A 59-14 win over Lake Erie back on Nov. 15 put the Huskies at 9-1 on the season, only the fourth time in the program’s 92-year history that the team has earned nine wins. The Huskies tied for second in the GLIAC standings alongside Ohio Dominican and fell just one game behind Ferris State for the GLIAC North title. Despite not seizing the conference, the win over Lake Erie gave Tech a chance to earn a NCAA playoff berth.
On Nov. 16, the NCAA playoff brackets were announced, and the Huskies celebrated as they earned only the second NCAA playoff berth in school history. The Huskies took the No. 3 seed in Super Region Four and were set to contend against the Rams of Angelo State at Sherman Field in the first round game on Nov. 22. Other GLIAC teams to make the playoffs included Ferris State, who earned the No. 1 seed, and Ohio Dominican, who seized the No. 5 seed.
Michigan Tech’s last playoff appearance was back in 2004. That year, the Huskies earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye but then fell to North Dakota in the second round game at Sherman Field.
Angelo State University, a team from San Angelo, Texas, is a member of the Lone Star Conference. This year, the Rams went 5-2 in their conference and 8-2 on the season, which included two conference game victories to make it to the NCAA playoffs. Going into the game, the Huskies knew Angelo State’s powerhouse offense, which averaged nearly 42 points per game on the season, was going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Playoff day came and went, but the results didn’t turn in favor of the Huskies. Tech got off to an early lead, up as much as 21-0 in the second quarter, and held the ball for nearly three-quarters of the game, but missed opportunities and mistakes proved costly. The Rams were able to rally back and took the game 42-41.
Senior running back Charlie Leffingwell put Tech up 7-0 after running the ball in ten yards with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. He was a key player in the game, earning 208 of Tech’s 228 rushing yards. Leffingwell would run in two more touchdowns throughout the game. He earned his second touchdown in the second quarter to put the Huskies up 21-0, and a third touchdown came in the third to put Tech up 35-21.
Wide receiver Brandon Cowie was another key player for Michigan Tech. The sophomore earned two touchdowns for the Huskies, receiving passes from senior quarterback Tyler Scarlett on both occasions. Cowie’s first touchdown put Tech up 14-0 in the first with just under two minutes left in the quarter. His second was Tech’s final scoring play of the game. Cowie’s 35-yard catch capped off a 66-yard drive, but senior kicker Garrett Mead’s extra point attempt hit the upright, leaving the Huskies up 41-28 with 8:40 to go in the game.
The Rams scored on their next two possessions following the Cowie touchdown. With 5:42 left in the game, Angelo State’s Ryan Byrd rushed for two yards to cap off a nine-play, 65-yard drive, bringing the score to within six points.
A strong defensive effort by Angelo State held the Huskies to a gain of just five yards upon turning the ball over. After Tech was forced to punt, the Rams’ next drive started at the 50-yard line, and all it took was one play to take the lead. Kyle Washington’s 50-yard pass was complete to Talon Smith, putting Angelo State up 42-41 with 3:31 left on the clock.
The Huskies’ next and final chance to retake the lead came down to a field goal attempt with three seconds left in the game. Mead posted two game-winning field goals throughout the season, but unfortunately for the Huskies, that was not replicated. His 26-yard field goal attempt missed just wide of the upright. Angelo State ran down the final three seconds for the win.
A one-point loss in an NCAA playoff game is without a doubt a bitter way to cap off the season, especially for the 19 seniors who played their final game for Tech. Having that said, making the NCAA playoffs for the second time in program history and earning nine regular season wins for the fourth time in program history is certainly a feat which should not be overlooked.
In addition, a handful of players on this year’s team were recognized with All-GLIAC accolades. Defensive lineman Nelson Wienke, cornerback DeShawn Nelson and left guard Frank Vruwink were named to the All-GLIAC First Team. Wienke was also named GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year. Cowie, Leffingwell, Scarlett, linebacker Paul Kuoppala and center Bruce Tebelman made the All-GLIAC Second Team.
The season may not have ended with a desirable outcome, but this football team posted the best season of Michigan Tech Football in a decade. The Huskies will look to build on this success and carry their momentum into 2015. Until next year, football fans.