PREVIEW: Huskies host top-ranked Bulldogs Saturday

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HOUGHTON, Mich. - It has been just over 10 years since Michigan Tech football last beat a No. 1 ranked team (October 30, 2010, Grand Valley State, 20-17) but they will have a chance to conjure the magic again Saturday, October 23 at 1 p.m. against top-ranked Ferris State at Kearly Stadium. The Huskies are hot off a comeback 21-14 Miner's Cup victory over Northern Michigan at Superior Dome and have won each of their last three outings in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs made a statement against their rival and fellow Top-10 team Grand Valley State 35-28 Saturday in front of 17,007 fans at Lubbers Stadium. Tech will attempt to beat Ferris State for the first time since 2011 and break FSU's six-game win streak. The winner of Saturday's matinee will sit alone atop the GLIAC Standings with an undefeated 4-0 conference record.

LAST TIME OUT

For the 11th straight season, Michigan Tech defeated rival Northern Michigan for the Miner's Cup 21-14 at Superior Dome in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game. Tied 14-14 late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Will Ark delivered an eight-yard strike to a wide-open Jordan Janssen on a slant down the right sideline, giving the Huskies the lead with just 18 seconds to play and the victory. 

John Paramski also made a crucial fourth quarter interception to help turn momentum. The score was tied 7-7 at halftime and the Huskies trailed 14-7 at the end of the third quarter.

SERIES VS FERRIS STATE

The Huskies have dealt with a nationally ranked Ferris State squad eight times over the last 20 years, but lead the Bulldogs 34-31-4 all-time. 

In their last meeting, Ferris State dominated Tech 52-0 at Kearly Stadium on November 2, 2019. Will Marano ran back the kickoff for 40 yards but Ferris State cruised the rest of the way on a very snowy day in Houghton. Ferris State has won each of the previous eight meetings with Michigan Tech.

LEADING THE COUNTRY

- Michigan Tech ranks No. 1 in NCAA Division II for fewest penalty yards per game. The Huskies have taken just 19 penalties in six games for 27.67 yards per game. They edged out Harding (33.71) and Franklin Pierce (34.00) in the category this week.

- Tech ranks No. 2 in NCAA Division II for team sacks per game (4.71). The Huskies have 28.0 sacks for 157 opponent yards lost. Freshman Austin Schlicht is tied for the conference lead in sacks 5.5, followed closely by Nate LaJoie (4th - 4.5 sacks), and Josh Cribben (5th - 4.0 sacks). 

AIR ATTACK

- Wide receiver Jordan Janssen continues to be Ark's top target and deep threat with four touchdown catches and 32 receptions. Janssen ranks fourth in the GLIAC in receiving yards per game (61.7). He trails Ferris State's Marcus Taylor, who leads the league at 81.8 yards per game, 35 receptions, and three touchdowns. Ark spread the ball out Saturday at Northern Michigan. Darius Willis (16 rec. - 37.3 ypg), Hunter Richards (16 rec. - 34.3 ypg), and Justin Davis (12 rec. - 21.2 ypg) continue to be viable options.

RUSHING REPORT

- Michigan Tech has struggled at times establishing the ground game, especially in first halves. Will Marano is the team's leading rusher with 298 total yards through six games with a pair of touchdowns. Marano averages 3.8 yards per carry. Jared Smith has 55 rush attempts for 24.8 yards per game (2.7 ypc). Emmett Boehler has shown flashes of strong play and has 33 total yards rushing.

ON DEFENSE

- Veteran linebacker Marvin Wright leads the team in tackles for another week at 44.0 total tackles, 11 solo. He is followed by John Paramski (42.0/11 solo) and Braxton Blackwell (41.0/19 solo). Wright also has 4.5 tackles for loss.

- Michael Bates Jr. has a team-high three interceptions for 65 yards along with three passes broken up. Josh Cribben, John Paramski, Kevin Lee, Sam Holt, Sam Ahern, and Michael Munderloh also have single interceptions for a team total of nine.

- The Huskies allowed 554 yards of offense against Wayne State but held Northern Michigan to 292 yards the following week.

SPECIAL TEAMS STILL RELIABLE

- Freshman Drew Wyble is 5-7 on field goals and 15-16 on extra points. Wyble missed his only field goal attempt in the second quarter of Saturday's game but made all three extra points. He kicked the winning field goal in the final seconds at Wayne State and connected on a season long 35 yarder earlier in the contest.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

- The Huskies have two GLIAC Championships (2004, 2012) and two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, 2014) in their 98-year history. Michigan Tech went 2-0 under head coach E.R. Lovell in their first season in 1920. The last time the Huskies finished first in the conference standings was 2004 under head coach Bernie Anderson. The entire 2020 fall season was canceled due to the ongoing pandemic (Covid-19). 

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 games 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.