HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech football team is set to host U.P. rivals Northern Michigan for the 22nd installment of the Miner’s Cup Saturday slated for a 12:05 p.m. Eastern time kickoff at Kearly Stadium.

The two teams first met over a century ago, starting in the 1920 season and have faced off in 96 games. The Huskies earned their 50th win over the ‘Cats last season and control the series with a record of 50-41-5. The Black and Gold have also won 18 Miner’s Cup games since the tradition of the traveling trophy started in 2002 and will look to win its 14th straight this weekend.

Northern Michigan is coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss at the Superior Dome, falling to first-year GLIAC affiliate Roosevelt 16-10. NMU played to a winless record in 2024 at 0-7 overall and 0-3 in the GLIAC.

Michigan Tech looks to the rivalry game following back-to-back GLIAC losses, most recently falling to then-no. 4 nationally-ranked Ferris State, 51-13.

The Huskies are above .500 for the season with an overall record of 4-3 and a conference ledger of 1-2 in 2024.

Iron Mountain’s Dante Basanese paces MTU’s defense with 60 total tackles.

Basanese, a junior defensive back, has an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal during the 2024 campaign.

Also on the MTU roster are Nic Nora, a receiver from Kingsford who played in 10 games in 2023 but has been out this year with an injury; Matthew Colavecchi, a freshman receiver from Iron Mountain; Noah Johnson, a freshman defensive lineman from Kingsford; Bryce Pietrantonio, a junior fullback from Iron Mountain; Luke Gorzinski, a redshirt freshman receiver from North Central; Cole Myllyla, a redshirt freshman defensive back from Kingsford; Ian Popp, a freshman defensive back from Norway; Wyatt Scott, a freshman linebacker from Kingsford; and Wyatt Spade, a freshman receiver from Norway.

Kingsford’s Elizin Rouse has lined up in the NMU backfield throughout the season, rushing for 220 yards in 39 attempts, including a 77-yard touchdown run Sept. 14 at UW-LaCrosse.

Also on the NMU roster are Zach Person, a redshirt sophomore receiver from Kingsford, and Cardel Morton, a freshman receiver from Kingsford.

Saturday’s game will be aired locally on TV6, which began broadcasting the Tech versus NMU rivalry during the 2013-14 season.

Games are also streamed on FloSports.