Football Takes 2-0 Record to Findlay
THE MATCHUP
Saturday, September 28, 2013 • 3:00 p.m. (EDT)
Michigan Tech (2-0, 2-0 GLIAC) at Findlay (1-2, 0-2 GLIAC)
Full version of game notes in PDF
Radio Broadcast: WKMJ 93.5 FM (Josh Ylitalo)
Video Webcast: findlay.edu/uftv/Documents/UFoilers_live.aspx
Audio Webcast: Pasty.net
Live Stats: livestats.prestosports.com/michigantech/
HUSKIES BOAST NATION'S BEST DEFENSE
Michigan Tech enters week three of the 2013 season with the No. 1 total defense in Division II. The Huskies have allowed just 197.0 yards per game over the first two weeks including just 24.0 on the ground. Last week Walsh totaled just 16 yards on 19 carries. Tech's defense also ranks tops nationally in first downs allowed (just 24 in two games) and has helped the team rank first in time of possession (37:56 per game).
MEAD RESETS SCHOOL RECORDS
Kicker Garrett Mead broke a pair of school records and tied another during Tech's 29-7 football win over Walsh last Saturday with five field goals and 17 kick scoring points. The junior kicked field goals of 31, 19, 24, 37 and 27 yards in the contest and was named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week. Tech's previous record for field goals in a game was three, held by four different players most recently Mead, who made three vs. Winona State as a freshman (Sept. 3, 2011). The Huskies previous record for kick scoring points in a game was 13, held by two players and accomplished most recently by Billy Scyphers vs. Northwood on Oct. 6, 2001. Mead tied Todd Werner's (Sept. 19, 1998 vs. Hillsdale) record for field goal attempts in a game with five.
700 GAMES IN THE BOOKS
The Michigan Tech football program played the 700th game in school history on Saturday (Sept. 21) vs. Walsh. The Huskies are in their 91st season of intercollegiate football. The first official season was 1920 (with three years of no teams because of World War II). Tech has an all-time football record of 349-334-17 (.511 winning percentage).
SCARLETT NOW THIRD ALL-TIME IN CAREER PASSING YARDS
Quarterback Tyler Scarlett completed 15-of-26 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns last week vs. Walsh. The yardage brought his career total to 5,472—good for third all time. Scarlett, who owns the top two passing seasons in school history (2,406 as a freshman and 2,596 last year), is averaging 235.0 yards per game so far in 2013.
Michigan Tech Career Passing Yards Pct TDs Ints
1. Steve Short (2006-10) 7,471 .579 59 44
2. Dave Walter (1983-86) 6,876 .505 48 59
3. Tyler Scarlett (2011- ) 5,472 .644 49 14
LEFFINGWELL'S CARRIES ANOTHER 33 TIMES
Running back Charlie Leffingwell carried the ball 33 times for the second consecutive week when he gained 145 yards on 33 attempts vs. Walsh last Saturday (Sept. 21). In two weeks, the junior has rushed 66 times for 337 yards, an average of 5.1 per carry. His per game average of 168.5 yards is second best in the GLIAC and sixth best nationally. Leffingwell had 86 carries for 411 yards all of last season.
PUNTING AS A WEAPON
The Huskies have only needed to punt five times in two games so far in 2013. Senior Jordan Ledvina is averaging 48.2 yards per attempt. He does not have enough attempts per game (3.6) to qualify for national statistical rankings, which would have him third with that average. As a team, Michigan Tech leads the nation in net punting with a team average of 47.0 yards per punt.
WIENKE NOW FIFTH IN CAREER SACKS
Defensive end Nelson Wienke posted four tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and one sack in the Huskies win over Walsh. The junior's sack came on the final play of the first half and accounted for a loss of 20 yards. Wienke, who was named All-GLIAC Second Team a year ago after finishing second in the league in sacks, now has 12.5 career sacks—good for fifth all-time at Tech.
COWIE CATCHES FIRST CAREER TD; COMPLETES FIRST CAREER PASS
Wide receiver Brandon Cowie hauled in his first career touchdown pass on a fade route in the first quarter vs. Walsh. The converted quarterback playing in just his second game as a wideout had 86 yards receiving on four receptions. Cowie also completed a 40-yard pass on a fake reverse in the game for his first career completion.
COACH KEARLY
Michigan Tech head coach Tom Kearly is in his eighth season as head coach and 14th overall with the Huskies program. The skipper owns a 46-29 record (.613 winning percentage) and has coached Tech to two of the eight eight-win seasons in school history. Kearly, a Hancock native and 1979 Winona State graduate, coached at Central Michigan for 19 seasons before returning to the Copper Country in 2000. He was the GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2010.
2013 CAPTAINS
Michigan Tech's team captains for the 2013 season are offensive lineman Chris Mullen, defensive lineman David Russek, quarterback Tyler Scarlett and fullback Cole Welch.
SERIES VS. FINDLAY
Michigan Tech's game at Findlay Saturday (Sept. 28) will be the 10th meeting between the teams since the series began in 2000. The Huskies hold a 6-3 record in those games with wins in four of the last five contests. The teams haven't squared off in Ohio since 2008, when Tech won 30-28.
HUSKIES BITES
Michigan Tech's trip to Findlay will be its second trip to Ohio this season. The Huskies played at Tiffin in week one … Tech is playing in a second straight Homecoming game. The event in Houghton was last Saturday (Sept. 21) and Findlay's is this Saturday (Sept. 28) …Michigan Tech received votes in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll.
SUPERIOR PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Superior National Bank sponsors the Superior Player of the Game. Following each football game, a player is chosen. A list of the 2013 Superior Players of the Game is below.
Sept. 14 at Tiffin Charlie Leffingwell (33 carries, 192 yds, 2 TD)
Sept. 21 vs. Walsh Garrett Mead (5 field goals, 2 PAT, 17 Total Points)