CALEDONIA, Mich. — Michigan Tech edged Davenport University 16-14 on Saturday at the Farmers Insurance Complex and handed the Panthers their first homecoming defeat after previously going 8-0. The defensive intensity was on display as both teams found it difficult to move the ball. The Huskies finished with 218 total yards compared to 186 total yards for Davenport. Scores were hard to come by and special teams played a big factor in the final outcome. Avery Kucharski connected on three field goals for the Huskies.
The first quarter opened with Michigan Tech deferring the kickoff, giving the Panthers the first possession. However, the home team quickly turned the ball over as
Mac VandenHout's pass was intercepted by Jeffrey Price at the 37-yard line, leading to a scoring opportunity for Michigan Tech. After a failed drive, Kucharski converted a 43-yard field goal at 10:25, putting the visitors up 3–0. Davenport responded when VandenHout rushed four yards for a touchdown at 8:05, and
Ian Jenkins' extra point put them ahead 7–3. The short field was set up by
George Sims 74-yard kickoff return down to the MTU 13-yard line and it was VandenHout's first rushing touchdown of the season and came on 4th-and-1. The Huskies regained the lead with Nic Nora's 23-yard touchdown run on a reverse around right end at 3:13, followed by a successful extra point, closing the quarter with a 10–7 advantage for Michigan Tech.
The second quarter saw Michigan Tech extend their lead with a 26-yard field goal by Kucharski with 10 seconds left before halftime, bringing the score to 13-7. Michigan Tech's Kolby Hindenach sparked momentum with a 28-yard rush, although subsequent plays were stifled by Davenport's defense, including a six-yard sack by
Mahki Matthews. Davenport struggled to capitalize on their offensive drives, with defensive pressure from Terrence Martin and Jeffrey Price causing incomplete passes and minimal gains. The second quarter saw Michigan Tech gain 71 yards compared to 35 for the Panthers.
In the third quarter, the Huskies' Alex Bueno orchestrated a drive that saw multiple first downs, highlighted by a 13-yard pass to Bryce Kurncz to reach the Panthers' 48-yard line. Despite advancing to the 22-yard line, the drive stalled, and a 39-yard field goal attempt by Avery Kucharski was missed at 1:13. VandenHout responded with a deep 28-yard pass to
Keonta Nixon, gaining momentum. However, his subsequent drive was halted by an interception by Chase Koch at the Michigan Tech 13-yard line, preventing Davenport from capitalizing on their advance.
In a tense fourth quarter, Michigan Tech extended their lead to 16-7 with a 22-yard field goal by Kucharski at 8:02 after DU fumbled the snap on a punt attempt and the Huskies started at the DU 18-yard line. Davenport quickly responded as backup quarterback
Grant Thwaites connected with
Earnest Sanders for a 21-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 16-14 after
Ian Jenkins' successful extra point at 6:26. Thwaites completed three passes on the scoring drive including a 32-yarder to Nixon after a sack on his first snap at quarterback. Davenport's defense held firm, forcing a Michigan Tech punt with 3:55 remaining, but the ensuing drive stalled as Jenkins' 49-yard field goal attempt missed the mark wide right with just over a minute left. The Panthers called timeouts to get the ball back and did force a punt.
Asher Gregory however muffed the punt trying to pick it up on the run and the Huskies recovered with 41 seconds left and ran out the clock.
Bueno finished 12-of-27 passing for 104 yards and an interception. Kolby Hindenach led the Huskies with 62 rushing yards on 12 carries. VandenHout led the Panthers with 48 rushing yards and the team was limited to 55 rushing yards, a season low. Thwaites completed 4-of-7 passes for 83 yards. Nixon finished with three catches for 64 yards. Michigan Tech was 6-of-19 on third down and Davenport was 3-of-13. Koch led the Huskies with eight tackles and had a big interception in the red zone.
D'Angelo Bellamy led Davenport with eight tackles, including six solo. DU recorded 11 tackles for a loss of 58 yards.
Austin Stief had three tackles for a loss of 25 yards.
Kennedy Nelson and
Mahki Matthews each tallied a sack.
Diamond Evans picked off a pass inside the 5-yard line and also had four tackles.
In their next game, the Panthers (2-3, 1-2 GLIAC) will head to Detroit to face Wayne State on Saturday, October 18 at 1 p.m.
