BLOG 51: Ferris defense unable to contain MTU’s powerful running attack

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State linebacker Jeff Hollandsworth tackles Michigan Tech quarterback Steve Short during Saturday’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game in Houghton at Sherman Field (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

HOUGHTON – Entering Saturday’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference road game at Michigan Tech, No. 25 Ferris State’s defense had been dog-tough against the run.

That was not the case in Houghton, Saturday, against the Huskies. Ferris had been stingy against the run surrendering just 90 yards per contest. But, at Tech, the Huskies came out with a focused game plan to run the football and executed that plan to near-flawless perfection. MTU totaled a staggering 259 rushing yards. A big part of that was Tech’s star running back, Phil Milbrath, who made a strong case for GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors as he rushed the ball 34 times for 202 yards with two touchdowns in the 21-7 upset victory over Ferris.

“That is kind of their game,” Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce replied when asked if he was surprised Tech came out with a game plan geared around running the football – early and often. “If they can come out and run the football against you, and you’re having trouble containing them, then that’s what they’re going to continue to do throughout the game.

“Their offensive line did a good job and they have an excellent running back that had a very good game,” added Pierce, who also credited the Huskies for their strength up front on the offensive line against a Bulldog front seven (led by All-American tackle Jake Visser and the three senior linebackers: Kevin Noe, Jordan Moore and Jeff Hollandsworth) that has been dominant most of the season – particularly against the run.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com