Michigan Tech defensive lineman Austin Schlicht celebrates after making a sack during a game against South Dakota Mines on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Kearly Stadium in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Coming off a week that saw the Michigan Tech Huskies football team earn a victory over the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers in overtime, 52-50, they carry momentum into this Saturday’s matchup with the Hillsdale Chargers.

The Huskies were led in their win by senior quarterback Alex Fries, who set a new school record for passing yards in a game, and earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Coach Dan Mettlach felt the win was an important step for the Huskies.

“Obviously, any time you can get a win, regardless of how it is, (you) feel great for the guys in the locker room, our staff, for it to go the way it did,” he said. “None of us planned on it going that way, but (we) stayed with it, kept battling. That was great to see from the guys a couple days after the fact.”

Part of why things worked out in the Huskies’ favor was that they did a better job of staying focused during play, which led to less costly penalties.

“We got a chance to watch the film as a staff, and with the guys, and (there were still) way too many mental mistakes, that type of thing,” Mettlach said. “The penalties were better. We only had three, but we put ourselves into some bad, bad situations with not being where we’re supposed to with either fits or communication issues up front.”

Despite those mistakes, and the turnover by Fries to start the second half, the Huskies still found a way to close a three-touchdown gap before the clock ran out in the fourth quarter.

“I love the fact that we battled and got to win, obviously,” said Mettlach. “But, if we’re going to continue to get better, those kind of things cannot keep showing up on Saturdays. We had good staff meetings, got some things corrected from that standpoint, and obviously our adjustments need to come sooner, as in before the games, with what our guys can do well and not do well.”

Mettlach continued to point out that he and his staff can still be quicker to understand how to put the team in positions to succeed each week.

“We have to do a better job putting our guys in positions that they can execute what we’re looking for, rather than just having too much stuff that may look good against a certain scheme,” he said. “So, as a full operation program-wide, we’ve got to do better.”

One of the areas where the Huskies improved against the Hardrockers was in the passing game, beyond the total passing yards. Junior receiver Ethan Champney turned a short pass in the third quarter into a 59-yard touchdown run, something the Huskies could not execute against Bemidji State in their season opener.

“When you can stretch the field, it helps everything out, not only for explosive plays, but had the game been in a different situation, we got behind them several times,” Mettlach said. “It should lead to a lighter box, as well, for the run game.

“We didn’t attempt many runs in the second half, but the runs we did attempt, we’re going for 10 or so yards a pop, because they’re playing or trying to play back. Whether it be Champney or DWill (Darius Willis), Michy (Brandon Michalak), we’ve got some guys who can stretch the field.”

A major difference was the play of the offensive line.

“Even though we didn’t run the ball for the second week in a row, I thought our O Line did a much better job in pass protection,” said Mettlach. “I thought our guys up front for most of the game, they knew what we were trying to do, obviously, having to come back from that big hole. So for the guys to hold up like they did, they did their part as well, which allows Champney and the boys to get behind them. As a whole with the passing game, I thought that part was good.”

Along with Champney’s big play, Michalak found several big moments to come up with a key catch when the Huskies needed it. Mettlach wanted to get him more involved in the offense, and Thursday, he was in a big way.

“He’s been playing really well,” Mettlach said. “He’s been aggressive this year, which has been good to see. Even on some balls where you’re going over the middle of the field, he’s way up in the air to make plays in traffic. So, his speed is something that we have to be able to utilize.”

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS

When asked about the Chargers and what they do well, Mettlach did not mince words.

“Everything,” he said. “They’re very sound offensively, defensively, special teams, very well coached. Their guys are very comparable to ours in the way that they continue to play, play after play. It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says.

“We’re going to have our hands full. They’re big up front on defense, play hard offensively. Their O Line has been together for, most of them, three years now. So, they’re going to try to run the football, and why won’t they? First two weeks, some teams have had some success on the ground against us, and then they’ve got two skilled kids on the outside that can go.”

The Chargers have a new coach this year in Nate Shreffler, who, like Mettlach, was on the Chargers’ staff before becoming the head coach. They are 0-1 so far, having lost to No. 16 Indianapolis, 42-16, at home last weekend.

Sophomore quarterback Cole Canter leads the offense. He went 14-of-32 against Indianapolis, with one touchdown and three interceptions. Junior running back Kyle Riffel had 13 carries in Week One, for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Canter has a pair of sophomore receivers that he is building trust with in Shea Ruddy and Jonathan Metzger. Ruddy had four catches for 126 and a touchdown against Indianapolis. Metzger had two catches for 64 yards.

GAME TIME

The Huskies and Chargers will meet Saturday with the opening kickoff set for 12 p.m. at Kearly Stadium in Houghton.