ASHLAND, Ohio - Michigan Tech scored 28 second-half points and had the ball at the Ashland 24-yard line on a potential go-ahead scoring drive in the final minute before falling 34-28 today. The Huskies had first-and-10 at the AU 24 with 45 seconds left but had three passes fall incomplete. The fourth down play went to Phil Milbrath in the backfield on a desperation heave from Steve Short, but Milbrath was tackled immediately to end the drive. Today's loss was Tech's second in as many games by six points or fewer.

"We made too many mistakes and squandered too many points in the first half," said head coach Tom Kearly. "We came back and played a good second half, but Ashland made the crucial big plays."

Tech moved the ball in the opening half, but couldn't finish off a drive. Of the Huskies' five drives in the first 30 minutes, four of them crossed midfield. Two drives ended in punts and the other two on downs. Ashland, meanwhile, scored four times with two touchdowns and two field goals for a 20-0 advantage. AU quarterback Billy Cundiff, the reigning GLIAC player of the year, totaled 236 yards on 17-of-23 passing in the first half.

The tide changed in the second half. The Black and Gold scored on their first drive of the third quarter as Steve Short ran around the right corner from 11 yards out. After a defensive stop, Tech put together a monstrous drive that started at its own four. The offense marched 96 yards in 12 plays to paydirt capped by Marvin Atkins' five-yard run up the middle. That made the score 20-14-the first of three times the Huskies would get within six points.

Ashland scored to open the fourth quarter, but Tech answered this time in the form of Milbrath, who went 11 yards to punctuate a 65-yard drive. The teams traded touchdowns later in the quarter with tight Bryan LaChappelle tallying his first career touchdown with 1:52 to play, making the score 34-28.

With all three timeouts remaining, Tech elected to kick deep. It paid off, as the visitors held AU to a three-and-out. The ensuing punt was marked down at the MT 45.

With 1:27 and no timeouts to work with, Short guided the offense to the Ashland 24-yard line with a pass interference penalty and two completions to Pat Carroll. The Eagles pass rush finally got to Short on the final series-enough to shut down the final scoring threat.

Tech outgained the Eagles in total offense 461-456 and held the ball for three more minutes in the second half.

For just the third time in his career, Short threw for more than 300 yards. He had 305 and a touchdown on 26-of-46 completions.

Milbrath was a big factor in Tech's second half success, gaining 96 of his day's 133 rushing yards in the final two quarters. Receiver Bobby Slowik was also over 100 yards-doing so for the second straight game with 122 on seven catches.

Cundiff cooled off in the second half, but finished with 307 yards and three TDs on 23-of-33 passing.

Tech defensive alley player Jesse Vandenberg paced the team with 10 tackles including a sack. Cornerback Quinn Parnell added nine stops.

Michigan Tech (0-2 overall, 0-2 GLIAC) will try to rebound next Saturday (Sept. 19) in its home opener at Sherman Field. The Huskies will host arch rival Northern Michigan in a battle for the Miner's Cup at 1 p.m.