(Game Notes/Preview) Huskies Head to Tiffin for GLIAC Showdown Saturday
Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Sat., Nov. 4, 2017 • 1:00 p.m. (ET) • Frost-Kalnow Stadium (4,500)
Michigan Tech (4-5, 3-4 GLIAC) at Tiffin (5-4, 4-3 GLIAC)
Video: http://www.tudragonradio.com
Radio Broadcast: WKMJ 93.5 FM (Josh Ylitalo, Kirk McDonnell)
Audio Webcast: Pasty.net
Live Stats: http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2017-18/schedule
WEEK 9 IN REVIEW
Michigan Tech got back on track Saturday with a 17-10 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Davenport University at Sherman Field. The Huskies had big plays from the defense, special teams, and the offense on their way to an important conference win that snapped a span of three setbacks in a row. Freshman quarterback Garrett Young tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Kevin Kirkland, junior running back Eric Kostreva brought a kickoff back 93 yards for a touchdown, and sophomore kicker Evan Gornick connected on a 34-yard field goal. The Huskies' defense forced three turnovers, had five sacks, and 11 tackles for a loss.
KOSTREVA GOES THE DISTANCE
Eric Kostreva picked the perfect time for his first career kickoff return for a touchdown in Saturday's win against Davenport. Kostreva put the Huskies back on top to stay with a 93-yard touchdown return after the Panthers had taken a 10-7 lead with just under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Kostreva finished the game with two returns which totaled 123 yards. They were the first kickoff returns for Kostreva this season, filling in for senior James Henderson who started at tailback last week. Kostreva has 24 career kickoff returns and is averaging 25.4 yards per return. It's the second consecutive week that Tech has returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Sophomore Jacob Wenzlick brought back a kickoff 93 yards for a score against Wayne State the previous week. Prior to that return, it had been five years since MTU had a kickoff return for a touchdown. Akeem Cason ran a kick back 98 yards for a touchdown against Grand Valley State on September 29th, 2012 at Sherman Field.
BACK TO BACK BLOCKS
Not only did the Huskies get kick off returns in back to back weeks, but they have blocked kicks two weekends in a row as well. In fact, the Huskies accomplished that feat twice this season. Tech blocked a field goal at Saginaw Valley State September 23rd and did it again the next week in the Miner's Cup win over Northern Michigan at Sherman Field. Last week, it was sophomore Brandon Oja who got his hands on a punt for his first career block. The Huskies tipped another punt that made it's way past the line of scrimmage, but the deflection certainly shortened the distance it traveled. Michigan Tech has five blocked kicks this year which leads the GLIAC and is 13th best in NCAA Division II. Senior Spencer Moran has two of the five blocked kicks for Tech, including a blocked extra point the previous week against Wayne State.
TURNOVERS, SACKS, AND TFL'S
The Michigan Tech defense had one of its best games of the season in the victory over Davenport. The Huskies had a season high five sacks, forced a season best three turnovers, and racked up 11 tackles for a loss. Junior Cody Goldsworthy recovered a fumble which setup Tech's first touchdown in the second quarter. Senior defensive back Derek Cingel and sophomore linebacker Marvin Wright had two key fourth quarter interceptions to help seal the win. Goldsworthy notched eight tackles, which included two sacks, five tackles for a loss, the fumble revovery, and one quarterback hurry. Sophomore defensive back Travis Tidwell made seven stops and broke up four passes in the victory. Junior defensive end Garrett Ross collected six tackles with 1.5 sacks and 2 tackles for a loss. On the season, the Huskies' defense has 16 sacks and 57 tackles for a loss through nine games.
YOUNG'S DEBUT
Quarterback Garrett Young made his first collegiate start in Saturday's win against Davenport. He completed 11 passes for 92 yards and tossed a touchdown strike to junior wide receiver Kevin Kirkland in the second quarter. He has appeared in three games with 13 completions on the season. Young is from Tampa, Florida where he was the Florida Divsion 2A Player of the Year Runner-Up at Cambridge Christian High School in 2014. He had 61 career touchdown passes and 5,451 yards during his prep career. He also rushed for 1,471 yards and 32 touchdowns.
IN THE RANKINGS
Senior running back John Williams leads the GLIAC and is 22nd in NCAA Division II with 11 rushing touchdowns going into this weekend. Willams had one against Wayne State and NMU to go along with three at SVSU, one against GVSU, two at Hillsdale, and three in week one against Truman State. Williams ranks fifth in the GLIAC in rushing yards (804) and is averaging 100.5 yards per game which is fourth best in the GLIAC. James Henderson is third in the GLIAC in combined kickoff return yardage (490). The Huskies are second in the conference and 24th in the country for fewest tackles for a loss allowed per game (4.56). They are second in the GLIAC and 33rd nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.33). Tech's fifth blocked kick of the year last week pushed them into the GLIAC lead and a ranking of 13th in NCAA Division II. The Huskies are one of the least penalized teams in the country, ranking first in fewest penalty yards (242) and penalty yards per game (26.89). Moran leads the GLIAC in blocked kicks with two and is 10th in NCAA Division II.
SCOUTING THE DRAGONS
Tiffin enters the weekend with an overall record of 5-4 and 4-3 in the GLIAC standings. The Dragons have stuggled a bit recently having lost two straight, but are a very talented and athletic team. Tiffin fell at Saginaw Valley State last week 14-9 and were within two possessions of 11th ranked Ashland the week before in a 38-24 decision on October 21st.
The Huskies' defense will see numerous four and five wide receiver sets for the second straight week on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons will look to throw first in an offense modeled after former Kenutcky Head Coach Hal Mumme's Air Raid offense. The Dragons average 226.8 yards per game through the air, but can also run the football effectively with a 152.7 yards per game average. Tiffin Head Coach Gary Goff played for Mumme as a wide receiver when he was at NCAA Division II Valdosta State. Quarterback Nick Watson has passed for 2,027 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions through nine games this season. He is also dangerous with his feet, entering the game with 262 rushing yards with five additional scores on the ground. Running back JaQuan Hardy has 806 yards rushing with six touchdowns and a 5.1 yards per carry average. Receiver Tyler Denton has 28 receptions for 495 yards and five touchdowns.
Tiffin's defense is allowing just 20.8 points per game and ranks fourth in the GLIAC in that category. Linebacker Brandon Burks is the leading tackler with 75 total stops that include 4.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and one interception. Defensive backs Carrington Contee, Jawan Nelson, and Delan Wynn each have a pair of interceptions this season. The defense as a whole has 26 sacks and 77 tackles for a loss in 2017.
SERIES VS. TIFFIN
Michigan Tech suffered its first loss in the all time series with Tiffin last season in a 24-17 setback on the road. The Huskies own six wins, including the first ever meeting which went Tech's way 32-28 in Houghton on November, 1st of 2008. Including this Saturday's game, four of the last five meetings haven been played in Tiffin. The Huskies defeated the Dragons 39-38 in overtime on October 31st, 2015 the last time the game was played at Sherman Field. Fullback Alex Sherbinow ended up producing the game winning touchdown run in overtime after the Dragons had scored on their possession to start the extra frame. The Huskies went for two and running back Kevin Miller found the end zone on the two-point play to put Tech over the top. Quarterback Brandon Cowie completed 20 of 24 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns to power the offense that day. Miller ended the game with 98 rushing yards and Brett Gervais returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown. This will be the eighth meeting between the Huskies and Dragons.
CAPTAINS
Huskies' team captains for the 2017 season are defensive lineman Cayman Berg-Morales, running back John Williams, quarterback Jake Brown, and defensive back Mitchell Ryan.
HUSKIES 6TH IN GLIAC PRESEASON POLL
Michigan Tech is picked to finish 6th (38 points) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, announced at the beginning of August by the conference office. Grand Valley State and Ferris State are at the top of rankings at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. The Lakers edged the Bulldogs for the top spot by two points with 77 points. Ashland (#3, 67 points), Wayne State (#4, 54 points), and Saginaw Valley State (#5, 41 points) round out the top five in this year's poll.
COACH OLSON YEAR ONE
New Head Coach Steve Olson takes the reigns of the program after serving as an assistant coach under Tom Kearly for six seasons, including the past three as defensive coordinator. Olson's defenses have been some of the best in the GLIAC year in and year out in multiple statistical categories.
HUSKIES BITES
The Michigan Tech coaching staff went through some transition during the offseason. Steve Olson was named the head coach after serving as the defensive coordinator during the 2016 campaign. Dan Mettlach returned to Tech to join the coaching staff after an outstanding career as a player. He was named the offensive coordinator after Eric Ieuter joined the staff at the University of Florida. Former Husky running back Phil Milbrath returned to Tech as the new running back's coach earlier this month and Ken Klein returned as an assitant coach on the defenisve side of the ball. Bryan Thomas and Josh Wood were promoted to co-defensive coordinator roles. David Sartin continues in his role as offensive line coach with Tim Callahan assisting on the offesnive side of the ball while Michael Donnelly is an assistant coach for the defense.
UP NEXT
Michigan Tech wraps up the 2017 season next Saturday at home against 12th ranked Ferris State University at Sherman Field. The Huskies will also honor the 2017 seniors prior to Saturday's kickoff. Saturday's game will also be part of Millitary Appreciation Weekend as Michigan Tech honors those who serve and have served in our armed forces.