Tech Football Pummels Minot State, 37-3

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HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech football team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 37-3 victory over Minot State 37-3 at Kearly Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Huskies move to 5-4 overall and remain 1-4 within the GLIAC. Minot State falls to 1-9 overall with an NSIC record of 1-8.

"We're happy with the win, I thought we moved the ball well, especially in the first half and the defense played really well," head coach Dan Mettlach said. "Ultimately the guys played hard and took care of the ball for the most part. I thought we controlled the game from start to finish–there's some stuff we need to clean up with penalties before next weekend."

Michigan Tech produced 329 yards of total offense compared to Minot State's 149. The Huskies averaged 5.1 yards per play with 47 rushing attempts, producing 4.9 yards of offense per carry.

William Marano had 23 carries for 133 yards, scoring on a three-yard run in the opening quarter to take a 7-0 lead at 10:18. In the Huskies opening drive of the contest, quarterback Alex Fries had an impressive block for Darius Willis to allow the Warren, Michigan, native a 28-yard gain to put MTU in the red zone.

The Huskies opened the second quarter with an explosive 25-yard carry by Marano before Drew Wyble connected on a 23-yard field goal to make it 10-0 at 10:36.

Following a Minot State three-and-out, the Huskies offense showcased Patrick Kastner with two carries totaling 13-yards before Drew Collins found the end zone on a 10-yard quarterback keeper to elevate the lead to 17-0, taking only 2:13 off the clock trekking 55-yards.

Wyble capped the first half scoring with his second field goal of the day, this time from 27-yards to make it 20-0.

Michigan Tech's second offensive possession in the second half saw Wyble hit his second-longest field goal of the season, making a 46-yard field goal with 8:10 in the third quarter.

The Beavers' struggles continued as they found themselves on the wrong end of a muffed punt recovered by Jake Rueff at the 4:08 mark.

Dante Basanese made his presence known to open the final quarter with his third interception of the season, resulting in a 37-yard pick-six to give the Huskies a 30-0 edge.

The Huskies displayed depth in the run-game with Rueff and Nic Nora accounting for multiple carries before Fries connected with Champney in the endzone for a two-yard reception to conclude the Black & Gold's scoring at 37-0.

Minot State broke the scoring drought with less than a minute to play with a 38-yard pass, ultimately setting up the 33-yard field goal make to end the chances of a shutout.

Nolan Schopp impressed on the kick return with a 24-yard pickup before the final whistle blew.

Fries orchestrated the offense, throwing for 101-yards on 13-of-18 and a touchdown. Marano rushed for 133-yards and a touchdown, while Willis tied the school record for career receptions with five for 45 yards.

Wyble was automatic with four extra points and 3-for-3 on field goals.

Defensively, Hunter Buechel totaled seven tackles, while Marc Sippel and Samuel Kinne had six tackles. The Huskies had 13 tackles for loss, totaling 37 yards.

Minot State produced 149 yards of total offense, while Isaiah Bigby had a monster day for the Beavers' defense, totaling 20 tackles.

Up Next

The Huskies will conclude the regular season, welcoming Saginaw Valley State to Kearly Stadium on Saturday (Nov. 11) for Senior Day, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m.