Huskies look to rebound with win vs. Davenport
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Michigan Tech stumbled out of the gate a bit and looks to regain its footing in this weekend's GLIAC opener against Davenport University.
The Huskies (1-2) host the Panthers in a 1 p.m. kickoff for homecoming at Kearly Stadium.
The Panthers (1-3) were shut out last week by No. 3 Ferris State, 38-0.
It's the final game of a month-long homestand to start the season, and Tech looks to give its home fans a better showing after losing 44-21 to No. 8 Grand Valley State last week.
Those in the program know the Huskies have work to do, and say the players have been giving it their full effort in practice. After all, a majority of the Huskies starters lack game experience -- and hadn't played a snap since 2019.
While coaches constantly look for things to improve with their teams, the one thing that can't be coached is players' effort and committment, both of which Tech coaching staff has said this year's team brings in spades.
The problems the Huskies coaches have seen so far with the play on the field are coachable: execution, discipline, focus and schematics.
"Everybody on the offense in the locker room knows that we need to and want to score more points, but it's the execution has to get better and we cannot afford the self-inflicted wounds, whether that being drops, missed assignments up front, bad eyes by the Q (quarterback Will Ark)," Huskies offensive coordinator Dan Mettlach said. "Whatever it is, we have to be able to stay on track."
The Huskies could also just as easily be going into the weekend with a winning record, had they not faltered late in a see-saw battle, a 12-9 loss against the University of St. Thomas.
Ark's time to shine
Junior quarterback Will Ark has battled adversity so far this season.
Protected by an offensive line riddled with injuries, Ark threw a game-ending interception against St. Thomas three weeks ago, and fumbled twice last week against GVSU. But he's completed 59% of his passes (51 of 87) for 518 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Mettlach's play-calling introduced more opportunities to spread the ball to different receivers against the Lakers after top Huskies receiver Jordan Janssen caught nine passes for 79 yards against St. Thomas.
Janssen had just six catches for 42 receiving yards against GVSU, a stark contrast with the seven catches for 115 yards in the season opener against Hillsdale.
Other receivers have taken the spotlight as opposing defenses keyed on Janssen and Tech's gameplan introduced more receivers. Junior receiver Justin Davis caught five passes for 75 yards against GVSU, including a 38-yard reception.
Mettlach, who starred as Tech's QB in 2001-04, said spreading the ball around is part of the progression for younger receivers, and for Ark.
"Every Q has their security blanket, you know, especially if they're bringing pressure or pressing a little bit," Mettlach said. "You're always looking for that one guy. But with what we do with the gameplan, getting guys in different positions and the Q having an understanding of what we're looking for, and where we wanted the ball to go.
"Lots of guys touched the football on (Sept. 25). So it'll have to be that way. From here on out, people are going to roll their coverage to (No.) 10 (Janssen). Other guys are going to have to get involved and we have talent everywhere."
Rushing game woes
A glaring symptom of the Huskies' offensive line injuries is the team's struggles to get the running game going.
The Huskies average 81 rushing yards per game, and just 2.5 yards per carry. Tech has one rushing touchdown through three games.
Defense holds strong
The Huskies defense, with the pick-six, has as many touchdowns as the running game. Tech's defense has been a strong suit this season, keeping the Huskies alive as the offense has been up and down.
The Huskies have racked up 15 sacks and 24 tackles for a total loss of 89 yards.
Nate LaJoie and Josh Cribben lead the defense with three sacks apiece, while John Paramski and Austin Schlict each have two. Cribben leads the team with 11 solo tackles.
"We've got some good players that can make impactful plays," Huskies defensive coordinator Bryan Thomas said. "We've been able to get after the quarterback."
Michael Bates has two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
Still, there are things to sharpen, Thomas said.
"We missed a couple things: guys getting out of a couple of gaps, whether as a D-lineman or a linebacker or a secondary fit with that, and they got the guys that can exploit it and everything," Thomas said. "We've got to make sure we're sound defensively upfront inside the box to make them throw the ball on us."
Red zone
As some Huskies players return from injury and the Huskies offense takes hold, Tech will look to threaten in the red zone. The Huskies are 3 for 4 on red zone trips this year, scoring a pair of touchdowns and a field goal.
Turnover battle
The Huskies' defense has collected six interceptions so far, including one returned for a 63-yard touchdown.
Tech's offense has lost three of four fumbles and thrown an interception, for a plus-2 turnover margin.
Third-down struggles
The Huskies have converted just 11 of 39 (28%) third-down opportunities this year. Tech was 5 of 15 (33%) last week. They are 4 of 6 (67%) on fourth down.