Huskies football dominates Panthers in top-25 matchup
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HOUGHTON -- The No. 14 Michigan Tech Huskies football team overwhelmed the No. 12 Davenport Panthers Saturday at Kearly Stadium. The Huskies did not allow a touchdown, and handed the Panthers a 37-6 loss.
The Huskies scored 30 first-half points and didn’t allow the opponent into the end zone for the first time since Nov. 4, 2023.
Michigan Tech improved to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the GLIAC, winning eight games for the first time since the 2014 season. Davenport fell to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the GLIAC.
“It was a good response from our guys to welcome a quality team to our place and play with effort and toughness right from the opening whistle,” Huskies coach Dan Mettlach said. “I was happy with the effort the whole way through.”
On Michigan Tech’s second drive of the game, junior wide receiver Nic Nora got loose for a 73-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Alex Bueno, going 49 yards after the catch into the end zone.
The defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense worked its way down the field with chunk plays of 22 and 13 by sophomore wide receiver Abram Larner. Junior kicker Avery Kucharski hit from 47 yards for a 10-0 lead. The field goal tied a school record for career field goals as Kucharski hit his 29th and tied Garrett Mead, who played for Tech from 2011-14.
Davenport had another three-and-out that led to another Tech touchdown. Junior running back Samuel Delgado went for 24 yards on a fake end around at the end of the first quarter, and then sophomore quarterback Elliott Larner went in from 42 yards on the first play of the second quarter.
A third straight defensive stand by the Huskies had the Black and Gold looking for more. Senior running back Jake Rueff and Elliott Larner combined for 53 yards rushing on the next two plays, and then Larner scored a touchdown a few plays later for a 23-0 lead.
The Huskies got the ball back with 2:58 left in the first half and made it count. Elliott Larner threw to twin brother Abram Larner from 12 yards out for the final score of the half with 55 seconds left.
Michigan Tech found the end zone on the first drive of the second half for the final touchdown of the game. Bueno tossed to Abram Larner from 11 yards out to cap off a seven-play, 68-yard drive that went for 3:59.
The Panthers hit two field goals in the fourth quarter for their points. Ian Jenkins hit from 26 yards 51 seconds into the final quarter and then another from 31 yards with 6:13 left.
Michigan Tech held a 441-296 advantage in total yards, including a 217-82 lead in passing yards. Elliott Larner rushed for 87 yards on eight carries with two touchdowns. Bueno was 10 for 16 passing for 178 yards and two scores. Nora had 143 yards receiving with a score, and Abram Larner went for 75 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Cephus Harris came into the game averaging 194 yards rushing and was held to 66 yards
Senior linebacker Chase Koch anchored the Huskies’ defense with 11 total tackles. Sophomore linebacker Mahdi Sabbagh added eight tackles while senior defensive back Dakota Blackwell, senior defensive lineman Nolan Schopp, and senior linebacker Joe Marano each tallied six.
Up next
Michigan Tech wraps up the regular season next week, hosting Wayne State at Kearly Stadium. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. on Senior Day.