#12 NORTHWOOD TIMBERWOLVES

THE TIMBERWOLVES OF NORTHWOOD started the 2006 season strong with high rankings before falling hard to eventual national champion Grand Valley, a close upset by Ferris State and an overtime loss in the first round of the playoffs to South Dakota. Head Coach Pat Riepma (84-64-2) is entering his 15th season at NU and only lacks three wins to be the winningest coach in the school’s history. His teams have won three GLIAC championships and he was named GLIAC Coach of the Year four times. This season will feature a full slate of in conference foes with home games against Mercyhurst, Michigan Tech, Saginaw Valley, Grand Valley and Indianapolis. While the Timberwolves lose GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year, Charleston Hughes, they return six members of the GLIAC All-Conference team including first team selections Torris Childs (HB) and Dan Marshall (OL). Also returning are second team selections Luke Crombach (OL) and Kyle Clement (OL) along with honorable mention selections Dexter Reid (DB) and Matt Worton (DL). Last season, NU fared well in several statistical categories. When compared to all other D2 schools, the Timberwolves were second in rushing offense, first in passes had intercepted (with only 4), first in pass sacks allowed (4), and sixth in turnover margin.