Jan 19, 2025, 6:00 PM UTC
Dream Bowl
2024 South Dakota Mines vs Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech Football Prevails In Longest Game In Program History | Recap

Michigan Tech Football Prevails In Longest Game In Program History | Recap

Michigan Tech football rallied behind experienced quarterback and receivers to overcome 21 point deficit against South Dakota Mines.

Sep 6, 2024 by Annika Kandadai
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Despite trailing by as much as 21 throughout this game, the Michigan Tech Football survive 52-50 in triple overtime, winning not only their first home game, but their first game of the season, improving their record to 1-1. Despite showing significant improvement offensively from the previous week, the visiting South Dakota Mines fall to 0-2 to start the season. 

Despite taking a while, nearly the whole first half, for the offense to get going for Michigan Tech, quarterback Alex Fries finished 29-of-51 with 2 interceptions, throwing for 457 yards. 

After a shaky showing last week, Jake Martinelli absolutely showed out in Week 2, finishing 39-of-61 with 1 interception, throwing for 443 yards. In a hard fought game that came down to the last seconds, the more seasoned home team was able to pull it out in the longest game in program history.

Both teams will be playing at their respective home fields next week with the Hardrockers hosting Upper Iowa and the Huskies hosting Hillsdale. 

Below is a replay of the game.

2024 South Dakota Mines vs Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech Fights Back, Wins 52-50 In Triple Overtime

Alex Fries connects with Ethan Champney for the two point conversion to kick off triple overtime. Then the defense comes up with a huge stand with Hunter Buechel breaking up Martinelli's pass intended for Max Hoaston.

South Dakota Mines Stays Calm, Ties It At 50

With Martinelli connecting with Max Hoatson and Alex Sturn, the Hardrockers tie it up after trailing for the first time all night, sending the game into triple overtime.

Michigan Tech Goes Back To Back

Michigan Tech scores first in double overtime as they have to defend their end zone to get their first win of the season. With a two point conversion, they now put even more pressure on first year quarterback Jake Martinelli to execute in his first road game. 

Michigan Tech Strikes Back, Ties It At 42

Alex Fries and Ethan Champney connect again to stay alive in their first home game.

Despite Late Offensive Struggles, SDM Scores In Overtime 

Jake Martinelli finds Colton Grover again to put the Hardrockers on the board in overtime first as Alex Fries and the Huskies hope to even the score again.

End Of Fourth Quarter: South Dakota Mines, 35 - Michigan Tech, 35

The Hardrockers will have possession of the ball first as overtime begins.

SDM Misses The 55 Yarder As Game Remains Tied

Connor Taylor's 55 yard field goal attempt is no good as time expires. 

With 23 Seconds Left, South Dakota Mines Starts Their Final Drive

Michigan Tech turns it over on downs at the South Dakota Mines 30 yard line as the Hardrockers look to get within scoring range.

Jake Martinelli Interception Cuts SDM Drive Short

Jake Martinelli who has played remarkably well in his second ever start, going 30/49 for almost 400 yards has his pass intercepted by Jared, Tarrance at the MTU 29 yard line.

Michigan Tech Ties It With Four To Go

Drew Collins runs it in with a little under five minutes as Michigan Tech slowly has chipped away at Soouth Dakota Mines's lead, typing the game up at 35.

South Dakota Mines Goes On A Five Minute Drive But Unable To Score

SDM bled about five minutes of clock despite not scoring as Michigan Tech attempts to tie the game once again.

Kaleb Tischier Helps The Hardrockers Keep Their Lead

An interception on the South Dakota Mines 21 yard line gives the Hardrockers the ball back with another chance to extend their lead. 

South Dakota Mines Fails To Extend The Lead

The Huskies force a three and out, taking over at their own 37 yard line with 13:42 left to play as they look to tie the game.

4th Quarter Starts With A Michigan Tech Score

Michigan Tech cuts the lead down to one score with a 59 yard touchdown pass to Ethan Champney.

End Of The Third: SDM Punts While Holding Onto A 14 Point Lead 

With 15 minutes left to play, South Dakota Mines holds onto their 35-21 lead.

A Three And Out Sends Michigan Tech Back On Offense

The Michigan Tech defense handles the Hardrockers offense, forcing them to punt, but the Husky offense is unable to get much going as they also punt. 

Quick Turnover Touchdown Makes It South Dakota Mines, 35 - Michigan Tech, 21

Jake Martinelli is sacked at the 3 yard line allowing Asher Gregory to run it in for his first ever touchdown as Michigan Tech cuts the lead back to 14.

Michigan Tech Forced To Punt

South Dakota Mines holds onto their 21 point lead as they force a 3 and out and look to extend their lead. 

High Scoring Start To The Third Quarter, SDM 35, MT 14

The Hardrockers retaliate quickly with Dawson Dunbar scores the first rushing touchdown of the day for South Dakota Mines. 

Quick Score For The Huskies

A quick Michigan drive ends in Alex Fries finding Drew Collins in the end zone to cut the lead back down to 14 as Michigan Tech now trails 28-14. 

South Dakota Mines Starts The Second Half Strong

Four quick plays have the Hardrockers up 28-7 less than two minutes into the second half.

Michigan Tech Turns It Over To Start The Second Half

While Michigan Tech started the half with the ball, Elrey Brooks III quickly intercepted Alex Fries's first pass of the second half to give South Dakota Mines possession. 

Halftime Comparisions

There are definitely some notable numbers when it comes to the score difference. While there is only a 4 yard difference when it comes to passing yards, South Dakota Mines has 54 rushing yards while Michigan Tech is sitting at -14. Michigan Tech has also lost one fumble and has only been able to convert once on third down.

End of the Half: Hardrockers 21, Huskies 7

Three incomplete passes have the Huskies punting the ball as time expires. The Hardrockers still lead by 14 on the road despite some second quarter success by the Michigan Tech Huskies.

Quick Three And Out For SDM As Second Quarter Winds Down

Michigan Tech looks to generate something before halftime with less than a minute left after South Dakota Mines fails to convert on three running plays.

Huge Turnover Helps Hardrockers

The Huskies were marching down the field, looking to cut the lead down to seven, but a costly fumble gives South Dakota Mines the ball back with just over a minute left in the half. 

Michigan Tech Has All The Momentum

Despite trailing 21-7,  Darius Willis's huge fourth down catch followed by a quick 3 and out has put the Huskies right back into the game as they look to continue chipping away at the South Dakota Mines lead.

Darius Willis Puts The Huskies On The Board

A huge fourth down pass from Alex Fries to Darius Willis has the Michigan Tech Huskies finding the end zone as they strike back, cutting the deficit back to 14.

Hardrockers Continue To Roll, Extend Lead To 21

Jake Martinelli continues to shine as he finds Colton Grover in the endzone for his third passing touchdown of the night. He is now 16/22 and has thrown for over 200 yards only halfway into the second quarter.

Husky Drives Shows Promise But Still Scoreless

While Alex Fries began to connect with receivers and Michigan Tech was able to quickly make their way down to the 8 yard line, they were unable to convert and ended the drive on a missed 25 yard field goal.

Huge Third Down Stop For The Huskies

Michigan Tech is able to stop South Dakota Mines on 3rd and 6 two minutes into the second quarter as they regain possession and look to find offensive momentum.

End Of The First Quarter: South Dakota Mines 14, Michigan Tech, 0

As the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers start off yet another quick, the first quarter comes to a close. 

Huskies Continue To Struggle Offensively

Yet another 3 and out forced by the strong South Dakota Mines defense as Alex Fries and the Huskies struggle to gain any sort of rhythm.

Michigan Tech Forces A Punt

The Huskies are able to slow down the Hardrockers momentum slightly as they force a punt and get back on offense from their own 12 yard line.

Michigan Tech Drive Stalls

Despite a 60 yard kickoff return, Michigan Tech is unable to find offensive success as they miss a 40 yard field goal and turn the ball back over. 

South Dakota Mines Scores Again, Now Lead 14-0

Jake Martinelli finds Holden Gilbert in the endzone as the Hardrockers continue to find early success.

South Dakota Mines Defense Starts Strong

The Hardrockers force a quick 3 and out as Michigan Tech punts. South Dakota Mines will start their drive from their own 28 yard line.

No Nerves for QB Jake Martinelli As SDM Strikes First

Jake Martinelli goes 3/4 for the first drive as South Dakota Mines marches down the field and gets on the board first less than two minutes into the game. Connor Taylor's kick is good as the Hardrockers lead 7-0

South Dakota Mines Football vs Michigan Tech is now live!

Follow along as the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers and Michigan Tech Huskies hunt for their first victory of the season.

South Dakota Mines will start with the ball.

Special Teams Making A Difference For The Hardrockers

While South Dakota Mines struggled to get going offensively last week against CSU Pueblo, quarterback Jake Martinelli did slowly settle down in his first ever career start. However, the definite bright spot for South Dakota Mines was their performance on defense and special teams. Kaleb Tischler shone while punting and playing safety, leading the team with 8 tackles and averaging 43.1 yards per punt, with 3 over 50 yards. Kicker, Connor Taylor, continues to break school records, now sitting in second place for career points and eight shy of the all time record for successful field goals with 25.

Early Offensive Success For The Huskies

The Huskies fell in a tough overtime loss on the road against No. 20/25 Bemidji State to kick off the season, but the offense shone in the affair. Quarterback Alex Fries continued right where he left off last season when he ranked second in the GLIAC in passing yards and touchdowns. His top receiving option from a season ago, Darius Willis, really made an impression with with 148 yards. 

South Dakota Mines Football Schedule 2024

All times Central

  • Sept. 5: at Michigan Tech, 5 p.m.
  • Sept. 14: vs Upper Iowa, 1 p.m.
  • Sept. 21: vs New Mexico Highlands, 2 p.m.
  • Sept. 28: at Fort Lewis, 3 p.m.
  • Oct. 5: at Black Hills State, 6 p.m.
  • Oct. 12: at Colorado School of Mines, 1 p.m.
  • Oct. 19: at Western Colorado, 2 p.m.
  • Nov. 2: at Chadron State, 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 9: vs. Colorado Mesa, 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 16: at Adams State, 2 p.m.

Michigan Tech Football Schedule 2024

All times Central

  • Sept. 5: vs. South Dakota Mines, 5 p.m. 
  • Sept. 14: vs Hillsdale, 11 a.m. 
  • Sept. 21: at Wisconsin-Oshkosh , 12 p.m.
  • Oct. 5: vs Wayne State, 11 a.m.
  • Oct.12: vs Davenport, 11 a.m.
  • Oct.19: at Ferris State, 12 p.m.
  • Oct. 26: vs Northern Michigan, 11 a.m.
  • Nov. 2:  at Roosevelt, 12 p.m.
  • Nov. 9: vs Grand Valley State, 11 a.m.
  • Nov. 16: at Saginaw Valley State, 12 p.m.

South Dakota Mines Football Roster For 2024

Fans can find the Hardrockers' roster here.

Michigan Tech Football Roster For 2024

Fans can find the Huskies' roster here. 

How To Watch The South Dakota Mines vs. Michigan Tech Football Stream

The game is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app at 6 p.m. EST. Highlights, replays and breaking news will be available on both platforms. 

South Dakota Mines vs Michigan Tech Football Kickoff Time

Kickoff time is set for 6 p.m. ET at Kearly Stadium on the Michigan Tech campus.

When Do The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs Start?

The playoffs begin on Nov. 23 and end on Dec. 21 at District Stadium in McKinney, Texas. 

NCAA Division II Football 2023 Final Rankings

  1. Harding (Ark.) 15-0
  2. Colorado School of Mines 14-1
  3. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 11-2
  4. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 13-2
  5. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 11-2
  6. Central Missouri 11-2
  7. Kutztown (Pa.) 12-3
  8. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 12-2
  9. Ferris St. (Mich.) 8-3
  10. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 12-2
  11. Delta St. (Miss.) 10-2
  12. Benedict (S.C.) 11-1
  13. Augustana (S.D.) 11-2
  14. Tiffin (Ohio) 11-1
  15. Western Colorado 10-2
  16. Bemidji St. (Minn.) 9-3
  17. Central Washington 9-4
  18. Texas-Permian Basin 10-2
  19. Charleston (W.Va.) 10-2
  20. Virginia Union 10-2
  21. Minnesota St. 9-3
  22. Indianapolis (Ind.) 9-2
  23. West Florida 8-4
  24. Henderson St. (Ark.) 9-3
  25. Minnesota-Duluth 9-2

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