Tech erases deficit to defeat Northwood
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech bounced back from a 21-7 halftime deficit to score 21 unanswered points for a 28-21 victory over Northwood on Homecoming at Sherman Field today. Tech’s defense created three turnovers and pitched a shutout in the second half to help the Huskies improve to 5-1.
“We didn’t play very well in the first half,” said head coach Tom Kearly. “We discussed it at halftime, then came out and scored on the first drive of the third quarter. Really, I thought we won the game in the fourth quarter by playing well on both sides of the ball.”
Tech scored on its opening drive of the second half as quarterback Tyler Scarlett found Matt Curtin for a 38-yard completion. The extra point was missed, however, leaving the score 21-13.
The Huskies defense then went to work with three takeaways on an interception and two fumbles. The Black and Gold didn’t score any points until after the third turnover. Trailing by eight midway through the fourth quarter, Tech took over possession on its own 46 and faced a fourth-and-two at the Northwood 18.
In perhaps the play of the game, Scarlett picked up the first down on a quarterback keeper. Two plays later, Cedrick Barber scored on a three-yard run. Scarlett then ran another keeper for a successful two-point conversion to tie the score at 21-all.
Northwood (4-3 overall, 3-3 GLIAC) went three-and-out on its ensuing drive, and the Huskies were able to get the go-ahead score. Facing a third-and-10 at their own 40, Scarlett hit Bryan LaChapelle across the middle at the 47. The tight end then sprinted the remaining 53 yards with the help of a huge block by wide receiver Pat Carroll. That put the hosts on top 28-21 with 2:37 to play.
The Timberwolves turned the ball over on downs, and the Huskies were able to run out the clock.
“It was a big time play,” said Kearly of LaChapelle’s touchdown. “I didn’t know he was that fast, but he sure came up big for us.”
Including the 60-yarder, LaChapelle finished with three catches for 96 yards. Curtin also neared the century mark with 98 yards on six receptions.
Scarlett was 18-of-32 for 267 yards. Tech once again used a committee of backs to rush for 130 yards. No one player had more than Scarlett’s 32 yards.
Akeem Cason scored the game’s opening touchdown on a seven-yard run at the 4:28 mark of the first quarter. Northwood then scored 21 straight points including 14 off three first-half fumbles by Tech.
Defensive end Nelson Wienke had a big game for the Black and Gold with seven tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble. Linebacker Justin Armstrong had a team-high 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Michigan Tech will now hit the road for its next two games beginning next Saturday (Oct. 20) at Ferris State.
Notes: Matt Curtin has eight receiving touchdowns in the last three weeks and nine for the season, tying a school record held by Keith White (2007) and Brian Janeshek (2003) … Thanks to losses by Grand Valley State (at Northern Michigan 38-10) and Wayne State (at Saginaw Valley State 24-7) this week, the Huskies are now in a three-way tie for first in the GLIAC North Division … Tyler Scarlett has 14 touchdown passes and just three interceptions on the season.