HOUGHTON, Mich. — Quarterback Steve Short completed a school-record 85.7 percent of his passes (24-of-28) for 236 yards and three touchdowns today to lift Michigan Tech to a 26-21 season-opening win over Winona State. The eighth-largest crowd in Sherman Field history of 2,955 was on hand to see the Huskies claim victory and debut their new synthetic playing turf.

Winona held a 14-13 lead at the half after both teams posted more than 200 yards of offense. Tech junior Bobby Slowik scored the first touchdown on the new turf with a 10-yard reception from Short at the :20 mark of the first quarter. Tyler Cattelino missed the point after, leaving the score, 6-0.

The Warriors answered with touchdowns on back-to-back drives to grab a 14-6 lead by the 4:45 mark of the second quarter. Tech pulled within one on the ensuing drive as Keith White made a 10-yard grab on a fade route from Short.

Tech fumbled its opening possession of the second half — the only turnover by either team all day — but held WSU on the downs. The Huskies used the momentum to put together two straight scoring drives taking 4:09 and 5:19 off the clock, respectively.

The first TD was a 10-yard Phil Milbrath rush after he took a pitch to the left. The second score was Slowik's second touchdown grab of the day on a perfectly thrown pass to the back right corner of the endzone.

Tech defended its 26-14 lead by stopping Winona on four straight runs from inside the five-yard line. The Huskies stuffed the Warriors inches short of the goal each of the final two plays to keep the lead at 12.

Winona managed to score with 1:29 to play on a quarterback keeper, but couldn't prevent Tech from running out the clock after the on-side kick.

"I thought the two long drives and goalline stand were big," said third-year Tech coach Tom Kearly. "Steve managed the game very well, and our defense came up with the some key stops."

With his 85.7 completion percentage, Short has now set four school records in two career games vs. Winona. He set records for passing yards (431), total offensive yards (504) and passing touchdowns (six) a year ago.

"Everyone did their job today," said Short. "We didn't panic when we were down at halftime. We prepped really well and executed the game plan."

Short completed passes to six different receivers in the game, but a majority went to White and Slowik. White posted 11 catches for 100 yards while Slowik amassed 81 yards and seven grabs.

Milbrath rushed 21 times for 89 yards to help the Huskies compile 120 ground yards as a team.

Safety David Carmody and linebacker John van der Laan tied for team-high honors in tackles with 11 apiece. Linebacker Sean Spellman added 10 stops.

Michigan Tech (1-0) will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play next Saturday (Sept. 6) vs. Hillsdale. Kickoff at Sherman Field is set for 1 p.m.

Notes: White's 11 receptions today give him 94 for his career, which is tied for 10th-most all-time at Michigan Tech ... All four scoring plays for Tech were from the 10-yard line ... Cattelino attempted a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter that was long enough but just wide right.