on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Houghton, Mich. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech ended a two-game losing streak with a 31-7 homecoming win in the GLIAC opener against Davenport University on Saturday.

Tech prepared for the week without head coach Steve Olson, who was put on COVID-19 protocol after a sneeze and cough developed. After some negative tests, he rejoined the team in time for Saturday’s game.

“I didn’t have (COVID), I ran through some tests, but I was limited,” Olson said. “I couldn’t be in contact with the team or be around practice. Our coaching staff, they really do a tremendous job getting this team ready to play and I thought our kids came out and really showed up well.”

The Huskies (2-2, 1-0 GLIAC) got off to a fast start in building momentum early. Tech’s defense held Davenport to just 10 yards in the first quarter, while the offense put up a pair of touchdowns.

Huskies sophomore running back Will Marano rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown in the win.

“I’m very proud of the team the way they came out and the way they played and their effort,” Olson said.

The Huskies, however, lost senior All-American defensive lineman Nate LaJoie to a leg injury in the second quarter. He spent the rest of the game on the Huskies sidelines on crutches with ice taped around his knee. Olson said postgame he didn’t know what the injury was or when LaJoie could rejoin the team.

LaJoie had a sack Saturday and has four total for the season. He had two tackles Saturday.

The Huskies’ defense pestered Davenport all day, racking up eight sacks for a total loss of 55 yards. Austin Schlict had 2.5 sacks.

The Panthers (1-4, 0-1) turned the ball over five times. Michael Bates and Kyle Holt each had an interception. Brandon Michalak, John Paramski and Fred Kemp all had a fumble recovery.

Tech’s 130 total rushing yards helped dispell worries about the offensive line after a rash of injuries kept the front five in flux.

“I think honestly our team was sick of losing,” Marano said. “Biggest thing was our practices were great. I think everything starts in practice, so just keep building and then peak at the end of the week. When there’s holes, that makes our running backs’ jobs pretty easy.”

The offensive line also gave junior quarterback Will Ark enough time in the pocket to throw for a pair of TDs.

Ark completed 8 of 20 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 9 yards on four carries, including a 1-yard TD.

Freshman wide receiver Darius Willis and senior receiver Hunter Richards caught the TD passes.

In fact, the Panthers had more penalty yards (15) than total offense in the first quarter. The Panthers played sloppy most of the day, racking up 11 penalties for 100 yards. But their offense gradually got more productive as the day went on, and outgained the Huskies 345 to 243 on the day.

The Panthers’ only score was an 8-yard pass from Deondre Ford to Amonte Phillips with 6:24 left in the second quarter.

The Huskies take their first road trip of the season after starting the season with four straight home games. Tech visits Wayne State at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Davenport hosts Northern Michigan for its homecoming on Saturday.

DU 0 7 0 0 — 7

MTU 14 14 0 3 — 31

First Quarter

MTU — Willis 48 pass from Ark (Wyble kick), 10:47.

MTU — Marano 15 run (Wyble kick), 5:01.

Second Quarter

MTU — Ark 1 run (Wyble kick), 11:12.

DU — Phillips 8 pass from Ford (Plegue kick), 6:24.

MTU — Richards 33 pass from Ark (Wyble kick), 2:58.

Fourth Quarter

MTU — Wyble 19 kick, 10:32.

Individual Statistics

RUSHING–DU, Richards 13-94, Harden 6-27, Acda 5-18, Sloan 1-7, Ford 11-(minus 33). MTU, Marano 21-90, Willis 2-17, Smith 7-13, Ark 4-9, Boehler 1-1, Fortress 1-0.

PASSING–DU, Ford 17-30-2-232. MTU, Ark 8-20-0-113.

RECEIVING–DU, Phillips 8-119, Goulbourne 3-44, Blankenburg 2-35, Sloan 3-31, Lingstone 1-3. MTU, Willis 3-57, Richards 2-37, Marano 1-12, Davis 2-7.

MISSED FIELD GOAL–DU, Plegue 38 (blocked).