Michigan Tech Huskies Ride Grit Into Showdown With Undefeated Ferris State

Michigan Tech Huskies Ride Grit Into Showdown With Undefeated Ferris State

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies claimed a hard-fought 16-14 victory over the Davenport Panthers, showcasing the team’s growth and resilience as they improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in GLIAC play. Despite the close score, the win reflects the maturity of the Huskies, as they navigated tough situations throughout the game.

Coach Dan Mettlach praised his team’s effort, emphasizing their physical play and the defensive accomplishments that limited Davenport’s scoring opportunities. “Our guys played hard. I loved our physicality, obviously, and we limited them quite a bit defensively. We did well moving the football, but we need to improve in the red zone,” he said, highlighting the areas for improvement ahead of their matchup against Ferris State.

Mettlach put a particular emphasis on winning in Caledonia, recognizing the historical challenges his team faced at that location. “We discussed as a team the importance of this game, recalling previous years where we played well but couldn’t secure the victory. Our focus was simply to find a way to win, no matter how it happened,” he noted. The team’s determination paid off, especially in crucial moments during the fourth quarter when they managed to maintain their lead amid pressure.

Defensively, the Huskies performed admirably, conceding just 131 passing yards and 55 rushing yards. Junior linebacker Chase Koch led with 11 tackles while senior defensive back Dante Basanese contributed significantly with eight tackles. The defensive line, including Pierce Miller, Connor Hindenach, and Porter Zeeman, played a vital role in bolstering the team’s defense throughout the game.

On the offensive side, however, the Huskies faced challenges against a strong Panther defense. Mettlach acknowledged Davenport’s athleticism and pointed out that the Panthers effectively covered the field, making it difficult for Michigan Tech’s skill players to create offensive momentum. “We anticipated their aggressive play, but we couldn’t quite exploit the opportunities we thought were there,” he explained.

Looking ahead, the Huskies will host top-ranked Ferris State at Kearly Stadium this Saturday, facing a significant challenge as the Bulldogs sit at an unblemished 6-0 record. Mettlach understands the implications of this game and urged his team to focus on their strengths rather than be intimidated by the Bulldogs’ reputation. “We have to execute on all three phases of the game, and not just go play based on their past successes or their jersey,” he stated.

Ferris State has been dominant this season, recently defeating Wayne State 59-0. Their offense is spearheaded by redshirt freshman Wyatt Bower, who has recorded 1,140 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, along with an impressive ground game led by Bower and junior Zak Ahern.

The Huskies’ matchup against Ferris State is set for a 12 p.m. kickoff this Saturday, and it presents an opportunity for them to demonstrate their capabilities against one of the nation’s top teams. Coach Mettlach’s confidence in his players and emphasis on executing their game plan could play a crucial role in their performance as they aim to extend their winning streak at home.

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