Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Another week, another nail-biter and another win for the Michigan Tech football team. For the second straight week, the Huskies’ offense scored a fourth quarter touchdown and the defense made a big play at the end to preserve a victory—this one a 31-28 triumph over visiting Indianapolis at Sherman Field.

Steve Short completed a 2-yard pass to fullback Michael Macpherson with 1:26 to play, then Michael Cardwell sacked Greyhound quarterback Lance Lasker on the game’s final play as the visitors were driving inside the Huskies’ 30-yard line.

“We’ve been fortunate,” said head coach Tom Kearly, whose team improved to 4-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less. “Steve (Short) didn’t have great numbers, but he led us down the field, and we answered the call in the fourth quarter. The defense made big plays and got us two takeaways and the sack at the end.”

Michigan Tech started quickly and had 142 rushing yards and a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. UIndy punted on its first five possessions before scoring midway through the second quarter on a 15-play drive. Tech answered just one minute later as Short hit Keith White in stride for a 41-yard score.

The Greyhounds got back within 21-14 with a 34-yard screen pass play with 5:40 left in the half. The Huskies drove into the UI red zone late in the half, but Short’s pass was intercepted in the endzone. The score was 21-14 at the break.

In the second half, Indianapolis grabbed momentum by tying the game on their first possession and forcing the Huskies to go three-and-out.

Tech’s Quinn Parnell intercepted his first career pass with 1:46 remaining in the third quarter to set up a 42-yard Tyler Cattelino field goal, which put the hosts back on top, 24-21.

Indy took its first lead with 8:21 to play with a 5-yard pass from Lasker to tight end Jimmy Ladd.

Both teams then threw interceptions, with Tech’s David Carmody returning his to the Indy 34-yard line with 5:16 to play. Eight plays later, and after Akeem Cason recovered his own fumble at the 2-yard line, Short found Macpherson open in the endzone with the go-ahead score.

“We’ve been practicing that play for a while,” Macpherson said of the eventual game winner, which was also his first career touchdown. “I act like I’m blocking for Steve to run, then slip behind the defender into the flat. It was a huge play.”

Indianapolis, with only one timeout at its disposal, managed to drive 45 yards to the Michigan Tech 29-yard line with less than 15 seconds to play. Lasker scrambled to his left and was looking downfield when Cardwell caught him from behind and tallied the game’s only sack. With no more timeouts, Indy could not regroup for another play before time expired.

Replacements for injured players seemed to come through in big situations all day for the Huskies. Cardwell was starting in place of injured defensive end Drew Vanderlin. Cason racked up a career-high 123 yards on 17 carries as Phil Milbrath sat out most of the second half with injury. Parnell, who saw more action than usual because of Matt Petr’s absence due to injury, had four tackles and the interception.

Short finished 11-of-22 for 131 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions. White had 4 catches for 70 yards and a score. Bobby Slowik returned from missing last week with injury to post 5 catches for 53 yards.

Carmody and Kirk Kunnen tied for game-high honors in tackles with 13 apiece. Jesse Vandenberg added 11 stops.

Michigan Tech is now 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Huskies travel to Saginaw Valley State (4-3, 4-3) next Saturday (Oct. 25) for a noon kickoff.