PREVIEW: Huskies Homecoming on horizon

HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech meets Wayne State University for Homecoming 2022, as the Huskies celebrate their 100th season of football on Saturday, October 8 at 1 p.m. Last season in Detroit, the Huskies slipped by the Warriors on a game-winning field goal 30-27. Now both teams seek to right the ship after opening GLIAC play with a loss last week. 

• Festivities for the 100th season celebration commence Thursday with a welcome reception and include a golf outing, tour of Kearly Stadium, golf scramble, dinner with the football team, and customary pregame tailgate party at the Ajax Paving Industries Champions Pavilion for registered alumni.
• Radio pregame on Mix 93.5 FM and pasty.net begins at noon with Josh Ylitalo and various special alumni guests. The game will be streamed on flosports. 

LAST TIME OUT

• The Huskies met a hot quarterback last week at Davenport as Jason Whittaker passed for five touchdowns and ran for a sixth, en route to a 52-38 comeback win for the Panthers at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
• Will Ark had a pair of touchdown runs and a pair of touchdown passes. Darius Willis caught one in the first quarter on a 26-yard grab and Brandon Michalak scored on a 69-yard catch in the third.
• Alec Moriarty also found the endzone, and Drew Wyble nailed a 31-yard field goal.
• Michael Bates Jr. led the defense with nine tackles.

THROUGH THE AIR

• Darius Willis has been Ark's top passing target this season.
• The sophomore ranks fourth in the GLIAC with 62.0 receiving yards per game and has four touchdown receptions for the Huskies, including one that went for 59 yards.
• Fellow sophomore Brandon Michalak found the endzone for the third time at Davenport and is currently 13th in the conference averaging 40.8 yards per game.

RUSHING REPORT

• Will Marano rushed 14 times for 48 yards (3.4 avg) last time out with a long run of nine.
• With Emmett Boehler out of the lineup, Alec Moriarty increased his workload to 13 carries for 33 yards. He also found the endzone during the Huskies' extended goal line stand in the second quarter, his first career score in a Tech uniform.
• Ark ran it in twice Saturday and attempted nine runs for 13 yards, including an 11-yard scamper from behind center.

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS  

• The Wayne State University football team (1-4 overall, 0-1 GLIAC) led 21-17 at halftime of its annual Homecoming contest, but the visiting Wildcats of Northern Michigan University (3-2 overall, 1-0 GLIAC) outscored the Warriors 20-9 over the final 30 minutes to post a 37-30 win at Tom Adams Field.
• Northern Michigan held a 443-437 edge in total offense, along with a 30:08 to 29:52 advantage in time of possession.  Wayne State passed for 299 yards compared to 297 for NMU. 
• The biggest difference was two turnovers by the Warriors to zero for the Wildcats.
• Wayne State hired three new assistant coaches and returned only nine starters (five on defense, four on offense). Fifty-six players are either true freshmen (33) or redshirt freshmen (23). Head coach Paul Winters is in his 19th season at the helm. 
• In 2021, WSU had three different quarterback start games. Josh Kulka returned after passing for 505 yards and three touchdowns over six quarters of action last year.
• Kulka currently ranks third in the GLIAC with 174.6 passing yards per game. He also ranks second in completions (65) and fifth in completion percentage (53.7%) among quarterbacks.
• Kulka has thrown one touchdown pass with five interceptions through five games.
• Kendall Williams ranks fifth in the GLIAC with 54.8 rushing yards per game with two touchdowns and 274 total yards. Williams ranked third on the Warriors in rushing last season (295 yards).
• Field position may become an important factor Saturday as Wayne State kicker Griffin Milovanski has the longest field goal made in the GLIAC this season (48 yards). The redshirt sophomore is 10-for-10 on extra points and 6-for-8 on 3-point tries.
• The Warriors returning receivers accounted for just seven receptions in the 2021 campaign. Wayne State attacked the run game 39 times against Northern Michigan (139 net yards) and completed 17 passes on 34 attempts (299 yards). AJ Nichols was the team's leading receiver with four receptions for 85 yards and no touchdowns.

TEAM COMPARISON

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 needs. University Images is open extended hours during sporting and other special events.
• University Images Hours