PREVIEW: Tech hosts #19 Saginaw Valley State Saturday

HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Huskies meet No. 19 ranked Saginaw Valley State for the first of two times this season in non-conference play at Kearly Stadium Saturday at 1 p.m. The game can be heard on Mix 93.5 FM and pasty.net or watched via FloSports video stream. Tickets can be found at mtu.universitytickets.com. 

• Tech is fresh off a devastating loss at Midwestern State last Saturday. The Mustangs stunned MTU 28-21 with 14 points in the fourth quarter comeback.
• Head Coach Steve Olson spoke after the game and on Huskies Drive Time Tuesday about the importance of putting that game in the rearview mirror quickly and not allowing it to affect future performance. 
• The Cardinals present another challenge. Not only has SVSU claimed three non-conference victories in dominating fashion to start the fall, but they bring added motivation to Kearly Stadium having been bested in Houghton 21-20 on November 13, 2021.
• The win propelled MTU to a third place finish in the GLIAC regular season standings, one position ahead of Saginaw Valley State.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Huskies led for 49 minutes in Wichita Falls, Texas but a late interception for a touchdown allowed the Mustangs to pull ahead late. It was the longest road trip in Tech football history and temperatures were in the mid-nineties at kickoff. 
• Though the offense strugged in the first two games this season, Saturday's final numbers offer a sign the group of players the coaching staff refers to as the  'Husky Moving Company' is finally headed in a positive direction.
• Senior quarterback Will Ark completed 16 of 28 passes for 233 yards (season high) with two touchdowns and one interception. Brandon Michalak broke out for 77 yards on four receptions, including one touchdown.
• With the addition of 98 net yards on the ground, the Huskies posted a season high 331 of total offense. Veteran tailback Will Marano carried the ball 18 times for 54 yards with one touchdown. Fellow back Emmett Boehler measured 11 yards on four carries.

IT'S A SIPPEL EQUATION

• Sophomore linebacker Mark Sippel (Wausau, Wisconsin) continues to be dynamic on defense. He led the team in tackles for the third straight week, posting a season high 15 along with one tackle for loss.
• The previous week, Sippel collected 12 tackles. So far, he has been credited with 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
• Last season, Sippel made an impact as a freshman with 10 games played, 47 tackles (17 solo) and a pair of sacks.

BET ON BLACKWELL

• Senior strong safety Braxton Blackwell's name was called frequently in a southern accent Saturday as he notched double-figure tackles (12), along with one pass broken up against Midwestern State.
• A second team All-GLIAC selection last fall, Blackwell finished second on the squad with 74.0 total tackles.
• He also broke up a team best eight passes (fourth in the GLIAC) and returned one interception for 11 yards.
• Blackwell needs one to break the 100 career tackle barrier this week.

SPECIAL TEAMS REPORT

• More encouraging signs emerged Saturday on special teams in the return game after netting negative yardage against both Wisconsin-Platteville and St. Thomas to begin the year.
• The Huskies were desperate for good field position with time winding down on the final drive of the game Saturday. Enter Darius Willis, who backpedaled to the one-yard line and proceeded through traffic up the right side of the field for a 60-yard return. It was the longest return of the season by a Huskies player.
• Sophomore Kicker Drew Wyble missed a field goal for the first time by inches off the right goalpost from 43 yards, ending the first half.
• He remains a perfect 6-for-6 on extra point attempts and connected on a season long 40-yard field goal try against St. Thomas.

SCOUTING THE CARDS

• Saginaw Valley State continued to roll through its non-conference schedule with a 35-14 win in the Axe Bowl against rival Northwood University on Saturday.
• Senior quarterback Andrew Brito led the offense with 17 pass completions on 23 throws for 248 yards and two touchdowns. He added 11 carries for 110 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown run.
• He was awarded GLIAC offensive player of the week on Monday.
• In week two, the Cardinals upset Bowie State 40-12 at home. The Bulldogs had been ranked No. 9 in the nation at the time.
• Head coach Ryan Brady is in his third season in 2022 and also handles the quarterbacks room. He entered the fall with a 12-10 record and the Cardinals had 17 players recognized for All-GLIAC honors in 2021, including conference rushing leader Tommy Scott, who posted 1,044 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• First Team All-GLIAC wide receiver Casey Williams (Lansing, Michigan) returned as a senior. In three games, Williams has 125 yards with one touchdown. Last time out he was held to a modest 33 yards on three receptions but did find the endzone once. 
• Fellow wide out Derrick Hinton Jr. (Auburn, Michigan) was explosive against the Timberwolves.
• He assembled a career performance with 116 yards and one touchdown. His longest catch and run went for 53 yards.
• Three running backs posted better than 75 yards on Saturday. Tyler Amos ran 15 times for 75 yards and 1 touchdown, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
• Senior Connor Luksic narrowly beat out Drew Wyble as the top kicker in the conference last fall. Luksic posted a season long 48 yards and went 32-32 on extra points.
• So far, he is 2-for-4 and 14 of 15 on point after attempts.

WATCH THE HUSKIES

• Michigan Tech football in partnership with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced a four-year media partnership with FloSports beginning this fall. FloSports became the exclusive platform for the conference and will broadcast over 900 games across 21 sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball at MTU.

KEY RETURNERS

• No. 58 Hayden Huttula (Sr., C, Hartland, Mich.) - AFCA First Team All-American, GLIAC Commissioner's Award, Team Offensive Lineman of the Year. Started all 10 games, team captain.
• No. 3 Braxton Blackwell (Sr., DB, South Lyon, Mich.) - Second Team All-GLIAC, Second on team with 74.0 total tackles, including 32 solo, 1.5 sacks, team-high eight passes broken up.
• No. 15 Michael Bates Jr. (Jr., DB, Dearborn, Mich. - Captured team-high four interceptions patrolling the middle of the field, 100 yard interception for a touchdown at Northwood, seventh in total tackles (44.0) with 2.5 TFL, five passes broken up.
• No. 32 Drew Wyble (So., K, Marquette, Mich.) - Second Team All-GLIAC, Converted 9-11 field goals (82%) with season-long 35 yard game winner at Wayne St., 23-24 extra points (96%),
• No. 9 Austin Schlicht (So., DE, Oxford, Mich.) - Honorable Mention All-GLIAC, Team freshman of the year. Tied for second in the GLIAC in sacks (8.0), two forced fumbles.
• No. 8 Will Ark (Sr., QB, Green Bay, Wis.) - Honorable Mention All-GLIAC, Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award. Started all 10 games, 1,715 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, Rushing: 64 yards, two touchdowns. Averaged 37.3 yards per punt (19 total)

IF YOU'RE GOING

• If you have mobile tickets for today's game, before heading to the stadium, it is important to download your tickets to your mobile device in advance of game. This will ensure quick and easy access into the stadium in case you run into limited cellular service at and around Kearly Stadium.
• Outside food and drinks are not permitted within Kearly Stadium. Concessions will be available for purchase. Concessions accepts both cash and card payments.
• Parking is $5 cash per vehicle and $3 cash for Michigan Tech Students with a Student ID.
• Every VIP ticket comes with preferred parking in Lot 24. When you go to park, show the parking attendants your VIP ticket and they will let you in to park. If you purchased parking in Lot 85, you will show the parking attendants at Lot 85 your parking pass, and they will let you in to park.
• Visitor Guide
• Mobile Ticket Guide
• Concession Menu
• Ticket Office Home

DIRECTIONS TO KEARLY STADIUM

• From the South/ East: Enter Houghton via US-41. Turn left (south) at the first stoplight (MacInnes Drive). Continue on MacInnes Drive past the Student Development Complex. Stadium will be on the right. Main event parking is in Lot 24 (before stadium).
• From the West: Enter Houghton via M26. Turn right on Sharon Avenue. Go about 1.5 miles down the road. Stadium will be on the left. Main event parking is in Lot 24 (past stadium). 
• The Central Ticket Office at the Student Development Complex will be open before and during the game for any of your ticketing needs. If you need to pick up tickets at Will Call they will be located at the office within the Student Development Complex. If you have any issues with your tickets you may visit the ticket office for assistance or stop by one of the ticket booths at the entrances of the stadium.

HUSKY MERCHANDISE

• Looking for new Huskies gear? Make sure to visit University Images located in the Student Development Complex for all your Michigan Tech merchandise and apparel need. University Images is open extended hours during sporting and other special events.
• University Images Hours