American college football season
The 2021 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Tech University during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season. The Huskies competed as members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and played their home games at Kearly Stadium in Houghton, Michigan. This was the program's fifth season under head coach Steve Olson.
The Huskies didn't compete in the 2020 season due to the GLIAC cancelling the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
Preseason
Preseason GLIAC poll
The Huskies stand 5th in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll, leading rival Northern Michigan (7th).[2]
GLIAC Media poll |
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
1 | Ferris State | 49 (7) |
2 | Grand Valley State | 43 (1) |
3 | Wayne State (MI) | 36 |
4 | Saginaw Valley St | 25 |
5 | Michigan Tech | 24 |
6 | Davenport | 22 |
7 | Northern Michigan | 15 |
8 | Northwood | 10 |
Personnel
Coaching staff
Name | Position | Season |
Steve Olson | Head coach/defensive line | 5th |
Dan Mettlach | Associate head coach/offensive coordinator | 5th |
Phil Milbrath | Running backs coach/special teams coordinator | 5th |
Bryan Thomas | Defensive coordinator/linebackers | 12th |
Josh Wood | Secondary Defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator | 11th |
Jace Daniels | Offensive line coach | 3rd |
Ken Klein | Defensive line coach | 10th |
Bryan Parker | Outside linebackers coach | 1st |
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
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September 4 | 2:00 p.m. | Hillsdale* | | W 14–10 | 1,767 |
September 11 | 1:00 p.m. | St. Thomas* | - Klearly Stadium
- Houghton, MI
| L 9-12 | 1,660 |
September 25 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 9 Grand Valley State* | - Klearly Stadium
- Houghton, MI
| L 21–44 | 1,447 |
October 2 | 1:00 p.m. | Davenport | - Klearly Stadium
- Houghton, MI
| W 31-7 | 1,700 |
October 9 | 6:00 p.m. | at Wayne State (MI) | | W 30-27 | 3,674 |
October 16 | 12:00 p.m. | at Northern Michigan | | W 21-14 | 3,597 |
October 23 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 1 Ferris State | - Klearly Stadium
- Houghton, MI
| L 10-38 | 1,332 |
October 30 | 3:00 p.m. | No. 8 Grand Valley State | | L 9-14 | 8,652 |
November 6 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northwood | | W 34-0 | 1,031 |
November 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Saginaw Valley State | - Klearly Stadium
- Houghton, MI
| W 21–20 | 1,315 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
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Source[3]
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: — = Not ranked | Week |
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Final |
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D2SIDA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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Coaches | — | —^ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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Game summaries
Hillsdale
Week One: Hillsdale Chargers at Michigan Tech – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
St. Thomas | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
Michigan Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: September 4, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 1,776
- Referee: Rick Schifter
- Source:[4]
St. Thomas
Series Record | Previous meeting | Result |
0–1 | N/A | N/A |
Week Two: St. Thomas Tommies at Michigan Tech – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
St. Thomas | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 12 |
Michigan Tech | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: September 11, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Mostly Sunny
- Game attendance: 1,660
- Referee: Bradley Mutnick
- Source:[5]
No. 9 Grand Valley State
Week Four: No. 9 Grand Valley State Lakers at Michigan Tech – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Grand Valley St | 7 | 23 | 7 | 7 | 44 |
Michigan Tech | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: September 25, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 1,447
- Referee: Brian Bower
- Source:[6]
Davenport
Week Five: Davenport Panthers at Michigan Tech – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Davenport | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Michigan Tech | 14 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 31 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: October 2, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 1,700
- Referee: Brian Bower
- Source:[7]
Wayne State (MI)
Week Six: Michigan Tech at Wayne State – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Michigan Tech | 7 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 30 |
Wayne State | 3 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
at Tom Adams Field • Detroit, MI
- Date: October 9, 2021
- Game time: 6:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 3,674
- Referee: Bradley Mutnick
- Source:[8]
Northern Michigan
Week Seven: Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Michigan Tech | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Northern Michigan | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at Superior Dome • Marquette, MI
- Date: October 16, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 3,597
- Referee: Marty Trudgeon
- Source:[9][10]
For the 11th straight season, Michigan Tech took home the Miner's Cup. During their winning streak, Michigan Tech beat the Wildcats by an average of 8.6 points per game, or an average total of 30.1-21.5 per game. This victory is the largest since a 28-21 victory in 2017. Since 2002, the start of the Miner's Cup, Michigan Tech is 16-3 against the Wildcats, averaging a 31.5-22.2 win per game, or a 9.3 point margin of victory. Michigan Tech has outscored Northern Michigan 599-421 in this series.[11][12]
No. 1 Ferris State
Week Eight: Ferris State at Michigan Tech – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Ferris State | 14 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
Michigan Tech | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: October 23, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Footbally
- Game attendance: 1,332
- Referee: CJ Jackson
- Source:[13][14]
Game information |
- First Quarter
- (14:41) FSU TD: Hunt-Thompson 49-yard pass from Jare Bernhardt (Sy Barnett kick)
FSU 7–0; 1 plays, 49 yards, 0:09 - (08:06) FSU TD: Jare Bernhardt 2-yard run (Sy Barnett kick)
FSU 14–0; 10 plays, 43 yards, 5:29 - Second Quarter
- (05:20) FSU TD: Xavier Wade 14-yard pass from Jare Bernhardt (Sy Barnett kick)
FSU 21–0; 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:01 - (02:28) MTU TD: Darius Willis 31-yard pass from Will Ark (Drew Wyble kick)
FSU 21–7; 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:52 - (00:19) FSU TD: Tyler Minor 5-yard run (Sy Barnett kick)
FSU 28–7; 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:23 - Third Quarter
- (06:30) FSU TD: Xavier Wade 5-yard pass from Jare Bernhardt (Sy Barnett kick)
FSU 35–7; 5 plays, 39 yards, 1:51 - (04:20) FSU FG: Sy Barnett 26-yard field goal
FSU 38–7; 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:43 - Fourth Quarter
- (13:23) MTU FG: Darius Willis 21-yard field goal
FSU 38–10; 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:15 | - Passing
- MTU – Will Ark: 15/32, 145 yards, 1 TD
- FSU – Jare Bernhardt: 17/21, 289 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing
- MTU – Jared Smith: 9 carries, 26 yards
- FSU – Tyler Minor: 11 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving
- MTU – Darius Willis: 6 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD
- FSU – Xavier Wade: 6 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD
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No. 8 Grand Valley State
Week Nine: Michigan Tech at Grand Valley State – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Michigan Tech | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
Grand Valley State | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: October 30, 2021
- Game time: 3:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Overcast, Footbally
- Game attendance: 8,652
- Referee: Brian Bower
- Source:[15]
Game information |
- First Quarter
- (05:27) GVSU TD: Scott Cooper 30-yard pass from Cade Peterson (Kollin Kralapp kick)
GVSU 7–0; 5 plays, 68 yards, 3:41 - Second Quarter
- (08:34) GVSU TD: Jacob Miller 3-yard pass from Cade Peterson (Kollin Kralapp kick)
GVSU 14–0; 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:43 - Third Quarter
- (04:20) MTU FG: Drew Wyble 30-yard field goal
GVSU 14–3; 13 plays, 55 yards, 6:15 - Fourth Quarter
- (13:23) MTU FG: Justin Davis 14-yard pass from Will Ark (two-point conversion failed)
GVSU 14–9; 7 plays, 69 yards, 4:00 | - Passing
- MTU – Will Ark: 15/31, 180 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- GVSU – Cade Peterson: 20/31, 181 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing
- MTU – Jared Smith: 15 carries, 47 yards
- GVSU – Cade Peterson: 9 carries, 56 yards
- Receiving
- MTU – Jordan Janssen: 4 receptions, 77 yards
- GVSU – Jacob Miller: 8 receptions, 56 yards, 1 TD
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Northwood
Week Ten: Michigan Tech at Northwood – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Michigan Tech | 7 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
Northwood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: November 6, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Sunny
- Game attendance: 1,031
- Source:[16]
Game information |
- First Quarter
- (06:31) MTU TD: Justin Davis 3-yard pass from Will Ark (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 7–0; 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:31 - Second Quarter
- (02:29) MTU FG: Drew Wyble 25-yard field goal
MTU 10–0; 14 plays, 65 yards, 6:20 - (00:01) MTU FG: Drew Wyble 27-yard field goal
MTU 13–0; 9 plays, 58 yards, 1:24 - Third Quarter
- (08:51) MTU TD: Jared Smith 41-yard rush (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 20–0; 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:51 - (02:58) MTU TD: Kyle Wood 7-yard rush (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 27–0; 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:16 - Fourth Quarter
- (07:45) MTU TD: Michael Bates 100-yard INT Return (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 34–0 | - Passing
- MTU – Will Ark: 14/24, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- NU – Jacob Baldwin: 5/10, 60 yards, 1 INT
- Rushing
- MTU – Jared Smith: 21 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD
- NU – Ty Cox: 12 carries, 47 yards
- Receiving
- MTU – Justin Davis: 7 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD
- NU – Ethan Bunch: 3 receptions, 40 yards
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In impressive fashion, Michigan Tech was not only able to get their first shutout win since November 13, 2010 (a 21-0 win against Northern Michigan), but the Huskies were also able to not only intercept the ball at an important spot in this victory, but also return it all of 100 yards for a touchdown as the last scoring play of the game.[17][18]
Saginaw Valley State
Week Eleven: Saginaw Valley State at Michigan Tech – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Saginaw Valley State | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
Michigan Tech | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Klearly Stadium • Houghton, MI
- Date: November 13, 2021
- Game time: 1:00 p.m.
- Game weather: Cloudy
- Game attendance: 1,315
- Referee: Mike Packard
- Source:[19][20][21]
Game information |
- First Quarter
- (10:03) SVSU FG: Connor Luksic 27-yard field goal
MTU 0–3; 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:47 - (06:01) MTU TD: Darius Willis 28-yard pass from Will Ark (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 7–3; 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:54 - Second Quarter
- (10:11) MTU TD: Jared Smith 4-yard rush (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 14–3; 15 plays, 82 yards, 7:18 - (03:25) SVSU TD: Colby Newburg 4-yard rush (Ryan Heicher)
MTU 14–10; 5 plays, 30 yards, 2:14 - Third Quarter
- (07:07) SVSU TD: Tommy Scott 34-yard rush (Connor Lusic kick)
MTU 14–17; 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:25 - (01:18) MTU TD: Hunter Richards 23-yard pass from Will Ark (Drew Wyble kick)
MTU 21–17; 12 plays, 82 yards, 5:49 - Fourth Quarter
- (04:57) SVSU FG: Connor Luksic 24-yard field goal
MTU 21–20; 10 plays, 30 yards, 5:23 | - Passing
- MTU – Will Ark: 15/28, 141 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- SVSU – Colby Newburg: 10/15, 116 yards
- Rushing
- MTU – Jared Smith: 15 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD
- SVSU – Tommy Scott: 18 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving
- MTU – Jordan Janssen: 4 receptions, 36 yards
- SVSU – Isaiah Johnson-Mack: 9 receptions, 78 yards
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References
- ^ "GLIAC suspends all fall sports; no football for Grand Valley, Ferris, Wayne State, others". freep.com. August 12, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "2021 GLIAC FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL". GLIAC. August 9, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Michigan Tech Football". michigantechhuskies.com. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ "Hillsdale College vs. Michigan Tech - Box Score - 9/4/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "ST Thomas vs. Michigan Tech - Box Score - 9/11/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Grand Valley State vs. Michigan Tech - Box Score - 9/25/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Davenport vs. Michigan Tech - Box Score - 10/2/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Michigan Tech vs. Wayne State - Box Score - 10/9/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan". michigantechhuskies.com. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan". nmuwildcats.com. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "PREVIEW: Huskies play Wildcats for Miner's Cup Saturday". michigantechhuskies.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "Beating themselves: Northern Michigan University Wildcats' football team loses Miners Cup for 11th time in a row with another heartbreaking loss to Michigan Tech". Mining Journal. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Ferris State at Michigan Tech". Michigan Tech Athletics. October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "Huskies fall to #1 Ferris State 31-10". Michigan Tech Athletics. October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "Michigan Tech at Grand Valley State - Box Score - 10/30/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Michigan Tech at Northwood - Box Score - 11/6/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "MTU Football Dominates Northwood". Upper Michigan Source.
- ^ "Football Drops 34-0 Contest To Michigan Tech". Northwood Athletics.
- ^ "Saginaw Valley State at Michigan Tech - Box Score - 11/13/2021". Michigan Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Huskies Edge Cardinals 21-20 in Season Finale". Saginaw Valley State Athletics.
- ^ "Huskies Top Cardinals on Senior Day 21-20". Michigan Tech Athletics.
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Venues | |
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Rivalries | |
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People | - Head coaches
- Statistical leaders
- NFL draftees
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Seasons | |
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