PREVIEW: Homestand continues against No. 9 Lakers

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HOUGHTON, Mich. - After a week off to prepare, the Huskies take on No. 9 ranked Grand Valley State Saturday, September 25 at 1 p.m. EST following a 12-9 home loss to St. Thomas on September 11. The Huskies led 9-3 at halftime, but Louis Hyde's 32-yard field goal with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter helped St. Thomas seal the game. 

STRONG DEFENSE

The Huskies have surrendered a combined 22 points over their first two games. Senior linebacker Marvin Wright returned after more than two years off and picked up right where he left off. Wright had three consecutive 90-plus tackle seasons for the Huskies and led the team in tackles in 2018-19. Wright blocked a punt in the first quarter against St. Thomas, leading directly to Fred Kemp's scoop and score of 38-yards. Wright also had a part in 10 tackles.

The Huskies held St. Thomas to 269 yards of total offense. St. Thomas quarterback Tommy Doland finished 12-for-23 and 184 passing yards. Tech players also posted five sacks.

Senior All-American nose guard Nate LaJoie is off to a typical start with 8.0 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and two tackles for loss so far.

THIRD DOWN STRUGGLES

The Husky offense converted just 2 of 11 third downs last Saturday and the offense largely sputtered. Junior quarterback Will Ark completed 19 of 29 passes for 144 yards and an interception with time winding down in the fourth quarter.

RUSHING DUO

Jared Smith established the run game against Hillsdale which opened up passing options in the second half, enabling the Huskies to win in their season opener. Against St. Thomas, William Marano averaged 4.6 yards per carry to total 51 yards total. Smith rushed 13 times and was held to 28 yards (2.2 ypc).

SCOUTING THE LAKERS

Grand Valley State prevailed 45-24 over University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse Saturday to move to 2-0. 

Sophomore Quarterback Cade Peterson (Maple City, Mich/Glen Lake) was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 12-of-17 passes for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also ran for 89 yards on four carries, including a 69-yard run on GVSU's first play from scrimmage. He completed passes to eight different receivers, including to his younger brother, Drew Peterson. 

The Lakers tallied 534 total yards of offense with 320 on the ground. GVSU's season opener against Edinboro was canceled. On September 11, the Lakers downed Colorado State-Pueblo 34-14 in Allendale. GVSU finished 8-3 (5-3 GLIAC) in 2019 to take fourth place.

Grand Valley State returned 38 letterwinners and 16 starters, marking the 50th season of Laker football. 

OPPOSING HEAD COACH

Matt Mitchell is in his 12th season as head coach of the Grand Valley State University football program. Mitchell is 95-28 with five NCAA DII Playoff Appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances, two GLIAC Championships and three GLIAC North Division titles. In addition, Mitchell is 8-5 in NCAA DII Playoff action as a head coach. In 17 years as part of the Laker football program (11 as head coach and six as an assistant) Mitchell has coached in two NCAA DII Championship games, five NCAA semifinal contests and nine NCAA quarterfinal games.

SPECIAL TEAMS OVERVIEW 

The Huskies turned to freshman kicker and punter Drew Wyble (Marquette, Michigan) on special teams this season. Wyble was an all-conference and U.P. Dream Team kicker and punter at Marquette Senior High School before joining MTU in 2020. In game one, Wyble missed a 32-yard field goal attempt in breezy conditions but converted both extra points. Wyble made his first field goal as a Husky against St. Thomas from 25 yards but missed an extra point. He and Ark have split punting duties. 

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Huskies have two GLIAC Championships (2004, 2012) and two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, 2014) in their 98-year history. Michigan Tech has also won the Miner's Cup 10 seasons in a row, awarded in the Michigan Tech/Northern Michigan rivalry. The Wildcats came tantalizingly close to getting their moment in the sun at Kearly Stadium in 2019, but the Huskies snatched the 24-20 win.

ON THE RADIO

- Mix 93.5 FM WKMJ will broadcast all 10 football games again this season. Josh Ylitalo will call all the action from the Kearly Stadium press box and travel with the squad.

WATCH THE GAMES

- Visit MichiganTechHuskies.com to watch the 2021 home matches live and on-demand via Stretch Internet Portal.

-Fan can watch all six 2021 fall home football games for $75.

PRESEASON GLIAC POLL

-Michigan Tech was picked to finish 5th (24 points) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pre-season Coaches' Poll, announced by the conference office. 

-Ferris State and Grand Valley State are at the top of the rankings at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. The Bulldogs edged the Lakers for the top spot by six points with 49. Ferris State also gathered seven first-place votes while Grand Valley State had one. Wayne State checked in at No. 3 with 36 points with Saginaw Valley State at No. 4 with 25 points.