American college football season
The Michigan Tech Huskies football program, 2010–2019 represented Michigan Technological University during the 2010s in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the North Division of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team had two head coaches during the decade: Tom Kearly , who held the post from 2006 to 2016; and Steve Olson , who served from 2017 to 2022.[ 1]
The team played its home games at Sherman Field in Houghton, Michigan . In 2019, the facility was renamed Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium in honor of former coaches Ted Kearly (1969–1972) and his son, Tom Kearly (2006–2016). On September 28, 2019, it was officially dedicated in a pregame ceremony prior to the home opener and homecoming game against Grand Valley State.[ 2]
Year
Head coach
Overall record
Conf. record
Conf. rank
Points scored
Points allowed
Delta[ 3]
Postseason result
AFCA ranking
2010 Tom Kearly 8–2
8–2
2 (North)
305
166 +139
2011 Tom Kearly
7–3
7–3
T–1 (North)
291
195
+96
2012 Tom Kearly
7–4
6–4
T–3 (North)
377 238
+139
2013 Tom Kearly
6–4
6–4
4 (North)
281
275
-6
2014 Tom Kearly
9–2
9–1
T–2
337
215
+122
L, NCAA Division II first round
21
2015 Tom Kearly
7–3
7–3
T–4
200
180
+20
2016 Steve Olson 4–6
4–6
10
142
191
-49
2017 Steve Olson
4–7
3–6
T–7
197
254
-57
2018 Steve Olson
4–6
2–6
7
160
223
-63
2019 Steve Olson
5–5
3–5
T–5
190
243
-53
TOTAL 61–42
The 2010 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division II football season . In their fifth season under head coach Tom Kearly , the Huskies compiled an 8–2 record (8–2 in conference games), finished in second place in the GLIAC North, and outscored opponents by a total of 305 to 166.[ 4]
Quarterback Steve Short completed 126 of 222 passes (56.8%) for 1,525 yards, 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also led the team with 1,909 yards of total offense . The team's other statistical leaders included Phil Milbrath (1,412 rushing yards, 96 points, 1,787 all-purpose yards), Pat Carroll (394 receiving yards), and Matt Curtin (33 receptions).[ 4]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 11 at Lake Erie W 42–132,168
September 18 Wayne State (MI) W 24–72,417
September 25 at Indianapolis W 24–104,243
October 2 Ohio Dominican Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 45–62,669
October 9 at Saginaw Valley State L 31–43[ 5] October 16 at No. 8 Hillsdale L 17–242,117 [ 6] October 23 Northwood Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 62–301,923
October 30 No. 1 Grand Valley State Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 20–171,976 [ 7] November 6 at Ferris State W 28–162,216
November 13 Northern Michigan W 12–01,943
Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 4]
The 2011 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the North Division of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2011 NCAA Division II football season . In their sixth season under head coach Tom Kearly , the Huskies compiled a 7–4 record (6–4 in conference games), tied for third place in the GLIAC North, and outscored opponents by a total of 291 to 195.[ 8]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 3 at Winona State * W 23–62,692
September 10 Lake Erie W 41–101,840
September 17 at No. 14 Wayne State (MI) L 10–273,809
September 24 Indianapolis Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 28–162,111
October 1 at Ohio Dominican Columbus, OH W 35–131,032
October 8 Saginaw Valley State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 41–443,092
October 15 Hillsdale Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 7–131,658
October 22 at Northwood Midland, MI W 24–101,331
October 29 at Grand Valley State L 20–249,199 [ 9] November 5 Ferris State Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 41–141,671
November 12 at Northern Michigan W 21–184,056
*Non-conference game Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 8]
The 2012 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the North Division of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2012 NCAA Division II football season . In their seventh season under head coach Tom Kearly , the Huskies compiled a 7–3 record (7–3 in conference games), tied for the GLIAC North championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 377 to 238.[ 10]
Key players included running back Charlie Leffingwell and wide receiver Pat Carroll.
Date Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance Source September 8 Tiffin Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 51–152,560
September 15 at Walsh North Canton, OH W 30–72,300
September 22 Findlay Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 35–101,963
September 29 Grand Valley State No. 22 Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 43–514,684 [ 11] October 6 at Northern Michigan W 41–174,954
October 13 Northwood Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 28–212,295
October 20 at Ferris State Big Rapids, MI L 49–562,291
October 27 at Saginaw Valley State L 23–343,782
November 3 Hillsdale Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 42–141,662
November 10 at Wayne State (MI) W 35–132,395
Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 10]
The 2013 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the North Division of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2013 NCAA Division II football season . In their eighth season under head coach Tom Kearly , the Huskies compiled a 6–4 record (6–4 in conference games), finished fourth in the GLIAC North, and were outscored by a total of 281 to 275.[ 12]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 14 at Tiffin Tiffin, OH W 40–14
September 21 Walsh Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 29–7
September 28 at Findlay Findlay, OH L 19–40
October 5 at No. 25 Grand Valley State L 3–4913,127 [ 13] October 12 Northern Michigan W 31–7
October 19 at Northwood Midland, MI W 33–31
October 26 Ferris State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 27–301,600 [ 14] November 2 No. 23 Saginaw Valley State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 35–55[ 15] [ 16] November 9 at Hillsdale Hillsdale, MI W 30–27 OT
November 16 Wayne State (MI) Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 28–21
Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 12]
The 2014 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2014 NCAA Division II football season . In their ninth season under head coach Tom Kearly , the Huskies compiled a 9–2 record (9–1 in conference games), tied for second place in the GLIAC, was ranked No. 21 in the final Division II poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 337 to 216.[ 17]
The Huskies' only loss in the regular season was to Ferris State. They then advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, losing in the first round by a 42-41 score against Angelo State ; Michigan Tech kicker Garrett Mead, who had kicked two game-winning field goals earlier in the season, missed a 26-yard field goal with three second remaining in the game.[ 18]
The team's statistical leaders included senior running back Charlie Leffingwell with 1,448 rushing yards and 120 points scored; senior quarterback Tyler Scarlett with 2,154 passing yards and 2,353 yards of total offense; sophomore wide receiver Brandon Cowie with 58 receptions for 786 yards; and junior defensive back Brett Gervais with 67 tackles.[ 17]
Date Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance Source September 4 at Wayne State (MI) Detroit, MI W 18–173,103
September 13 at Malone Canton, OH W 37–61,200
September 20 Saginaw Valley State W 26–202,202 [ 19] September 27 at Northern Michigan W 34–316,427
October 11 at Northwood No. 22 Midland, MI W 21–63,054 [ 20] October 18 Grand Valley State No. 20 Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 35–142,025 [ 21] October 25 No. 6 Ferris State No. 13 Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 3–372,648 [ 22] November 1 at Tiffin No. 21 Tiffin, OH W 35–17372
November 8 No. 22 Ashland No. 20 Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 28–121,435
November 15 Lake Erie No. 20 Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 59–141,261
November 22 No T–23 Angelo State No. 18 L 41–421,131 [ 23] [ 18] Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 17]
The 2015 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2015 NCAA Division II football season . In their tenth and final season under head coach Tom Kearly , the Huskies compiled a 7–3 record (7–3 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the GLIAC.[ 24]
The team's statistical leaders included Brandon Cowie with 2,242 yards of total offense; Kevin Miller with 593 rushing yards; David Walter with 51 receptions for 576 yards; and Alex Sherbinow with 66 points scored.[ 24]
Date Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance Source September 3 Wayne State (MI) W 20–152,645
September 12 Malone Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 28–271,937
September 19 at Saginaw Valley State W 35–217,325 [ 25] [ 26] September 26 Northern Michigan No. 21 W 24–233,918
October 10 Northwood No. 14 Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 30–142,398
October 17 at No. 18 Grand Valley State No. 12 L 21–3810,072
October 24 at No. 3 Ferris State No. 17 L 14–244,285 [ 27] October 31 Tiffin No. 22 Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 39–38 OT 1,386
November 7 at No. 5 Ashland No. 22 Ashland, OH L 14–404,002
November 14 at Lake Erie Painesville, OH W 63–23382
Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 24]
The 2016 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season . In their first season under head coach Steve Olson , the Huskies compiled a 4–6 record (4–6 in conference games) and finished in tenth place in the GLIAC.[ 28]
The team's statistical leaders included senior quarterback Brandon Cowie with 1,888 passing yards and 1,992 yards of total offense; junior running back Josh Williams with 574 rushing yards on 129 carries; junior wide receiver Ian Fischer with 53 receptions for 744 yards; and junior kicker Josh King with 50 points scored.[ 28]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 3 Walsh W 33–72,825
September 10 Ferris State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 28–301,830 [ 29] September 17 at Ohio Dominican Columbus, OH W 17–101,631
September 24 at Hillsdale Hillsdale, MI L 24–512,176
October 1 Saginaw Valley State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 16–173,328 [ 30] October 15 at Tiffin Tiffin, OH L 17–241,557
October 22 at Northwood Midland, MI L 3–172,105 [ 31] October 29 Ashland Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 24–212,016
November 5 at Northern Michigan W 51–45 OT 3,610
November 12 Findlay Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 21–591,622
[ 28]
The 2017 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division II football season . In their second season under head coach Steve Olson , the Huskies compiled a 4–7 record (3–6 in conference games) and tied for seventh place in the GLIAC.[ 32]
The team's statistical leaders included junior quarterback Jake Brown with 1,085 passing yards and 1,243 yards of total offense; senior running back John Williams with 842 rushing yards and 66 points scored; and sophomore wide receiver Jacob Wenzlick with 41 receptions for 444 yards.[ 32]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source August 31 Truman State * W 38–142,920
September 9 at Hillsdale * Hillsdale, MI L 27–312,371
September 16 No. 12 Grand Valley State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 7–421,883
September 23 at Saginaw Valley State W 28–243,891
September 30 Northern Michigan W 28–212,979
October 7 at Northwood Midland, MI L 24–292,906
October 14 at No. 16 Ashland Ashland, OH L 0–483,875
October 21 Wayne State (MI) Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 14–201,904
October 28 Davenport Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 17–10788
November 4 at Tiffin Tiffin, OH L 7–141,750
November 11 No. 10 Ferris State Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 7–491,319
*Non-conference game Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
[ 32]
The 2018 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season . In their third season under head coach Steve Olson , the Huskies compiled a 4–6 record (2–6 in conference games) and finished in seventh place in the GLIAC.[ 33]
The team's statistical leaders included sophomore quarterback Will Ark with 1,654 passing yards and 1,705 yards of total offense; freshman running back Jared Smith with 577 rushing yards; senior wide receiver Jacob Wenzlick with 52 receptions for 872 yards; and freshman kicker Eric Zeebor with 44 points scored.[ 33]
Date Time Opponent Site Result Attendance Source August 30 8:00 p.m. at Truman State * Kirksville, MO W 20–103,361
September 8 1:00 p.m. Hillsdale * W 31–30 OT 2,814
September 15 1:00 p.m. Davenport Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 21–231,808
September 22 7:00 p.m. at No. 5 Grand Valley State L 20–4516,671
September 29 1:00 p.m. Saginaw Valley State L 0–102,173
October 6 2:00 p.m. vs. No. 3 Ferris State L 24–423,285
October 13 1:00 p.m. Wayne State (MI) Sherman Field Houghton, MI W 23–201,941
October 20 1:00 p.m. at Ashland Ashland, OH L 7–272,084
October 27 1:00 p.m. at Northern Michigan W 35–334,359
November 10 12:30 p.m. Northwood Sherman Field Houghton, MI L 23–261,506
[ 33]
The 2019 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Tech University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2019 NCAA Division II football season . Led by third-year head coach Steve Olson , the Huskies compiled an overall record of 5–5 with a mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for fifth in the GLAIC. Michigan Tech played home games at Kearly Stadium in Houghton, Michigan .
Date Time Opponent Site Result Attendance September 7 1:00 p.m. at No. 19 Hillsdale * W 29–142,078 September 14 1:00 p.m. at McKendree * W 24–191,663 September 21 1:30 p.m. at Saginaw Valley State L 7–234,850 September 28 1:00 p.m. Grand Valley State L 16–212,649 October 1:05 p.m. Northern Michigan Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium Houghton, MI (Miner's Cup ) W 24–202,608 October 19 12:05 p.m. at Davenport W 30–171,242 October 26 1:00 p.m. at Ashland Ashland, OH L 12–212,078 November 2 1:00 p.m. No. 2 Ferris State Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium Houghton, MI L 0–521,280 November 9 1:07 p.m. at Wayne State (MI) L 14–352,030 September 19 1:00 p.m. Northwood Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium Houghton, MI W 34–211,177 *Non-conference game Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time
[ 34]
Name
Position
Season
Steve Olson Head coach, defensive line coach
3rd
Dan Mettlach
Associate head coach, offensive coordinator
3rd
Phil Milbrath
Running backs coach, special teams coordinator
3rd
Bryan Thomas
Defensive coordinator, linebackers
10th
Josh Wood
Secondary defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator
9th
Jace Daniels Offensive line coach
1st
Ken Klein
Defensive line coach
8th
^ "Football Year-By-Year Results" . Michigan Technological University . Retrieved March 25, 2025 .^ "Tech Athletics to Dedicate Kearly Stadium September 28th" . Michigan Tech Athletics . September 18, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019 .^ Delta = the difference between points scored and points allowed^ a b c "Michigan Tech Huskies 2010" . NCAA. Retrieved April 2, 2025 .^ "Saginaw Valley State gets much-needed win" . The Bay City Times . October 10, 2010. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com .^ "No. 8 Hillsdale tops Michigan Tech" . Jackson Citizen Patriot . October 17, 2010. p. B5 – via Newspapers.com .^ "GVSU coach: 'We got whipped': Lakers fall to Tech for first time since 1984" . The Muskegon Chronicle . October 31, 2010. p. B6 – via Newspapers.com .^ a b "Michigan Tech Huskies 2011" . NCAA. Retrieved April 2, 2025 .^ Michael uidema (October 30, 2011). "GVSU holds off Mich. Tech: Lakers seal win with defensive stop" . The Grand Rapids Press . p. C6 – via Newspapers.com . ^ a b "Michigan Tech Huskies 2012" . NCAA. Retrieved April 2, 2025 .^ Peter J. Wallner (September 30, 2012). "GVSU hangs on in U.P." The Grand Rapids Press . p. C6 – via Newspapers.com . ^ a b "Michigan Tech Huskies 2013" . NCAA. Retrieved April 2, 2025 .^ Peter J. Wallner (October 6, 2013). "GVSU 48, Michigan Tech 3: GVSU redeems itself in big way after loss last week" . The Grand Rapids Press . p. C5 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Peter J. Wallner (October 27, 2013). "Ferris State 30, Michigan Tech 27: Ferris State rallies past Michigan Tech for close win" . The Grand Rapids Press . p. C5 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Michael Nizlolek (November 1, 2013). "Cardinals continue GLIAC gauntlet with Michigan Tech" . The Saginaw News . p. B3 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Michael Nizlolek (November 3, 2013). "Saginaw Valley State 55, Michigan Tech 35: Strong third quarter propels Cardinals to road win" . The Saginaw News . p. B3 – via Newspapers.com . ^ a b c "Michigan Tech Huskies 2014" . NCAA. Retrieved April 3, 2025 .^ a b Paul Harris (November 27, 2014). "Good and Lucky: Rams make own breaks this season" . San Angelo Standard – via Newspapers.com . ^ Hugh Bernreuter (September 19, 2014). "SVSU, in search of first win, takes on Michigan Tech" . The Saginaw News . p. B2 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Michigan Tech 21, Northwood 6" . The Bay City Times . October 12, 2014. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com .^ "GVSU's postseason hopes doused early in blowout loss" . The Grand Rapids Press . October 19, 2014. p. C6 – via Newspapers.com .^ Peter J. Wallner (October 26, 2014). "Ferris rolls to another win over ranked team" . The Grand Rapids Press . p. C5 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Michigan Tech eliminated as field goal in waning seconds misses" . The Flint Journal . November 23, 2014 – via Newspapers.com .^ a b c "Michigan Tech Huskies 2015" . NCAA. Retrieved April 3, 2025 .^ Hugh Bernreuter (September 18, 2015). "SVSU, Michigan Tech gear up to face off in Red Feather Game" . The Saginaw News . p. B2 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Hugh Bernreuter (September 25, 2015). "Former Midland star Walter fends off SVSU upset bid" . The Saginaw News – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Ferris State defense holds off Michigan Tech" . The Grand Rapids Press . October 25, 2015. p. C9 – via Newspapers.com .^ a b c "Michigan Tech Huskies 2016" . NCAA. Retrieved April 3, 2025 .^ Peter J. Wallner (September 13, 2016). "Ferris State edges Michigan Tech, ties record with 27th straight win" . The Grand Rapids Press . p. B3 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Hugh Bernreuter (October 4, 2016). "SVSU 17, Michigan Tech 16: Cardinals turn to big plays to pull out win" . The Bay City Times . p. B3 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Hugh Bernreuter (October 25, 2016). "Northwood 17, Michigan Tech 3: Defense leads Northwood to second win of the season" . The Bay City Time . p. B2 – via Newspapers.com . ^ a b c "Michigan Tech Huskies 2017" . NCAA. Retrieved April 3, 2025 .^ a b c "Michigan Tech Huskies 2018" . NCAA. Retrieved April 3, 2025 .^ "2019-20 Football" . Michigan Technological University . Retrieved July 21, 2024 .
