A Turnaround Fueled by Standout Talent
Northern Michigan University entered the 2025 season under new head coach Matt Janus with a clear goal: bounce back from a disappointing 3-8 record. The Wildcats opened the year with a home matchup against Minnesota State-Moorhead and concluded the schedule with a clash against Tiffin, setting the stage for a 2026 campaign that begins at the Superior Dome on September 5.
At the heart of the revival is sophomore running back Noah Dobert, a native of Dearborn who transformed his role into a offensive engine. Dobert logged 1,656 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, placing him third nationally in yards per game and earning a near-record 406-yard performance against Wayne State in the final weeks of the season. His explosiveness secured him D2Football.com National Offensive Player of the Week honors and multiple conference accolades.
Complementing Dobert's offensive firepower is senior linebacker Jax Hertel, a Walworth, Wisconsin product who anchored the defense. Hertel tallied 101 tackles, including 14.5 for loss, forced a fumble, and returned an interception for a touchdown. His presence helped the Wildcats tighten a unit that had previously surrendered over 60 points per game in the two seasons prior.
Both athletes were recognized on the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, a prestigious compilation that included 98 Division II standouts, with 25 earning First Team and another 25 landing on the Second Team. The list, curated by D2Football.com staff and input from coaches and scout Josh Buchanan, underscores the growing national visibility of the Wildcats' key contributors.
The accolades extend beyond individual statistics. In December 2025, Dobert received Northern Michigan's first All-American nod from the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association, landing on the Second Team. The program's resurgence also reflects broader conference dynamics, as the Wildcats compete in the GLIAC, a league that continues to shape the landscape of Division II football.