ALPENA — The Alpena Wildcats matched Big North Conference leader Marquette for much of Friday night before a late Sentinels touchdown ended the upset opportunity. Marquette defeated Alpena 34-21 at Wildcat Stadium in a game that was tied during the second quarter and remained within one score deep into the fourth.
The result moved Marquette to 4-2 overall and 4-0 in the Big North Conference. Alpena dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in league play, with the loss marking the Wildcats' fifth consecutive defeat.
Alpena answers quickly after Marquette scores
Both teams punted on their opening possessions before Marquette broke the scoreless start. Landen Faccio ran 11 yards for a touchdown with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter, and the extra point put the Sentinels ahead 7-0.
Alpena answered immediately. Starting from its own 22-yard line, Cash Moughon found a seam, broke tackles and ran 78 yards for a touchdown. Andrew Szymoniak converted the extra point, tying the game at 7-7 just 21 seconds after Marquette had taken the lead.
Marquette regained the advantage on its next series. After an offsides penalty changed a fourth-and-9 situation to fourth-and-4, the Sentinels converted. Faccio then scored on a second-and-goal run, giving Marquette a 14-7 lead with 2:13 left in the opening quarter.
Alpena responded with a fourth-down decision that extended a second-quarter drive. The Wildcats used a fake punt on fourth-and-1 and, despite a penalty on the play, gained a first down at the Marquette 43.
Moughon later completed a third-and-9 pass to Greyson Srebnik and kept the ball for another first down on fourth-and-2. He found Gavin Ross near the goal line, then connected with Brody Misiak for a 10-yard touchdown on second-and-goal. Szymoniak's extra point tied the game 14-14 with 7:25 remaining in the half.
Sentinels hold narrow lead at halftime
Marquette answered with a 13-play drive before halftime. Winston Leonard completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Brody Clements, although the extra point was missed. The Sentinels led 20-14 with 48 seconds left in the half, and that remained the score at intermission.
Alpena's first possession after halftime stalled deep in Marquette territory. The Wildcats punted from the Sentinels' 12-yard line, and Marquette took over at its own 48 after Alpena failed to convert on fourth down.
Marquette turned the field position into another touchdown, scoring on a pass to Blackburn. The extra point again was unsuccessful, leaving the Sentinels ahead 26-14 with 4:35 left in the third quarter.
The Wildcats responded with a 10-play drive that reached the Marquette 10-yard line as the third quarter ended. Szymoniak opened the fourth quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run on second-and-goal. His extra point cut the deficit to 26-21 with 11:55 remaining.
Late Marquette drive ends Alpena's comeback chance
Alpena's defense appeared to create another opportunity when Marquette faced fourth-and-7 at the Alpena 27. Ross made the tackle that stopped the drive, and the Wildcats took possession with 7:44 to play.
The chance ended after Moughon was sacked on third-and-9, forcing Alpena to punt. Marquette started its final drive at its own 35 and faced fourth-and-10 with 1:42 remaining.
Leonard then connected with Clements for a 21-yard pass on a post route, taking the Sentinels to the Alpena 3. Faccio scored his third touchdown of the night on the next play, and Marquette added a successful two-point conversion to make it 34-21.
Moughon finished with 280 yards of total offense. He rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown on nine carries and completed 13 of 21 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception in the final seconds.
Szymoniak, Misiak, Srebnik and Ross each contributed to the drives that kept Alpena close against a Marquette team that entered the game having won three straight.
The Wildcats will return to Wildcat Stadium on Friday to face Petoskey in another Big North Conference game. The contest also is scheduled as Cancer-Awareness Night, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.