UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — The Michigan Tech football team
held a two-point halftime lead today at Saginaw Valley State, but
the Cardinals scored 19 unanswered points to gain a 33-16 victory
at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium.
Four turnovers — all in the second half — proved costly
for the Huskies, who fell to 4-4 overall and 4-3 in the Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Tech held its 16-14 lead at halftime thanks to a three-for-three
mark on red zone conversions. Short opened scoring with a five-yard
pass to Keith White at the 1:40 mark of the first quarter. Tyler
Cattelino added the extra point.
On Saginaw's next play from scrimmage, quarterback Chris Dougherty
hit tight end Kevin Kelch for a 74-yard strike to tie the game.
Cattelino connected on a 29-yard field goal with 12:17 to go in the
second quarter to make it a 10-7 Michigan Tech lead. Then after a
defensive stop, Tech marched 85 yards for another score. Marvin
Atkins took a handoff 14 yards up the middle for his fourth
touchdown of the season. The extra point was missed, leaving the
score, 16-7.
SVSU scored with 1:01 remaining in the first half to get within two
at the half.
The teams battled for field position throughout the third quarter.
The Huskies worked themselves to the Cardinal 26-yard line to start
the fourth quarter, but White had a pass bounce out of his hands
into the hands of the defense.
Turnovers on each of their next three possessions — including
another inside the SVSU 20-yard line — kept the Huskies off
the board.
Atkins finished with a game-high 144 yards rushing on 34 carries.
Short added 159 yards passing on 10-of-22 completions. White caught
five passes for 71 yards.
Senior Chris Nowak led the Huskies' defense with nine tackles.
Linebacker Michael Rittenour added eight tackles including a sack.
Cheyne Nelson also had eight stops.
Michigan Tech led in time of possession, 32:44 to 27:16, but the
Cardinals owned the edge in total yardage, 497-420.
Michigan Tech will renew its rivalry with Northern Michigan next
Saturday (Oct. 20) in Marquette, Mich. Kickoff between the Huskies
and Wildcats in the battle for the Miner's Cup is set for 1
p.m.
