BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - Michigan Tech defeated Ferris State 28-16 in GLIAC football today as Steve Short threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more. The Huskies won their third straight game to improve to 7-2, but the victory came with a price. Five key players sustained game-ending injuries: running backs Phil Milbrath and Akeem Cason, defensive ends Drew Vanderlin and Todd Storm and fullback Tim Schmalz.

"It wasn't pretty, but wins are wins," said head coach Tom Kearly. "We made the big plays defensively when we had to. And when the game had to be won, we put the ball in Short's hands."

Judging by the first two series of the game, Tech looked like it would run away with an easy victory. Milbrath rushed for 43 yards on the game's opening drive to set up a seven-yard touchdown pass from Short to tight end Bryan LaChapelle. The defense then forced the Bulldogs to go three and out.

Tech's second drive stalled at midfield, and FSU turned the momentum. The hosts drove 84 yards in 12 plays culminating in a 29-yard Tom Schneider quarterback keeper. The Huskies kept the lead, however, as a bad snap on the extra point prevented the PAT kick.

Ferris kept the momentum by forcing a Tech punt, then driving for a 23-yard field goal to take a 9-7 lead.

Midway through the second quarter, Milbrath lugged the ball five straight times for 49 yards to the FSU two-yard line before leaving the game with an apparent leg injury. He did not return. Short finished off the drive with a quarterback keeper for a 14-9 lead.

The Bulldogs fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Tech made them pay. The Black and Gold marched 40 yards capped by Matt Curtin's fingertip grab in the endzone.

FSU tried to trim the deficit before halftime, but could not get on the board. The hosts got down to the Tech seven, then ran 10 plays including a 23-yard field goal attempt that was wide left.

Tech took a 21-9 lead into halftime.

The Huskies maintained their lead throughout the second half, although it was certainly not easy. FSU took the second-half kickoff and drove 83 yards into the endzone on Schneider's second TD run of the day.

After a quick three-and-out, Ferris drove down to the Huskies 16-yard line. Tech's defense held firm, and forced a 33-yard field goal attempt, which was missed, leaving the score 21-16.

The teams battled for field position through the rest of the third quarter. Cason went down with his injury late in the quarter.

Third-string tailback Cedrick Barber entered the game and played well. He rushed for 25 yards during a 68-yard drive to give Tyler Cattelino a 22-yard field goal attempt. The try would have given the Huskies an eight-point lead, but was missed wide right.

Tech's defense held again, then Short and the offense made it a two-score game with a 69-yard drive capped by Short's three-yard touchdown run inside the left pylon. Cattelino's extra point made the score 28-16.

FSU tried to run the hurry-up offense to stay in the game, but back-to-back sacks iced Tech's victory. Storm and Vanderlin collided with each other while down Schneider on the final defensive play and both left the game injured.

The Black and Gold ran out the remaining clock. Schmalz was injured on that final series, but Tech was able to pick up the one first down it needed to kneel out the time.

Six different Tech players combined to rush for 301 yards. Short was 9-of-20 passing for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Tech posted 392 yards of total offense compared to 318 for the Bulldogs.

Jesse Vandenburg and Justin Armstrong paced the Huskies in tackles with nine apiece. Storm added five tackles including 2.5 sacks to boost his season sack total to 10.0. Vanderlin added 1.5 sacks in the contest.

Michigan Tech will wrap up its regular season next Saturday (Nov. 13) vs. Northern Michigan. The battle for the Miner's Cup will kick off at 1 p.m.