NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Football 2010 www.nmu.edu/athletics Quick Facts Table of Contents GLIAC/Quick Facts ..........................................1 2010 Recap ................................................2 Head Coach Bernie Anderson .................................3 he Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) was Coaching Staff ............................................4-5 founded in 1972. During the two years previous to the GLIAC’s founding, several attempts were made to create a new NCAA Administration .............................................5 T 2010 Roster .............................................6-7 College Division conference. In 1971, the Great Lakes Athletic Conference was formed, but plans for the new conference were put on hold and several Photos ....................................................8 of the participating schools subsequently withdrew their support. Player Profiles ...........................................9-11 However, the idea for a new conference did not die, and since 1972- 2010 In Review .........................................12-16 73 the GLIAC has been a leader in the advancement and promotion of 2010 GLIAC Standings/Honors ...............................17 intercollegiate athletics for men and women. The charter members of the GLIAC were Ferris State University, GLIAC Teams ..........................................18-19 Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Northwood All-Time Honors ........................................20-22 University and Saginaw Valley State University. Team Records .............................................23 Expansion of the GLIAC began immediately with the addition of Individual Records ..........................................24 Oakland University in 1974. Hillsdale College and Northern Michigan Coaching Records ..........................................25 University were accepted as members in 1975, while Wayne State University Playoff History .............................................25 joined in 1976. In 1977, the conference lost its first member when Northern Michigan withdrew. Michigan Tech University filled the vacancy when it Win-Loss Records by Year ...................................26 became a member in 1980. Win-Loss Records vs. All Foes ................................27 After the 1986-87 season, Northwood left the conference and was Superior Dome Records ....................................28 replaced by Northern Michigan. Northwood rejoined the conference in Letterwinners ..........................................29-31 1992. NMU Profile ...........................................32-36 After the 1989 season, the conference dropped football as a sponsored sport. The conference schools sponsoring football joined the members of the Heartland Collegiate Conference in forming the football-only Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), which began play in 1990. After nine years of existence as one of the premier conferences in Division II football, the MIFC merged as part of GLIAC on July 1, 1999. With NMU Quick Facts the merger, the University of Indianapolis became an associate member as a Location: Marquette, Mich. 49855 football-only school. Founded: 1899 The GLIAC entered a new era in the 1995-96 school year. Prior to Enrollment: 9,400 1995-96, all member institutions of the GLIAC were located in the state of President: Les Wong Michigan. On December 14, 1994, membership was offered to three schools Julie Rochester located in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The expansion members were Ashland NCAA and GLIAC Faculty Representative: University of Ashland, Ohio, and Gannon University and Mercyhurst College, National Affiliation (Football): NCAA II both located in Erie, Pa. All three schools began their membership July 1, 1995. Conference: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) On July 1, 1997, membership was granted to The University of School Colors: Old Gold and Olive Green Findlay, located in Findlay, Ohio. Findlay replaced Oakland University, which Nickname: Wildcats withdrew from the conference after the 1996-97 season as it moved to Home Field: Superior Dome (8,000) NCAA Division I status. Westminster College, located in New Wilmington, Pa., became the Athletic Director: Ken Godfrey 14th member of the GLIAC when it accepted its expansion offer in May of Head Football Coach: Bernie Anderson 1997. On June 30, 2000 Westminster left the conference as it changed its Alma Mater: Northern Michigan University, 1978 affiliation to NCAA Division III. Overall Record/Years: 114-126/24 Tiffin University, located in Tiffin, Ohio accepted an offer to join the NMU Record/Years: 21-30/5 GLIAC in June of 2007. The two Erie, Pa. schools (Gannon and Mercyhurst) 2010 Overall Record: 5-6 left the conference at the conclusion of the 2007-08 academic year to join the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). 2010 GLIAC Record/Place: 5-5/T-6th Lake Erie College and Ohio Dominican University joined the GLIAC Athletic Office: 906-227-2105 for the 2010-11 school year. Both schools are from Ohio. SID E-Mail: [email protected] Overall the GLIAC conducts championships in 21 sports, 11 for men SID Fax Number: 906-227-2492 and 10 for women. The policy-making body of the GLIAC is the Executive Press Box Number: 906-227-1720 Council, which is comprised of three representatives from each member Web Site: http: www.nmu.edu/athletics institution – its director of athletics, faculty athletics representative and senior woman administrator. Final approval of all GLIAC legislation is required by the Council of GLIAC Presidents. As GLIAC commissioner, Dell Robinson is responsible for all conference administration. He is beginning his first season as the conference’s sixth commissioner. More information about the GLIAC, its teams and staff members, is located at www.gliac.org. 1 2010 Recap The Northern Michigan University football team concluded Dustin Brancheau led the ‘Cats receiving corps with 38 the 2010 season with a record of 5-6. NMU’s record in the Great receptions for 507 yards. He hauled in a team-high five touchdown Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) was 5-5 which catches. Newcomer Christian Marble-King saw action in and out was good for a tie for third place in the North Division and tie for of the backfield with the new spread offense. He finished with sixth overall in the GLIAC. 27 catches for 299 yards and one score. Blake Crider and Craig NMU started the season off with a non-conference loss Thompson made the switch from tight end to the wide receiver against Minnesota State-Mankato (6-7). The ‘Cats went on to win position and combined for three touchdowns on the season. Tony the next three games against Findlay (49-10), Northwood (31-17) Awrey was the ‘Cats final top target and hauled in 12 catches for and a memorable homecom- 165 yards and a score. ing game with Ashland (23-19), Defensively the ‘Cats gave up which saw the return of the on average 253.6 yards a game and 1975 National Championship averaged 16.6 points a game in team reconvene. The next two scoring defense. NMU was ranked weeks the ‘Cats lost to Wayne first in the GLIAC in total defense State (18-26) and then number and 8th in the country. Junior Ed- one ranked Grand Valley State die Knoblock led the ‘Cats in total (7-28). NMU lost junior signal tackles with 83 total tackles (44 solo caller Carter Kopach for the and 39 assisted). He also recorded season in the game against a team-high five interceptions and Grand Valley which then shifted returning two of those for scores. things for the offense. The last Zach Anderson was next on the list five weeks the ‘Cats struggled with 60 total tackles (26 solo and 34 and only came out victorious assisted) and had 5.5 sacks with two in two of those games. NMU forced fumbles. Anderson also fin- defeated Ferris State (22-20) ished with 12 tackles for loss which and lost to Indianapolis in a was good for 9th in the GLIAC. DJ nail bitter (5-6). NMU would Catalano finished with a career high rebound the following week 57 total tackles (26 solo and 31 as- by defeating Tiffin (43-14). The sisted). Josh Droese was right behind team struggled in the final two Catalano with 56 tackles (32 solo games losing to both Saginaw and 24 assisted). Valley (17-24) and rival Michigan As a group the ‘Cats intercept- Tech (0-12) in an ice bowl ed 14 passes and returned three for match up in Houghton. touchdowns. Along with Knoblock’s Offensively NMU moved two Marcus Tribble recorded the to the spread offense this other score. season which would be noted Garrett Peck handled the as a multiple formation offense punting duties once again this year that would be set up to confuse averaging 39.8 yards on 55 punts. 12 opposing defenses. The ‘Cats of those found their way inside the averaged 278.5 yards a game in 20 yard line. Anthony Leandri and total offense (140.1 rushing and Rock Belmonte shared kick-offs this 138.5 passing). Kopach who lead John Privitelli (#20) led the Wildcat ground game in 2010 with 693 season. Leandri averaged 57.4 yards in total offense (1,079 passing yards on 170 carries and 5 touchdowns. while Belmonte averaged 56.2 yards. and 274 rushing) showed that Each kicker recorded one touchback. he is the right person (back-to- Belmonte connected on 11-18 field back GLIAC Offensive Player of The Week in games against North- goals with his longest being a 51 yarder. wood and Ashland) to guide this NMU offense, that will return a NMU placed 10 members on the GLIAC All-Conference