Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The No. 14-ranked Michigan Tech football team overwhelmed No. 12 Davenport, not allowing a touchdown and handing the Panthers a 37-6 loss on Saturday at Kearly Stadium. The Huskies scored 30 first-half points and didn't allow the opponent into the end zone for the first time since Nov. 4, 2023.
 
Tech improved to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the GLIAC, winning eight games for the first time since the 2014 season. Davenport fell to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the GLIAC.
 
"It was a good response from our guys to welcome a quality team to our place and play with effort and toughness right from the opening whistle," Tech coach Dan Mettlach said. "I was happy with the effort the whole way through."
 
On Tech's second drive of the game, Nic Nora got loose for a 73-yard touchdown from Alex Bueno, going 49 yards after the catch into the end zone.
 
The defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense worked its way down the field with chunk plays of 22 and 13 by Abram Larner. Avery Kucharski hit from 47 yards for a 10-0 lead. The field goal tied a school record for career field goals as Kucharski hit his 29th and tied Garrett Mead, who played for Tech from 2011-14.
 
DU had another three-and-out that led to another Tech touchdown. Samuel Delgado went for 24 yards on a fake end around at the end of the first quarter, and then Elliott Larner went in from 42 yards on the first play of the second quarter.
 
A third straight defensive stand by the Huskies had the Black and Gold looking for more. Jake Rueff and Elliott Larner combined for 53 yards rushing on the next two plays, and then Larner scored a touchdown a few plays later for a 23-0 lead.
 
The Huskies got the ball back with 2:58 left in the first half and made it count. Elliott Larner threw to twin brother Abram Larner from 12 yards out for the final score of the half with 55 seconds left.
 
Tech found the end zone on the first drive of the second half for the final touchdown of the game. Alex Bueno tossed to Abram Larner from 11 yards out to cap off a 7-play, 68-yard drive that went for 3:59.
 
The Panthers hit two field goals in the fourth quarter for their points. Ian Jenkins hit from 26 yards 51 seconds into the final quarter and then another from 31 yards with 6:13 left.
 
Tech held a 441-296 advantage in total yards, including a 217-82 lead in passing yards. Elliott Larner rushed for 87 yards on eight carries with two touchdowns. Alex Bueno was 10 for 16 passing for 178 yards and two scores. Nic Nora had 143 yards receiving with a score, and Abram Larner went for 75 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
 
Cephus Harris came into the game averaging 194 yards rushing and was held to 66 yards
 
Chase Koch anchored the Huskies' defense with 11 total tackles. Mahdi Sabbagh added eight tackles while Dakota Blackwell, Nolan Schopp, and Joe Marano each tallied six.
 
Tech wraps up the regular season next week, hosting Wayne State at Kearly Stadium. Kickoff is at noon on Senior Day.