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College Football: MTU visits Davenport

HOUGHTON — After being at home for the last two weeks, the Michigan Tech Huskies hit the road and head south to face the Davenport University Panthers.

The Huskies (3-2, 1-2 GLIAC) travel downstate with a strong momentum behind them as they defeated rival Northern Michigan 24-20 for the Miner’s Cup last week. The victory kept the Miner’s Cup here at home for the 10th straight year.

“I was happy with the win. We did some good things,” said MTU head coach Steve Olson. “I thought we were able to overcome some adversity and make some big plays. I was happy to see (quarterback) Will Ark connect so well with Ben Hartley and Jake Wenzlick throughout the game. Also, the way we ran the ball in the second half was key in that win.”

At the halfway mark in the season, Michigan Tech offensive coordinator Dan Mettlach said he’s pleased with the progress the Huskies are making.

“I am very happy with where we are at,” he said. “On Saturday, our competitiveness overcame adversity. The leadership in the entire locker room has improved from the quarterback all the way up to the front. We are doing a lot of good things.”

For their hard work last weekend MTU defensive back Travis Tidwell and kicker Evan Gornick were named GLIAC Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively. Tidwell matched a season high 10 tackles and was behind two pass breakups which were key in stopping NMU offensive drives. Gornick kicked off five times for 238 total yards with one touch back. He also was good for a 29-yard field goal and three extra points.

The Panthers (3-2, 1-2) enter Week 6 after losing a close-fought battle to the Ashland University Eagles 30-27 last week.

Olson and his players know that they will have they will have their work cut off for them once again this weekend against Davenport. Saturday’s matchup will be only the third meeting between these two teams, and it will be their first contest at Davenport.

“Davenport is a very good football team,” Olson said. “They have some very skilled and fast players both offensively and defensively. They are going to challenge us by playing a lot of man-to-man (defense). Also they like to load the box to try to stop our run game.”

A year ago, the Huskies lost to the Panthers 23-21. It was a come-from-behind victory for the the Panthers as they scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter after the Huskies were up 21-10.

Despite the loss, Davenport’s quarterback Deondre Ford had a record-setting day as he threw for 390 yards. He completed 19 of 36 passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Making those completions were wide receivers Marquian Johnson and Ulice Gillard. Both had 100-yard receiving days which set another Davenport record. Johnson had four catches, including a 92-yard touchdown reception, for 121 yards. Gillard grabbed two passes including a 99-yard touchdown pass, for 100 yards.

“If we are going to have success on Saturday we are going to find a way to run the football. Also our guys on the outside are going to have to make big plays and keep us on the field,” Mettlach said. “The challenge for us will be facing a very strong defense from front to back, but I think our guys are ready for the challenge.”

Olson added that he has liked what he has seen so far from his team on the road this season. He hopes Saturday will be no different.

“Our players traveled well in our first three games and every game this year has been a close one,” he said. “With that in mind I think our guys will feel comfortable in knowing that they can play a close game and come out on top of that.”

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