Michigan Tech quarterback Alex Bueno (15) hands the ball to running back Jake Rueff during a game against Bemidji State Thursday, Aug. 28, at Kearly Stadium in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With a 45-9 win over South Dakota Mines last Thursday, the Michigan Tech Huskies football team has opened the season 2-0. The win over the Hardrockers was made more impressive by the fact that nearly every player who made the trip found their way into the game, and the Huskies found several different ways to score points over the course of the game.

“Guys have worked hard, and (it’s) good to see them rewarded for it,” said Huskies coach Dan Mettlach. “Obviously, whether we’re talking Week One or Week Two, seeing smiles in the locker room after a game is a whole lot better than the other way. So, (we) like where we’re at right now, but still a long way to go.

“I think the thing that stands out to me the most in the first two weeks is just the way that everybody’s playing off of each other, whether we’re talking ‘O’ (offense) and ‘D’ (defense) or the special teams being a part of it. We get stops on defense, or turnovers, turnovers on special teams, and offensively we’re able to capitalize on a lot of those things where we’re not coming up empty, being able to use the momentum to build a multiple-score lead in both games has obviously helped out.”

Mettlach likes what he sees along the sidelines from his group.

“The energy on the sideline, and the way the guys are playing and competing as one full group right now, is very good,” he said.

With wins over then-No. 16 Bemidji State and then South Dakota Mines, the Huskies have gotten off to a strong start. Mettlach believes that the Huskies will have a tough test this weekend as they travel to face the Hillsdale Chargers.

“We had some adversity in the first half of the Bemidji game, handled it well in the second half,” he said. “We didn’t really have any adversity last week. Obviously, that is going to come this week with who we’re playing. So, what happens when we get into those situations? We still don’t know that fully yet, but the way that we are feeding off of each other right now is kind of the thing that stands out the most to us as a staff.”

A big reason for excitement from Mettlach and his staff has been the play of redshirt sophomore quarterback Alex Bueno. Bueno was 17-of-26 for 151 yards and two touchdowns against the Hardrockers through the air. He also ran six times for 33 yards and a touchdown.

“I think he’s played well the first two weeks,” Mettlach said. “Obviously, Week One, made a bunch of plays when things weren’t there with his feet. Last week, (he) didn’t have to as much, but still managed everything well, and was efficient when we threw it. So that part is good.

“I think, from the coaches’ side of things, and talking with them after this last one, there was a lot more that needed to be corrected after this game than there was after the first one, regardless of the score. Nothing major, but just with what we’re asking them to do, seeing things pre-snap, and then, obviously, there’s a couple things with the post-snap reads with the RPO-type (run-pass option), things that could have taken advantage of, or handed it off, in certain situations when we didn’t need to get as greedy.”

Mettlach loves how coachable Bueno is and feels that he will continue to get better the more he plays.

Along with Bueno’s fast start has been the strong play of senior wide receiver Ethan Champney. Champney made three catches for 48 yards against the Beavers, and then followed that up with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Hardrockers.

“I think any time you have somebody coming back with as many reps that Ethan has, and many situations he’s been in, obviously, having that security blanket is good,” said Mettlach. “But, to be honest with you, over the first two weeks, I feel like he (Bueno) spread the ball out to a whole bunch of guys. I think everybody that was on the trip last week at least touched the football except for one skill kid. So, he’s got confidence in everybody out there, as he should. I feel like our skill room is pretty talented, so it doesn’t matter who’s in certain spots. Being able to spread the ball around and take advantage of what the defense is giving you is a good thing.”

The Huskies’ special teams play against the Hardrockers made a huge difference in the game as well, according to Mettlach. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of room for improvement.

“Blocked two punts, one of them for scoop and score,” he said. “We mishandled a couple punts, just because the ball was floating all over. But when Jaxon (Lippert) got his hands on it, he made some plays from that standpoint as well. Our coverage units were good. Avery (Kucharski) did a nice job kicking it through the back of the end zone. We had the wind with us, so, for the most part, our special teams were really good.

“At the same time, our field goal PAT unit, we’re making some adjustments, too. We have to make some corrections there. From a protection standpoint, the whole operation was just kind of a nightmare on Thursday, which forced us into going for two when we probably didn’t want to, or need to, but we’ll get that stuff corrected. But, to block two punts, and get six points off one of them, it’s a good day for the special teams.”

Scouting the Chargers

The Hillsdale Chargers come into Saturday’s matchup with the Huskies 1-0 on the season after defeating McKendree on Saturday, Sept. 6, 22-17, on the road.

Sophomore quarterback Colin McKernan was strong, going 17-of-32 for 255 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran 20 times for 75 yards in the game.

His favorite target was sophomore tight end Andrew Konieczny, who had seven receptions for 106 yards.

Game time

The Huskies and Chargers will battle Saturday at 1 p.m. at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium in Hillsdale.