Huskies pick up first win at Saginaw in 20 years
Audio: Coach Kearly Postgame Interview
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — David Walter and Alex Sherbinow scored two touchdowns apiece to lead Michigan Tech to a 35-21 victory at Saginaw Valley State today. It was the Huskies’ first win at SVSU since 1995.
Despite winning by two touchdowns, Tech played from behind a majority of the first three quarters.
Saginaw opened scoring with a 43-yard drive early in the first quarter. The Huskies answered with a 75-yard drive capped by Walter’s first TD reception. A miscommunication on the extra point left the Black and Gold trailing 7-6.
Tech didn’t take its first lead until 3:46 remaining in the half. John Williams connected with Andrew Clark on a double-pass play for 51 yards to the SVSU three-yard line. Williams plowed into the endzone two plays later for the 13-7 advantage which his squad took into intermission.
The Cardinals drove 70 yards on its first possession of the second half and made the extra point for a 14-13 lead.
The visitors marched right back 75 yards. Brandon Cowie passed to the fullback, Sherbinow, for a score and a 20-14 lead.
SVSU answered again for a 21-20 lead with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter.
Tech made it four touchdowns on four possessions for the offenses in the second half. Walter made a tough catch while crossing the goal line with a defender draped on his back. Cowie rushed for a two-point conversion and a 28-21 margin.
Evan Mayer sacked and stripped the Saginaw quarterback on the first play of the next possession. He also recovered the fumble. Michigan Tech went three-and-out on offense, but came up with another takeaway minutes later as Paul Kuoppala intercepted a tipped pass at midfield.
Sherbinow added the insurance score with 7:07 remaining. Tech’s defense held on downs in the red zone, and Cowie kneeled out the remaining clock.
“This is a nice one to get,” said Tech coach Tom Kearly. “The team knew we hadn’t won here in 20 years, but they also knew that these were different teams.
“We made four or five mistakes today, but played pretty well overall. I’m not ready to say we’re a good football team yet, but we’re playing good football at times and I think we can get there.”
Total offense was nearly identical, with the Huskies outgaining the Cardinals 332-to-322. The Black and Gold had much better balance with 190 yards in the air and a season-high 142 on the ground. Saginaw had just 90 yards rushing.
Williams ran for 84 yards on 18 carries. Cowie rushed for 42 yards in addition to completing 14-of-22 passes for 139 yards and three scores.
Six different Tech players caught passes led by Clark’s 81 yards on just three receptions.
Nick Brajak, Jaylyn Williams-Boone and Ben Tauchen all tied for team-high honors in tackles with eight.
Michigan Tech, which is now 3-0 on the season, will return home to face archrival Northern Michigan next Saturday (Sept. 26). Kickoff for the 14th annual Miner’s Cup game is set for 7 p.m. at Sherman Field.
Notes: The Huskies were awarded the Red Feather Game trophy following the contest. The game is an annual Saginaw-area fundraiser for local charities … Tech has won eight straight road games dating back to the 2013 season … Walter has a touchdown catch in all three games this season.