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Inclement weather hindering Tech’s spring QB competition

Michigan Tech’s Garrett Young delivers a pass against Ferris State on Nov. 11, 2017 at Sherman Field. Young is one of four quarterbacks competing for the 2018 starting job. (David Archambeau/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — If the Michigan Tech Huskies are to have their first winning season in three years, their quarterbacks will have to be better. Last season Tech ranked 150th out of 168 Division II teams in yards passing per game (136.4), as the team struggled to a 4-7 record. 

But who will guide Tech’s offense is still a question without an answer. The spring season was meant to serve as a barometer of the QB competition, but with inclement weather hindering Tech’s practices, Garrett Young, Will Ark, Keaton Thames and Kyle Wood have not been able to distinguish themselves for the starting role.

“We haven’t had a clear-cut guy come out of the spring, and that’s mostly due to inconsistencies in weather,” Tech coach Steve Olson said. “We’ve not been able to get into a consistent routine of practice with three, four-day breaks.

“Our quarterbacks are working hard and getting better, but we’re not ready to say where we’re at right now. We’re having a battle and the kids are working hard, and we’re moving through it.”

The final phase of the evaluation period will come at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Sherman Field for Tech’s annual spring game. The incumbent people are most familiar with is Young, who started the final three games last season as a freshman and completed 33 of 75 passes for 415 yards, two TDs and two INTs. Young is the only QB on Tech’s roster with any game experience.

Thames will be a junior this fall, making him the oldest member of a quarterbacking corps that includes three sophomores.

So what will Olson and his staff be looking for in Tech’s final scrimmage?

“Making good decisions, being able to read coverages and being able to make decisions on any plays that are two-play type calls,” he said. “That’s the big thing. Just making good decisions and reading coverages.”

The rest of Tech’s backfield is set for the Aug. 30 opener at Truman State. James Henderson returns as a sixth-year player at running back and will assume the lead back role, but with him using his eligibility in the fall, he’s forced to sit out this spring season. That’s allowed Andrew Rose, Jared Smith and Tyrik Wicks to take more reps. 

Rose was one of the top performers in last year’s spring game, finishing with 77 yards on 17 carries, including a 32-yard touchdown where he cut back and broke numerous tackles for the score. 

“He’s an extremely hard worker,” Olson said. “He’s going to run the ball downhill, has some shift to him, and he’s had a decent spring. He’s a bigger back so he should give us some positive yards on those downhill runs.

“Jared Smith has worked hard on his ability to make one cut and get downhill and run hard. 

“Tyrik Wicks gives us a little bit more shake and is a little bit more dynamic from that standpoint.”

Jordan Ferguson will return for his junior season to assume the starting fullback position after splitting time with Alex Sherbinow, who graduated. 

Tech has the luxury of returning its top receiver last year in Jacob Wenzlick (41 receptions, 444 yards, two TDs). The Huskies also feature two of its other top pass catchers from last season with Kevin Kirkland (18-346-2) and Ben Hartley (14-132-3). 

“Wenzlick has had a great spring and is a leader in that receiving corps,” Olson said. “There’s three very good receivers there that have a lot of game experience for us.”

Across the line, Tech brings everyone back, right tackle Logan Brunette, right guard Aaron Curtiss, center Cal McCarty, left guard Seth Malcom and left tackle Jeremy Bell. 

The unit had success early on in the run game, paving the way for 236 yards on 39 attempts (6.1) in a win over Truman State, and averaging 8.3 yards per carry (25-207) in a victory against Saginaw Valley State. But the Huskies were unable to overcome the loaded boxes they would face later in the season, resulting in a 3.8 yard average per rush for the season.

“Curtiss has not been practicing this spring; he’s on a rehab so the backups are getting good opportunities to learn and grow,” Olson said. “Malcom is very, very good. Very capable of being an all-conference type of player, and of course, Jeremy Bell was.

“We’re trying to develop the depth at the tackle positions. That’s the big thing.”

Doug Fabry returns as the team’s leading tight end. Ozzy Corp was moved to tight end to provide more depth. 

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