MARQUETTE — Former Northern Michigan Wildcats quarterback Steve Mariucci approached the storied 1975 football season third on the position’s depth chart. Injuries to the starter during a practice before the first game, and later to the backup five minutes into his first quarter of action, propelled the Iron Mountain native into the leading role.

Mariucci proved his mettle as a sophomore and, with ample support from the hard-working players that surrounded him, helped to clinch a playoff berth, national title and 13-1 record following a winless season the previous year. When the team was honored during halftime of the Oct. 11 football game, a symbolic number 18 jersey with Mariucci’s name was raised to the rafters of the Superior Dome. The ceremony capped off reunion events celebrating the

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