Kucharski kicked field goal to force extra session
BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Michigan Tech football team took No. 25 Bemidji State to overtime before ultimately falling to the Beavers in the first meeting in over 30 years, 19-13, Thursday night at Chet Anderson Stadium.
“Bemidji has a really good football team—I thought our guys played their butts off,” head coach Dan Mettlach said. “I think we had way too many self-inflicted wounds, but our guys played hard—I love our football team and we’ll get better from this but we’ve got some stuff we’ve got to clean up.
“It felt like when we held up upfront our skill was making plays on the outside but, you can’t get to the point of being one-dimensional and their defensive line took our opportunity to run the ball. I give our guys a ton of credit, but unfortunately, we didn’t make the plays necessary to win the game and you need to against a top-25 team like Bemidji.”
Michigan Tech (0-1) converted on its first drive after the stellar defense forced Bemidji State (1-0) to punt on their 44-yard line. Quarterback Alex Fries connected to Michigan Tech’s all-time reception leader Darius Willis three times before looking to Ethan Champney for a 27-yard touchdown through the air to put the Huskies ahead 7-0 following a successful PAT by first year kicker Avery Kucharski at the 8:25 mark.
The Beavers looked to answer on the next offensive drive, yet the lengthy Sam Ahern, who tied for leading the team with three interceptions a season ago, once again made the big play in the red zone.
The Farmington, Michigan, native picked off the Beavers quarterback Sam McGath at the one-yard line before getting tackled eight-yards later.
The Beavers accrued five penalties for 53 yards in the first half as the two teams began what was going to be a defensive battle all night long. Neither team got close to scoring in the second quarter—although the Huskies’ defense once again shined with Hunter Buechel forcing a fumble at the 3:04 mark recovered by Briar Cliff transfer Pierce Miller.
However, MTU could not translate the turnover into points heading into halftime, with two penalties hindering the offense despite closing the first half with a 7-0 advantage.
The Huskies struck again early in the third quarter with the first career field goal for Kucharski, making it a two-score game (10-0) 2:25 into the third quarter, connecting on a 30-yard field goal.
Bemidji State’s urgency kicked in during the second half as the Beavers controlled possession for nearly 18 minutes while outgaining the Huskies 221 yards to 110. Kicker Joey Prondinski went 2-for-3 on field goals in that span, with his second making it a one-score game at 10-6 with 10:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Then, the Beavers finally broke free for their first touchdown of the day, with McGath connecting on a four-yard pass to Brice Peters, giving BSU its first lead of the game at 13-10.
The Huskies managed the clock down the stretch, traveling 55 yards in 12 plays, concluded by Kucharski hitting a 32-yard field goal at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 13-all. Bemidji State helped MTU’s cause with a personal foul, granting the Huskies 15 yards in the drive.
Tech had a chance to take the lead once again, although a 27-yard field goal attempt by Kucharski was no good. Bemidji State took two plays to find the end zone as Brice Peters again delivered on a 21-yard reception from McGath to win the game 19-13 in OT.
Marc Sippel had seven solo and seven assisted tackles, while Dante Basanese posted five solo and seven assisted. Jacob Drietz led the Beavers with seven.
Alex Fries went 28-for-43 for 261 yards and a touchdown pass. Willis had a team-leading 10 receptions and 113 yards. Champney had the lone touchdown and a 27-yard reception.
2023 Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention punter Brenden Lach had seven punts, averaging 45 yards per and a long of 64.
Up Next
The Huskies continue the nonconference slate next week, welcoming South Dakota Mines to Kearly Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m.
