The Michigan Tech football celebrates a win this season on the Kearly Stadium field in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Following the second-consecutive season going 7-4 overall and a 4-3 in the GLIAC, highlighted by the 2025 Coach of the Year, Dan Mettlach, an All-Super Region 3 Second Teamer and two Academic All-Americans, the Michigan Tech Huskies football team has announced their team awards.

The Huskies impressed in the 2025 campaign earning their first top-25 win in nearly six years in the season and home opener against No. 16 Bemidji State, won the 15th-straight Miner’s Cup victory and were ranked within the top-25 for the first time since Nov. 3, 2015.

Team awards

The Fred Baird Memorial Outstanding Defensive Player Award winner was Porter Zeeman. The award is named for Fred Baird, who played for the Huskies from 1938-40.

The Daniel Dopp Memorial Outstanding Special Teams Award winner was Patrick Kastner. The award is named for Daniel Dopp, who played for Michigan Tech from 1989-92, and passed away in a car accident on Highway 2 in Iron County.

The Offensive Back of the Year Award winner was Jake Rueff.

The Defensive Lineman of the Year Award winner was Connor Hindenach.

The Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award winner was Jiovanni Travis. The award is given to the player who best simulates the opposing team’s defensive playbook in practice, demonstrating great effort, improvement, and skill to help prepare for future opponents.

The Freshman of the Year Award winner was Elliott Larner.

The Offensive Lineman of the Year Award winner was Brandon DeVries.

The Outstanding Offensive Player Award winner was Nic Nora.

The Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award winner was Jeffrey Price. The award was named after long-time Dean of Student and athletics supporter Harold Meese. Starting as a professor in 1950 in metallurgy, Meese became Dean of Students in 1959 and remained in that position until his retirement in 1984. Meese served as the athletic department’s academic advisor as a volunteer from 1989-94.

The Defensive Back of the Year Award winner was Dante Basanese.

The Ted Kearly Award winner was Drew Collins. The award goes to a player who exhibits passion, pride, and integrity on and off the field.

The most successful football coach in Michigan Tech history, Ted Kearly guided the Huskies from 1969-72 and compiled a remarkable 29-7 (.806) record. During his tenure, the Huskies won three Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. Kearly took over as athletic director following the 1972 football season and spent 17 successful years in the position. Kearly guided the start of women’s athletics into the Tech program, founded the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame, and saved the school’s football program when the budget was cut 76-percent in 1980.

The Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award winner was Josh Byers. The award is given to the player who best simulates the opposing team’s offensive playbook in practice, demonstrating great effort, improvement, and skill to help prepare for future opponents.

The Iron Man Award winner was Desmond Mullen.

The Alan Bovard Most Valuable Player Award winner was Brandon DeVries. Alan J. Bovard came to Michigan Tech in 1947 as athletic director and department head. Bovard expanded the program from four varsity sports to 11, with 17 intramural programs during his tenure. He also coached football for 10 years, including during the 1948 undefeated season (7-0). Bovard was a co-founder of the Huskies Club.

National honors

D2CCA All-Super Region 3 Second Team – Chase Koch

CSC Academic honors

CSC Academic All-America First Team – Dante Basanese

CSC Academic All-America First Team – Nic Nora

CSC Academic All-District – Pierce Miller

ALL-GLIAC honors

GLIAC Coach of the Year – Dan Mettlach

First Team All-GLIAC (Offense) – Brandon DeVries

First Team All-GLIAC (Offense) – Nic Nora

First Team All-GLIAC (Defense) – Dante Basanese

First Team All-GLIAC (Defense) – Chase Koch

First Team All-GLIAC (Defense) – Pierce Miller

Second Team All-GLIAC (Offense) – Ethan Champney

Second Team All-GLIAC (Defense) – Connor Hindenach

Second Team All-GLIAC (Defense) – Porter Zeeman

Honorable Mention All-GLIAC – Rowland Ball

Honorable Mention All-GLIAC – Drew Collins

Honorable Mention All-GLIAC – Matthew Daanen

Honorable Mention All-GLIAC – Avery Kucharski

Honorable Mention All-GLIAC – Jake Rueff

Jack H. McAvoy Award – Drew Collins