This story was written by Michigan Tech Athletics. (MTU Photo)
HOUGHTON, Mich. – No. 19 Michigan Tech edged No. 6 Grand Valley State 41-35 on Saturday afternoon at Kearly Stadium, defeating the Lakers for the first time since 2014. The Lakers fumbled a field goal attempt in overtime, and then the Huskies scored on their possession with a one-yard quarterback dive by Alex Bueno.
"It's a big win," Tech coach Dan Mettlach said. "We felt like we had the team to beat them, and if we could keep the chunk plays to a minimum, then we would have a chance. We made some big plays when we needed them and got pressure to the QB. Everybody played well, and the special teams played a big part in this win. I'm proud of the guys.
"We have a gauntlet in the GLIAC, and we took care of business. We know who's next on our schedule. We're excited for that one already."
After GVSU scored with 6:05 left in the fourth quarter, the Huskies got the ball back looking to tie the game. They went 60 yards in nine plays before Alex Bueno found Jake Rueff in the flat for a 14-yard touchdown reception. Tech considered going for two but kicked the extra point after a timeout to tie the game with 65 seconds left.
In overtime, Tech's defense didn't allow a first down, and the Lakers tried a 37-yard field goal. The snap was fumbled, and the Huskies took over, needing points of any kind for the win.
Alex Bueno rushed for 23 yards to the two-yard line. GVSU held tall on defense for two plays on rushes by Bueno and Jake Rueff. Finally, on third and goal from the one, Bueno followed his linemen into the end zone for the walk-off winner—Tech's second overtime win this season at Kearly Stadium.
"It was good to get a win. This is going to be one of my favorite games of my career," Bueno said. "The coaches had a great game plan, and the guys executed it."
Tech scored on their first drive after Abram Larner had a 60-yard kickoff return on the opening play of the game to set up a short drive. Alex Bueno tossed to Abram Larner—the former Laker—for a 14-yard touchdown reception 55 seconds into the game.
The Lakers tied it up on their opening drive after a 14-play, 79-yard drive that went for 7:57. Harrison Unger tossed to Andrew Shuster for a two-yard score with 6:02 left in the first.
The Huskies went to work and retook the lead on the next drive. They set up for a 20-yard field goal, but the Lakers were whistled for a personal foul to set up a first-and-goal. Elliott Larner scrambled to the outside and found the end zone with 1:07 left in the first.
In the second quarter, GVSU capitalized on back-to-back personal fouls on the Huskies and tied the game back up after Bryce Hurley scored on a rush on fourth down from two yards out with 5:51 on the clock. The Huskies took a lead into halftime after having plays go for 19, 14, and 31 yards to set up another quarterback keeper by Elliott Larner. He found the end zone with 1:14 on the second-quarter clock. The Lakers scored the only points of the third quarter after Jake Vermaas scored on an 11-yard reception from Andrew Shuster at 10:35. The play capped off an 82-yard drive that went for only six plays.
GVSU then took its first lead of the game with 14:51 left in the fourth when Zak Olejniczak scored on a 58-yard run on fourth and inches.
The highlight play of the day came in the fourth quarter when GVSU punted off to Jaxon Lippert and Abram Larner. Lippert swung out to the right like the punt was going out of bounds, and everyone on the field followed him. Larner stayed on the left side and fielded the ball and scampered 74 yards to the end zone. Jaxon Lippert was the last Husky to score on a punt return in Oct. 2024 against Northern Michigan.
Zak Olejniczak tossed to Kellen Reed on a six-yard score for the Lakers' lead with 6:05 left in the fourth.
Alex Bueno finished 11 for 18 for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 49 yards on seven attempts. Elliott Larner added 44 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Abram Larner caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Andrew Schuster was 18 for 30 for 181 yards and two touchdowns for GVSU. Zak Olejniczak finished with 118 yards on the ground on nine rushes and a touchdown. Kellen Reed led the Lakers with 100 receiving yards on nine catches.
Dakota Blackwell led the Huskies with 11 tackles, including seven solos. Chase Koch added 10 tackles while Jamison Stamps and Mahdi Sabbagh added eight tackles each.
Michigan Tech hosted an all-class football reunion over the weekend, and 60 former Huskies were honored on the field at halftime.
The Huskies improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC and will remain at home next weekend, hosting NMU for the annual Miner's Cup game at Kearly Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon. It will also be Hall of Fame weekend, and former football Huskies Andy Bonk, Mike Horan, and Scott Keiser will be inducted Friday and honored at halftime on Saturday.
