HOUGHTON, Mich. — Fans who liked offense and scoring got their money's worth at Sherman Field today as Ashland defeated No. 24-ranked Michigan Tech, 48-41. The teams combined for 1,027 yards of total offense, and the lead changed hands twice in the second half.

Ashland (1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) put three touchdowns on the board in the opening quarter and led by a 21-0 count with 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Tech battled back to within 28-20 at the half thanks to three touchdowns by Phil Milbrath and a late interception from Robert Haynes.

Michigan Tech (2-1, 1-1 GLIAC) took its opening drive of the second half to paydirt as Steve Short scored on a sprint out to the left. The hosts opted to go for a two-point conversion to tie the game, but it failed.

The two-point deficit didn't last for long, though. Haynes intercepted his second pass of the game to set Tech up at midfield. Six plays later and just over nine minutes into the second half, the Huskies had a 34-28 lead on Milbrath's fourth TD of the contest.

AU wasted no time in regaining the lead as it went 62 yards in just 2:19 for a 35-34 edge. The Eagles' Tom Brenner then pushed the lead to seven with a 26-yard interception return. The defenses went to work early in the fourth quarter, allowing no scoring until Ashland's Dawon Harvey broke the game open with a 55-yard run at the 5:43 mark.

Tech trimmed the margin to 48-41 with a 20-yard pass from Short to Bobby Slowik with 47 seconds left. The visitors recovered the ensuing on-side kick and ran out the remaining time.

"They're a good team with a lot of weapons," said Tech head coach Tom Kearly. "Their quarterback had a great day.

"I was happy with the way we battled back. We played hard and had our chances."

Michigan Tech totaled 235 rushing yards led by Milbrath, who finished with 172 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on 33 carries. Short added 200 yards passing on 16-of-27 completions.

Ashland was paced by Billy Cundiff's 423 yards and five touchdowns passing. Harvey added 149 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Eagles, who were picked second in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Haynes, who has three interceptions on the year, finished with seven tackles. Jamell Matthias posted a team-high eight tackles.

Michigan Tech will have a short week of practice before traveling on arch rival Northern Michigan in the annual Miner's Cup game. The game will take place Thursday (Sept. 18) at 8 p.m. and will be televised on FSN Detroit and CBS College Sports Network.