Tech Football Welcomes No. 9 Ferris State to Kearly Stadium Saturday

• 10.17.2023 Dan Mettlach Press Conference 

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Football team returns home for the first time in October, welcoming No. 9 Ferris State to Kearly Stadium on Saturday, slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

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The Series

The Huskies and Bulldogs first met in the 1947 season, playing 71 games total, with Michigan leading 34-33-4 all-time. However, Tech's last win over Ferris State came in the 2011 season in Houghton, showing the Bulldogs winners of the last 10 meetings.

About the Bulldogs

Ferris State enters the season following back-to-back national championships and holds an overall record of 4-2 and 2-1 in the GLIAC. The No. 9 ranked Bulldogs most recently suffered their first loss to a Division II opponent, falling at Grand Valley State 49-28 in the annual Anchor-Bone Classic. 

FSU succumbed to a 35-0 deficit with 12:34 remaining in the first half before rattling 28 consecutive points to pull within a score of the Lakers after three quarters.

The Bulldogs outgained GVSU 438 yards compared to 433 but were doomed with three turnovers and 129 penalty yards.

Ferris State saw quarterbacks Mylik Mitchell and Carson Gulker orchestrate the offense. 

Mitchell went 17-of-29 throwing for 195 yards and a score, while Gulker posted 10-of-16 passes for 188 yards and three scores. 

Tyrese Hunt-Thompson had eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while Deion Small had two rushes averaging 20.0 and a touchdown to lead the Bulldogs.

Major Dedmond, Justin Payoute and Lento Smith posted eight total tackles apiece, while Smith also garnered an interception.

Head Coach Tony Annese embarks on his 11th season at the helm of the Bulldogs.

About the Huskies 

Michigan Tech enters the week riding the high of a 62-0 victory at Northern Michigan on Saturday (Oct. 14) to mark the 13th-consecutive Miner's Cup win and the 50th win over the Wildcats in program history.

The win brought the Huskies back into the win column, showing a record of 4-2 and 1-2 in GLIAC play.

The Huskies saw career days from quarterback Alex Fries and wide receiver Darius Willis en route to the highest-scoring victory in the all-time series, along with marking the first shutout since the 2010 season.

Michigan Tech was just shy of 500 yards of total offense, concluding with 493 yards compared to Northern Michigan's 85 yards.

Fries went 15-of-21 for 240 yards through the air and two throwing touchdown passes. The Saginaw, Michigan, native was also effective with his feet, rushing 11 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. 

His 74 yards rushing and two touchdowns were career-highs. 

Willis was Fries' main target in the win, showing Willis rack up 10 receptions for 202 yards and two touchdown receptions, marking the first time in his career with over 200 yards in a game.

Running back William Marano also got in on the scoring with 77 yards rushing on 15 carries for two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Black & Gold had tackles for loss from Jeffrey Price and Austin Schlicht, along with two takeaways. Price posted three total tackles and recorded an interception on the last Wildcat offensive possession of the game. Matt Ojala had a blocked punt in the first quarter to give the Huskies a short field. 

Hunter Buechel accounted for a scoop and score in the third quarter with compliments from Samuel Kinne forcing the fumble. Buechel's fumble recovery was returned for a 22-yard touchdown and marks the third defensive score this season.

The Huskies rank sixth nationally and first in the GLIAC with three defensive touchdowns.

Buechel and Marc Sippel remain among the best defensively, with Buechel fifth nationally with 6.0 solo tackles per game, while Sippel is averaging 9.8 total tackles per game for ninth-best in the nation.

One Last Thing

Following a career day against Northern Michigan, Darius Willis is closing in on 2,000 yards receiving, at 1,921 yards and 140 receptions. The Warren, Michigan, native is 15 receptions shy of the program record, which is currently held by Brian Janeshek ('02-'05) with 154 receptions. 

MIKIDSCAN
• Michigan Tech Athletics and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan have teamed up to promote the #MIKidsCan Campaign. A Copper Country youth has earned an opportunity to be a part of the pregame coin toss ceremony at Saturday's game.
• MI Kids Can is a part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's ongoing efforts to help Michigan families make good choices leading to healthier lives. With a focus on improving children's health, over the last 10 years, BCBSM has given more than $6 million in support of kids' health and wellness initiatives across the state, reaching more than 100,000 children.