ALLENDALE, Mich. — The Michigan Tech Huskies football team outscored No. 23 nationally-ranked Grand Valley State 8-3 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough as they were unable to get over the hump, dropping an 18-15 decision in front of a crowd of 11,394 at Lubbers Stadium on the Lakers’ Homecoming.

“I’m proud of the way our guys played,” said Huskies coach Dan Mettlach. “We battled hard right until the very end. We just needed to make some plays or sustain some drives.

“If you’re going to knock off a team like this at their place, you’ve got to be able to make some big plays at times. We needed to make one or two more plays, but we couldn’t do it. I thought the defense played really well and I’m proud of the effort.”

Michigan Tech (7-3, 4-2 GLIAC) held the potent offense of Grand Valley State (6-3, 4-2 GLIAC) to just two-for-12 on third down conversions, although the second conversion of the day for the Lakers came in the final minutes, allowing the home team to kneel the game away.

Points would come at a premium for both teams, who scored well under their season average, with Grand Valley State getting on the scoreboard first on their opening drive of the day, taking 5:05 off the clock going 78 yards in eight plays, capped by a touchdown pass from Andrew Schuster to Griffin Shinrock for an eight-yard strike, followed by a missed extra point.

The Lakers’ defense earned a safety moments into the second quarter to go up 8-0 before the Huskies got to the endzone with redshirt sophomore quarterback Alex Bueno having three throws for more than 15 yards highlighted by a 22-yard snag by redshirt sophomore wide receiver Bryce Kurncz, setting up an 8-yard rushing score for junior running back Jake Rueff, who had 13 carries for 38 yards against the stout Lakers defense. The extra point by sophomore kicker Avery Kucharski made it 8-7 with 3:23 to play in the opening half.

The Huskies’ defense produced two three-and-outs in the quarter, with senior defensive lineman Connor Hindenach adding a seven-yard sack on the Lakers’ first drive of the period. However, Schuster would earn his second passing score of the day with 2:23 to go in the half, finding Kellen Reed from 23 yards out to make it 15-7 heading into halftime. Sophomore defensive back Jackson Zachary posted an interception as time expired in the second quarter to halt a potential Lakers score.

The defensive battle persisted in the second half as the two teams combined for four total first downs, a combined one-for-six on third down conversions and 114 yards of total offense.

Hindenach and junior defensive tackle Pierce Miller each recorded a tackle for loss on the Lakers’ opening drive, with Miller moving the home team back three yards before Hindenach dropped the Lakers back 13 yards on the next play. The Lakers’ second drive of the second half resulted in a turnover on downs from gang tackling by the Huskies at the line of scrimmage.

The Lakers converted on fourth down at the Huskies 31 31-yard line to begin the final quarter of play, ultimately settling for a 33-yard field goal after eating up 5:10 off the clock for a 10-play drive that went 49 yards.

With 4:36 to play the Huskies offense orchestrated an 11 play, 82 yard drive in 2:07 with Bueno compiling 40 yards threw the air on three passes while Michigan Tech also enjoyed a roughing the passer call before the Rochester Hills, Michigan, native ripped off a 25-yard run to the house, making it a 18-15 game following a successful two-point conversion where Bueno found senior wide receiver Ethan Champney for the score with 2:29 to play.

Bueno finished the day with 210 yards through the air, completing 18 of his 34 passes while adding a team-high 42 rushing yards. Kurncz was Bueno’s top target with a team-leading 69 yards on four receptions.

The Lakers deflated a Michigan Tech comeback after completing a 14 yard pass on third and 10 from midfield, allowing the home team to drain the clock and decide the game at 18-15.

Senior linebacker Porter Zeeman had a team-high 12 total tackles and two quarterback hurries for Michigan Tech as Hindenach had two TFLs for 20 yards.

Up next

The Huskies return home on Saturday for a key matchup against Saginaw Valley State on Senior Day, slated for a noon kickoff at Kearly Stadium.