GLIAC Football: Michgian Tech 41 Northern Michigan 17

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Miner’s Cup will return to Houghton after Michigan Tech defeated Northern Michigan 41-17 in GLIAC football today at the Superior Dome. The Huskies (4-1 overall and 4-1 in the GLIAC) scored the first 34 points of the game and held off a second-half surge by the Wildcats (1-5 overall, 0-5 GLIAC) to claim the rivalry trophy for the eighth time in its 11-year existence.

In a reverse of last week’s game where Tech rallied from a 30-point halftime deficit vs. Grand Valley State to within eight, the Huskies played a stellar first half to gain a 31-point advantage at the break.

“We played a good game,” said head coach Tom Kearly. “I thought our defense did a good job taking away their ability to run, and our offense hit some big plays.”

The Black and Gold scored all 34 points in little more than 15 minutes. Cedrick Barber <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/barber%20cedrick00.html> broke the seal with a three-yard run at the 3:24 mark of the first quarter. The Huskies then scored on four passing plays.

Ethan Shaver <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/shaver%20ethan00.html> found fellow wide receiver Matt Curtin <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/curtin%20matt00.html> wide open on a trick play for a 43-yard score with 2:20 to go in the first. Quarterback Tyler Scarlett <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/scarlett%20tyler00.html> then threw a touchdown to Shaver and two to Curtin including a 62 yarder midway through the second.

Northern Michigan broke up the shutout on the final play of the first half with a 43-yard field goal.

The Wildcats made things interesting by putting two touchdowns on the board in the second half. Christian Jesse scored on a direct-snap play with 4:15 remaining in the second, then hauled in a 77-yard touchdown pass with 10:25 left in the game.

Tech iced its third straight win in the series with a 12-yard blocked punt return touchdown from Nelson Wienke <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/wienke%20nelson00.html>.

Curtin was named Superior Player of the Game for the second straight week. He posted seven catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns. That gives him an incredible 16 receptions for 361 yards and seven TDs over the last two games.

Scarlett completed 19-of-36 passes for 275 yards. Three different Huskies’ running backs had at last 40 yards on the ground led by senior Josh Hauswirth <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/hauswirth%20josh00.html>’s 62 on 10 carries.

Senior defensive back Kevin Nancarrow <http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/fball/2012-13/bios/nancarrow%20kevin00.html> was Tech’s top tackler with eight in the contest.

Michigan Tech will return home for its annual Homecoming game next Saturday (Oct. 13) at 1 p.m. The Huskies entertain Northwood.