Escanaba senior Nolan Bink throws a pass against Marquette on Sct. 3, 2025. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — For the first time in eight years, the Escanaba Eskymos picked up a win over the Marquette Sentinels 38-20 here Friday. Senior Nolan Bink had a career day as he rushed for 175 yards and three touchdowns on the ground as well as 141 yards through the air and two scores.

“It was a huge win for us tonight,” Bink said. “We knew we had a good chance coming in and a chance to go 6-0 and that is huge for our community as well and everyone played great tonight.”

Escanaba got on the board first with 7:42 to go in the first quarter as Bink connected with senior Ashton Rymkos on 3rd and 9 for an 85-yard TD pass to put the Eskymos up 7-0.

With 10:51 to go in the second quarter, Bink took the ball 38 yards to the house extending the Eskymos lead to 14-0.

With 7:21 to go in the first half Bink drove it through the middle for a 2-yard TD run to put the Eskymos up 21-0.

“We had been talking about adversity all week,” Eskymos coach Bailey Lamb said. “And what it takes to make the next step and to be that great team and we still have a lot of work to do but I’m very proud of these boys and how they came out and fought for four quarters.”

Marquette got on the board with 6:22 to go in the first half as senior quarterback Ford Richardson connected with senior Pierce Pittsley for a 79-yard TD to cit the deficit to 21-7.

The Eskymos got a field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 24-7 lead into the halftime break.

With 4:37 to go in the third quarter, Bink threw his second TD of the game, this one to senior Gavin Wagner from 16 yards out to extend the Eskymos lead to 31-7.

With 3:01 to go in the third quarter Richardson hooked up with Pittsley for a 70-yard TD to cut the deficit to 31-14.

Escanaba answered wit a 81=tard TD run by Bink with 1:08 to go in the third quarter extending the lead to 38-14.

“You are not going to see many, like him,” Lamb said. “That’s why we brought him in a a sophomore and he has taken the challenge on every step of the way and has been a leader to this program.”

Richardson threw his third TD pass of the game to Pittsley with 11:36 to go in the game but that was the last score of the contest.

Pittsley led Marquette with 4 catches, 195 yards and 3 TDs. Bink led the ground attack for Escanaba as he carried the ball 21 times for 175 yards and 2 TDs.

Escanaba will host undefeated Gaylord on Friday as the two teams meet for a battle for the Big North Conference title.