Fries, Kucharski named GLIAC Players of the Week
HOUGHTON — For the first time this season, two Michigan Tech Huskies football standouts earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors following the Huskies’ seventh win of the season in the 32-28 comeback victory at Saginaw Valley State on Saturday.
Senior quarterback Alex Fries earned his second GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honor and freshman kicker Avery Kucharski was named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week — the first honor of his young career for the Black and Gold.
Fries, a native of Swan Valley, Michigan, recorded a career-high three rushing touchdowns on 15 carries (69 yards) while also tossing for 203 yards (17-for-32) to help the Huskies complete a fourth-quarter comeback that showcased 22-straight points for the Black & Gold in his homecoming game.
Kucharski, hailing from Portage, Michigan, connected on two field goals, including a career-long from 45 yards while going two-for-two on extra points. The first-year punter also produced two monumental onside kicks, helping the Huskies steal two possessions in the fourth quarter, holding SVSU’s offense to just 45 seconds on the field in the final period.
The victory marked the first seven-win season in the Dan Mettlach era and the first since 2017. The Huskies finished the 2024 campaign with an overall ledger of 7-4 and 4-3 in GLIAC to finish in a three-way tie for third place in the league standings.