HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Michigan Tech football team defended
its home turf and took care of business today by cruising past
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent Gannon by
a 56-7 count at Sherman Field. Six different Huskies scored, and
the defense limited the Golden Knights to 197 total yards in the
contest.
Tech scored on its opening possession when sophomore Bobby Slowik
nabbed a Steve Short pass at the 20-yard line, spun and sprinted to
the endzone for a 7-0 lead.
Gannon answered with a 78-yard touchdown pass on its opening
offensive play to tie the score.
After that play, the Huskies' defense tightened down —
allowing Gannon just 119 yards and zero points in the final 54:57
of the game.
"This was a good win today," said head coach Tom Kearly. "I was
worried about an emotional letdown after last week, but we came out
and executed our gameplan. The defense settled down after their big
play and really didn't give up much after that."
Phil Milbrath carried a heavy load for the hosts with 23 attempts
for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
Not to be outdone, Marvin Atkins gained 112 yards on 18 carries
including 34 tough yards when he broke several tackles on a
third-quarter touchdown run.
Wide receiver Keith White scored twice — once in the first
quarter and again in the third — to tie a school record for
touchdown receptions in a season with nine. Short finished 13-of-21
for 208 yards and four scores
Tech led, 28-7, at halftime and added scores on five of their seven
possessions in the second half. The Golden Knights lost three
fumbles on the day and registered just 54 yards rushing.
Michigan Tech racked up 580 total yards and committed just one
turnover — an interception in the first quarter.
Defensive end Kirk Kunnen had a monster day with 3.5 tackles for
loss, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Cheyne Nelson and Sean
Spellman paced the team in tackles with seven apiece.
In all, the Huskies' black shirts totaled 14 tackles for loss, five
sacks and three takeaways.
Michigan Tech has one game remaining on its 2007 schedule. It will
come after a bye week next Saturday. The Huskies (5-5 overall, 4-5
GLIAC) will host Findlay on Nov. 10 in hopes of finishing a fourth
straight season with a winning record.
