Blackwell interception kick-started the Huskies’ offense
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The No. 20-ranked Michigan Tech football team opened its GLIAC schedule with a dominant 57-28 victory at previously unbeaten Roosevelt on Saturday.
“It was a great team win on the road to start GLIAC play,” Tech coach Dan Mettlach said. “The guys handled the travel well and played well from the opening kick until the end.”
The Huskies scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters and 15 in the fourth, racking up 529 yards of offense. The last time Tech scored at least 57 points was Oct. 2023 at Northern Michigan.
Dakota Blackwell intercepted Roosevelt on the first play from scrimmage, and the Huskies’ offense went 60 yards in nine plays to take the lead. Elliott Larner scored on a rush, finding the end zone for the first of three times on the afternoon.
Jaxon Lippert had a 26-yard punt return later in the first quarter to set up the second touchdown. Alex Bueno threw to Abram Larner on back-to-back plays. The first was a 19-yard gain, and the second was a 12-yard touchdown.
The Lakers got on the board with 13:43 left in the second when Tony Chahino threw to DJ Simmons, Jr. for a six-yard touchdown, capping off a five-play, 12-yard drive that was set up by an interception.
Tech went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive and regained its two-score advantage after Jake Rueff scored from 20 yards out.
The teams then traded touchdowns before the half. Javonte McCoy scored on a 26-yard reception for the Lakers with 2:29 on the clock.
The Huskies moved quickly and went 75 yards in 1:27. Alex Bueno found Samuel Delgado wide open in the end zone for an 18-yard scoring catch.
Elliott Larner and DJ Simmons, Jr. then traded a pair of touchdowns each. Larner scored from six yards out with 8:13 on the third-quarter clock.
Simmons, Jr. had a 32-yard reception at 5:48 of the third.
Larner capped off a six-play, 85-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run with 2:22 left in the third. Abram Larner had a 21-yard catch in the drive, and Anthony Martin set up the score with a 33-yard catch from Alex Bueno.
Simmons, Jr. had a 35-yard reception early in the fourth quarter for the final points for Roosevelt.
Jackson Zachary scored on a pick-six, returning it 68 yards for the Tech’s second interception touchdown of the season.
Cameron Cornett scored the final touchdown with a 10-yard run with 1:13 left in the fourth. Tech went five plays and 39 yards on the final scoring drive.
Tech was 7-for-8 in the red zone and 3-for-10 on third down. The defense held the Lakers to 4-for-14 on third down.
Alex Bueno threw 17-for-24 for 241 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jake Rueff had 103 yards of rushing with a touchdown, and Elliott Larner finished with 55 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Martin led the Huskies with 106 receiving yards.
Mahdi Sabbagh led Tech with eight total tackles, including six solos. Chase Koch added six tackles. Dakota Blackwell, Jackson Zachary, and Jacob Najor each had an interception.
Roosevelt was led in passing by Tony Chahino with 302 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. DJ Simmons, Jr. finished with seven grabs for 145 yards and three scores.
Tech returns to Kearly Stadium next week, hosting No. 6 Grand Valley State. Kickoff is set for noon.
