#4 GLIAC NORTH
MICHIGAN TECH HUSKIES
(6-4 OVERALL, 6-4 GLIAC)
2014 Michigan Tech Preview (by Tony Nicolette, GLIAC contributor)
Since taking over the helm at Michigan Tech eight seasons ago, coach Tom Kearly has been one of several strong examples of consistency within the GLIAC. Seven of his eight seasons have netted winning records, and last year’s 6-4 mark was the fourth in a row despite his defense struggling a bit after the midway point of the season. The Huskies allowed 23.4 points per game over the first half of the slate, but were less stingy over the final five weeks allowing 32.8 points per outing.
Despite the late slide of a year ago, the defense should be much more experienced entering the 2014 campaign. While leading tackler Taylor Ziolkowski as moved on, many of the rest of last year’s starters were underclassmen so the potential for this group to play with a bit more seasoning is present. DL Nelson Wienke led the team in sacks last year and earned All-GLIAC nod in the process, so the senior will likely be a key leader on this year’s unit.
A couple of seniors will be key pieces of the Husky offense as the new season commences. The importance of an experienced starting QB is seldom understated, and this will be Tyler Scarlett’s fourth year at the helm for Tech. Scarlett is already the most prolific passer in school history, and he holds the majority of MTU’s career passing marks. Joining him in the backfield will be fellow senior Charlie Leffingwell, who posted 1,238 yards on the ground a year ago…good for fifth in the league. That’s a solid one-two punch, and additional balance is on hand for the offense with the return of WR Brandon Cowie who led the team with 933 receiving yards last season.
After playing four of their first five on the road, Tech sees the back half of their slate reverse and they’ll host four of their final five tilts. There is an interesting stretch of “old school” GLIAC match-ups over a five game stretch in the middle of the season they face Saginaw Valley, arch-rival Northern, Northwood, Grand Valley and Ferris. Three of those five are at home, and with Northern being their nearest opponent the trip to Northwood is the only true “roadie” of that sequence.