Story, photo courtesy of Michigan Tech Athletics
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The No. 15-ranked Michigan Tech football team defeated Saginaw Valley State 27-20 on Saturday in the final road game of the regular season. The Huskies scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:51 left and had a defensive stand to seal the win
Tech never trailed in the game and improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the GLIAC as the defense allowed its fewest points of the season.
"I'm very proud of our guys. We played right to the very end and stayed in it mentally even when things weren't necessarily going our way," Tech coach Dan Mettlach said. "Their defensive line gave us trouble all game, but we found a way to get it done on the road. Our special teams unit played a huge role in the win with some blocked punts and the field goals early in the game."
The game-winning drive started with 4:01 to go in the fourth quarter. Abram Larner went 58 yards on an end around on the second play of the drive to set the Huskies up deep in SVSU territory. A pass interference got the Black and Gold even closer, and Jake Rueff got into the end zone from two yards out with 1:53 on the clock.
SVSU had a 24-yard return on the kickoff. The Cardinals got down to the Tech 28-yard line before the drive stalled out on fourth and 13, and they turned it over on downs. The Huskies kneeled to seal the win—their third victory on the road this season.
Avery Kucharski scored the first six points of the game with field goals from 34 yards in the first quarter and 26 yards in the second quarter.
SVSU tied it up with a 21-yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half and then a 31-yard kick at 9:54 of the third.
The Huskies scored their first touchdown of the game with 6:02 left in the third on a fourth and one. The first four attempts from fourth and goal at the one didn't go anywhere, but an offside penalty inched the ball closer. Alex Bueno jumped over the pile and stretched the ball over the line for the score and a 13-6 lead after the extra point.
The home team quickly tied it up, going 70 yards in four plays. Obie Sanni scored on a 34-yard run.
Tech went three-and-out, and SVSU got the ball back. The Cardinals also went three-and-out and punted. Dakota Blackwell blocked it, and Jadon Bender scooped and scored on an 11-yard return, and the Huskies led 20-13 after another Avery Kucharski PAT with five seconds left in the third.
SVSU tied the game at 20 with 4:01 left after going 69 yards in 10 plays. Connor Wolf tossed to Jamison Pelt on a 13-yard pitch-and-catch.
The Cardinals had an advantage in total yards (366-251) and time of possession (32:23-25:40). The Huskies had four sacks and didn't give one up.
Alex Bueno was 10 for 18 for 91 yards. Elliott Larner was 2 for 3 for 34 yards passing and rushed 12 times for 39 yards. Abram Larner rushed 60 yards on only two carries and caught three passes for 62 yards.
Terrence Martin led the defense with 10 total tackles, including seven solos. Dakota Blackwell blocked two punts and had eight tackles along with Jamison Stamps.
Connor Wolf threw 24 for 37 for 278 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals. Obie Sanni had a game-high 76 yards rushing with a touchdown. JT Webber had 87 yards receiving on five catches.
Tech returns to Kearly Stadium for the final two games of the season, beginning next week against No. 9 Davenport. Kickoff on Saturday is set for noon.
