Huskies football falls at top-ranked Ferris State
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BIG RAPIDS -- The No. 12 Michigan Tech Huskies football team fought hard, but ultimately fell, 27-17, at No. 1 Ferris State Saturday. The Huskies cut it to a one-score game late, but weren’t able to recover the onside kick.
“We had too many self-inflicted wounds, which you can’t make when you’re playing the best team in the country,” Huskies coach Dan Mettlach said. “Give them credit. They’re talented everywhere on the field, but we didn’t give up and get down on ourselves. (We) were able to make it a one-score game.
“I thought our guys played hard, and the effort and physicality were there on both sides of the ball. We’ll regroup and get ready for the final road trip.”
The seven-point margin was the closest game for the top-ranked Bulldogs this season as they extended their winning streak to 38 straight.
Michigan Tech scored on its opening drive of the game. After the defense stopped Ferris State on its first drive, sophomore quarterback Elliott Larner scampered 45 yards to set up the Black and Gold on first and goal. On second down, Larner found the end zone to put the Huskies in front.
The Bulldogs then went on a 14-play, 88-yard drive to tie the game. Kevin Simes scored from 12 yards out.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs intercepted the Huskies and then went 57 yards in seven plays to take the lead. Chase Carter threw to Taariik Brett on a 15-yard score.
Ferris State added a 31-yard field goal with four seconds left for a 17-7 halftime advantage.
The Huskies fumbled on the opening drive of the second half, and the Bulldogs capitalized, going 32 yards in four plays. Carter threw to Tae Boyd for a 12-yard touchdown to take a 24-7 lead.
Michigan Tech wasn’t going down without a fight. Junior kicker Avery Kucharski made a 35-yard field goal with 5:02 left in the third. Ferris State then fumbled the kickoff, and freshman defensive back Jadon Bender recovered for the Huskies at the 25-yard line.
Larner scored from one yard, and Kucharski added the extra point to make it a 14-point game with 2:46 left in the third.
Ferris State hit a 50-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter to push it to a 10-point game.
The teams traded possessions in the fourth quarter before Kucharski hit from 33 yards out to make it a seven-point game.
Michigan Tech wasn’t able to recover a short kick, and the Bulldogs were able to run out the clock.
Junior quarterback Alex Bueno was 12 for 20 for 106 yards. Larner rushed for 63 yards and two scores. Junior wide receiver Nic Nora had three grabs for 34 yards.
Carter threw 11 for 23 for 122 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. He also rushed for 148 yards on 25 attempts.
Sophomore linebacker Mahdi Sabbagh led the Huskies with 13 total tackles, and senior linebacker Chase Koch added 12.
Up next
Michigan Tech wraps up the road portion of its schedule next week at Saginaw Valley State.