p.m.at Davenport
L 13–181,202
October 1612:00 p.m.Michigan Tech
WLUCL 14–213,597
October 231:00 p.m. No. 8 Grand Valley State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 24–282,012
October 301:00 p.m.at No. 1 Ferris State
L 24–442,460
November 61:00 p.m.at Saginaw Valley State
L 21–332,000
November 131:00 p.m.Northwood
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
W 34–261,806
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

[4]

2022

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
2022 Northern Michigan Wildcats football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record4–7 (1–5 GLIAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDylan Chmura (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorKirby Cannon (6th season)
Home stadiumSuperior Dome
Seasons
← 2021
2023 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2022 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Grand Valley State $^ 6–0  12–1 
No. 1 Ferris State ^ 5–1  14–1 
No. 20 Davenport ^ 4–2  8–3 
Saginaw Valley State 3–3  8–3 
Michigan Tech 2–4  4–7 
Northern Michigan 1–5  4–7 
Wayne State (MI) 0–6  1–9 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
Close

The 2022 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University in the GLIAC during the 2022 NCAA Division II season. In their fifth and final season uner head coach Kyle Nystrom, the Wildcats compiled a 4–7 record (1–5 in conference games) and finished sixth in the GLIAC.[6][7]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 17:00 p.m.McKendree*
L 24–31 OT1,200
September 101:00 p.m.Wisconsin–Oshkosh*
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
W 13–101,200
September 1712:00 p.m.at Davenport*
L 21–311,366
September 242:00 p.m.Post*dagger
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
W 42–141,442
October 16:00 p.m.at Wayne State
W 37–304,187
October 81:00 p.m.Davenport
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 24–27 OT1,143
October 151:00 p.m.at Michigan Tech
FloSportsL 7–211,629
October 223:00 p.m.at No. 1 Grand Valley State
FloSportsL 3–5611,812[8][9]
October 291:00 p.m. No. 7 Ferris State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 20–561,769[10]
November 51:00 p.m.Saginaw Valley State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 21–301,198[11]
November 1212:00 p.m.at Lake Erie*
W 33–11331
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

[7]

2023

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
2023 Northern Michigan Wildcats football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record0–11 (0–6 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumSuperior Dome
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Grand Valley State $^ 6–0  11–2 
No. 9 Ferris State ^ 5–1  8–3 
Davenport 4–2  8–2 
Saginaw Valley State 3–3  6–5 
Wayne State (MI) 2–4  3–8 
Michigan Tech 1–5  5–5 
Northern Michigan 0–6  0–11 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
Close

The 2023 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Kyle Nystrom, the Wildcats compiled a 0–11 record (0–6 in conference games), finished in last place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 538 to 144.[12][13]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 317:00 p.m.at Minnesota Duluth*
L 10–473,308
September 91:00 p.m.Lake Erie*
L 21–241,995
September 162:00 p.m.Wisconsin–La Crosse*dagger
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 3–342,874
September 232:00 p.m.at Quincy*
L 27–45462
September 303:00 p.m.at No. 1 Ferris State
FloSportsL 3–785,642[14]
October 72:00 p.m.at No. 16 Davenport
L 12–281,666
October 147:00 p.m.Michigan Tech
FloSports/WLUCL 0–625,907
October 211:00 p.m. No. 4 Grand Valley State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 14–733,447
October 281:00 p.m.Wayne State (MI)
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 17–412,881
November 41:00 p.m.at Saginaw Valley State
L 17–62
November 111:00 p.m.Northern State*
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 20–442,101
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

[13]

2024

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
2024 Northern Michigan Wildcats football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record0–11 (0–7 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumSuperior Dome
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2024 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 7–0  14–1 
No. 6 Grand Valley State ^ 6–1  11–2 
Davenport 4–3  7–4 
Michigan Tech 4–3  7–4 
Saginaw Valley State 4–3  7–4 
Wayne State (MI) 2–5  2–9 
Roosevelt* 1–6  1–9 
Northern Michigan 0–7  0–11 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Roosevelt ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA
Rankings from AFCA poll
Close

The 2024 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Shane Richardson, the Wildcats compiled a 0–11 record (0–7 in conference games), finished in last place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 451 to 172.[15][16]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 296:00 p.m. No. 17 Minnesota Duluth*
L 7–352,142[17]
September 57:00 p.m.at Kentucky Wesleyan*
L 13–33
September 142:00 p.m.at No. 6 D-III Wisconsin–La Crosse*
L 21–353,110[18][19][20]
September 211:00 p.m.Alma*dagger
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 27–443,409
October 51:00 p.m.Saginaw Valley State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 14–632,553
October 127:00 p.m.at No. 2 Grand Valley State
L 17–497,002
October 191:00 p.m.Roosevelt
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 10–16 OT2,261
October 2612:00 p.m.at Michigan Tech
FloSports/WLUCL 9–391,984[21]
November 21:00 p.m. No. 2 Ferris State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
L 9–551,873[22]
November 912:00 p.m.at Davenport
L 31–521,203
November 161:00 p.m.at Wayne State (MI)
L 14–301,115
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

[16]

2025

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
2025 Northern Michigan Wildcats football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record3–8 (2–5 GLIAC)
Head coach
  • Shane Richardson (3rd season; first 9 games)
  • Billy Lindquist (interim, remainder)
Home stadiumSuperior Dome
Seasons
← 2024
2026 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2025 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 7–0  16–0 
Grand Valley State 5–2  7–3 
Saginaw Valley State 5–2  6–5 
Michigan Tech 4–3  7–4 
Davenport 4–3  5–5 
Northern Michigan 2–5  3–8 
Roosevelt* 1–6  2–8 
Wayne State (MI) 0–7  0–11 
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Roosevelt ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA
Rankings from AFCA poll
Close

The 2025 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represents Northern Michigan University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division II football season.[23] They were expected to be led by Shane Richardson before he resigned on November 7.[24]

In February 2023, quarterback Aidan Hoard, a 6'5" quarterback from Frankenmuth, committed to play for Northern Michigan. His father, Matt Hoard, previously played quarterback for the Wildcats and was named NCAA Division II Player of the Year.[25]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 286:00 p.m.Minnesota State Moorhead*
L 37–44 2,021 [26][27]
September 612:00 p.m.at Northwood*
L 18–23 1,633
September 131:00 p.m.St. Thomas (MN)*
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
FloSportsL 7–20 2,180
September 201:00 p.m.Davenportdagger
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
FloSportsL 16–35 2,680
October 42:00 p.m.at Saginaw Valley State
L 25–47 3,226
October 117:00 p.m. No. 8 Grand Valley State
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
FloSports L 7–35 3,216
October 182:00 p.m.at Roosevelt
FloSportsW 42–21749
October 2512:00 p.m.Michigan Tech
FloSportsL 17–564,468
November 11:00 p.m.at No. 1 Ferris State
 L 35–702,843
November 812:00 p.m.at Davenport*
FloSportsW 47–45 4OT767
November 151:00 p.m.Wayne State (MI)
  • Superior Dome
  • Marquette, MI
FloSportsW 45–112,298
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

References

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