No. 14 Michigan Tech beats No. 12 Davenport 37-6

Michigan Tech secures 37-6 victory over No. 12 Davenport

The No. 12 Davenport Panthers failed to score a touchdown for the first time since November 2024, falling 37-6 to No. 14 Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan, according to a game recap from dupanthers.com. The contest, which served as a high-stakes matchup for postseason positioning in Super Region 3, saw the Huskies (8-2, 5-1) build a commanding 30-0 lead by halftime, effectively neutralizing a Davenport offense that had previously been a consistent scoring threat.

Inside the dmv super region how washington dc northern virginia and maryland became america most resilient metro economy cult

While the Panthers (8-2, 4-2) managed to avoid a shutout through two fourth-quarter field goals by Ian Jenkins, the statistical gap between the two sides was stark. Michigan Tech utilized an explosive offensive approach, averaging 8.2 yards per play and totaling 441 yards. In contrast, Davenport struggled to find rhythm, particularly following the absence of starting quarterback Jonathan Palmer. Backup quarterbacks James Young and Mac VandenHout split the snaps, with Young completing just one pass for three yards on nine attempts, while VandenHout went 5-for-6 for 49 yards.

The Huskies’ efficiency in the red zone proved to be the deciding factor in the lopsided result. Michigan Tech converted all three of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns, whereas Davenport reached the red zone three times but was forced to settle for field goals after the Huskies had already established a 37-0 cushion.

Explosive plays define the Huskies’ dominance

Michigan Tech’s offensive production was driven by versatile performances from Alex Bueno and Elliott Larner. Bueno completed 10-for-16 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yard strike to Nic Nora in the first quarter. Larner contributed both through the air and on the ground, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns, including a 42-yard scoring run early in the second quarter.

Davenport’s ground game, which had been a cornerstone of their season, saw a significant dip in efficiency. The Panthers rushed for 214 yards on 48 carries, but Cephus Harris was held to a season-low 66 yards on 19 attempts. James Young added 58 yards on 11 carries, but the team lacked the “big play” capability required to keep pace with the Huskies’ momentum.

Team	1st Qtr	2nd Qtr	3rd Qtr	4th Qtr	Final Score
Michigan Tech	10	20	7	0	37
Davenport	0	0	0	6	6

Defensive efforts struggle to contain momentum

Despite the scoreline, the Davenport defense recorded eight tackles for loss, led by Scott, who tallied six tackles and a forced fumble, and Bellamy, who recorded six tackles including two tackles for loss. However, the unit was unable to register a sack, marking the second time this season that the Panthers have failed to record a sack in a contest. This inability to disrupt the Huskies’ rhythm allowed Michigan Tech to maintain control throughout the three quarters where they scored.

Instagram

The fourth quarter saw a brief resurgence for the Panthers. Facing a 37-3 deficit, Davenport orchestrated a 65-yard drive on 12 plays, which ended with a 31-yard field goal from Jenkins. The drive included a 17-yard completion from Jack McKee to Kaleb Parrish and a 17-yard run by McKee. While the effort showed resilience, it was not enough to alter the outcome of a game that significantly impacts the Super Region 3 rankings.

The Panthers must now pivot quickly to prepare for their next matchup. Davenport is scheduled to host No. 23 Grand Valley State at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Caledonia, Mich.

Keep reading