Michigan Tech senior linebacker Chase Koch and junior kicker Avery Kucharski earned GLIAC Football Players of the Week after powering the Huskies' 48-27 win over Midwestern State.
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the honors Tuesday, Sept. 8. Koch, whose last name is pronounced "Cook," took Defensive Player of the Week. Kucharski earned Special Teams Player of the Week.
Koch ended the Mustangs' second drive with a first-quarter interception. He picked them off again in the second quarter and returned it 34 yards, setting up the Huskies' second touchdown. He finished with 10 tackles, two for loss, a sack and two interceptions. Through two games, Koch leads Michigan Tech with 21 tackles.
Kucharski hit a 51-yard field goal as the first-half clock expired, tying a school record set by Doug Furnstahl on Oct. 17, 1978, at Moorhead State. He added a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter, hit four extra points, punted three times for a 40-yard average and averaged 60.9 yards on seven kickoffs. Through two games, Kucharski is 3-for-4 on field goals and has scored 15 points.
The two honorees anchored a dominant team effort in the Saturday, Sept. 5, home opener at Kearly Stadium in Houghton. Quarterback Elliott Larner threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 85 yards and two more scores. Jake Rueff ran for 113 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns. The Huskies forced five turnovers. It was Michigan Tech's sixth straight home-opening win.
Head coach Dan Mettlach said after the Sept. 5 victory: "Chase's two interceptions were critical to our success, and Avery has the leg talent. It was impressive for him to come back after missing an early field goal to hit that one from 51."
The No. 20 Huskies (2-0) travel to Emporia, Kansas, on Saturday, Sept. 12, to face No. 24 Emporia State (2-0) at the new Blackcreek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium. The Hornets earned their first AFCA Top 25 ranking since November 2024 after knocking off then-No. 10 Pittsburg State 21-10, according to WIBW. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Eastern.
