Story, photo courtesy of Michigan Tech Athletics
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech football team turned the ball over five times in the first half as No. 1 Ferris State winning its 21st consecutive game, in a 38-10 decision at Kearly Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Ferris State (7-0, 3-0 GLIAC) saw their three-game shutout streak come to an end as Michigan Tech (5-2, 2-1 GLIAC) produced a 32-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Avery Kucharski at the beginning of the second quarter making it a 7-3 game as true freshman quarterback Elliott Larner recorded his second career touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
"Our expectations coming in for this game were a lot different than the way it went—I love the way our guys played, the energy and physicality were great, we just didn't execute well enough to beat a team like that," said Tech head coach Dan Mettlach. "Five turnovers in the first half is too much to overcome, let alone the penalties on top of it—to beat a team like that you've got to play a clean game and execute when it's necessary and we just didn't do that today."
Ferris State maintained the ball for nearly nine minutes in the opening quarter and scored on its second drive of the day, going 60 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead with quarterback Wyatt Bower finding Brett Taariik for a 23-yard TD pass.
Nolan Schopp saved a potential field goal in the first quarter blocking Mitchell Middeltons attempt from 47 yards with under three minutes remaining in the first stanza.
The Huskies struggled in the second quarter, being whistled for five penalties, accruing 41 yards. On top of that, the Black & Gold had four interceptions, including a pick-six, seeing the top team in the country put up 14 points in the period with Bower finding Carson Gulker for a nine-yard touchdown strike to go with the 29-yard pick-six by Alston Ware to make it 21-3 heading into halftime.
Veteran Jeffrey Price saved the Huskies from enduring another score, forcing a fumble in the endzone with under five minutes to play in the first half.
The Bulldogs opened it up to start the third quarter with 150 yards of offense in 17 plays, translating into 17 points with Bower rushing for a touchdown, connecting with Gulker for another TD pass and a 23-yard FG by Eddie Jewett sandwiched between the two touchdowns, making it a 38-3 affair with one quarter to play.
Quarterbacks Joe Hartlieb and Larner appeared in the second half for the Huskies. Hartlieb completed five of seven passes for 39 yards while Larner had nine carries, including a long of 20 yards and a score.
The Huskies' defense held the Bulldogs to their second-lowest scoring game of the season and a scoreless fourth quarter, as linebacker Chase Koch recorded a game-high 12 total tackles with Dakota Blackwell adding six.
The Huskies will be back on the road next week, for the shortest road trip of the season, traveling across U.S. 41 for a clash at Northern Michigan for the 23rd installment of the Miner's Cup.
