HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies football team saw their season end in heartbreak Saturday in a 24-21 loss to the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals at Kearly Stadium.

After trailing most of the game, the Huskies took a four-point lead 21-17 with 6:18 remaining. On the ensuing drive, senior linebacker Porter Zeeman came up with two big plays, a sack for a loss of 13 yards and an interception.

With 1:53 remaining, the Huskies needed at least one first down to seal the win. Looking at a third and two, Michigan Tech was whistled for a false start, turning the third down into a third and seven.

After redshirt quarterback Alex Bueno failed to connect with senior tight end Drew Collins, the Huskies were forced to punt. Eleven plays and 75 yards later, the Cardinals crossed the goal line on a six-yard pass from Mason McKenzie to Braden Hill, which put Saginaw Valley ahead by three with eight seconds left.

Two pass attempts from Bueno later, the game was over.

“Obviously, you don’t ever want to end the season that way,” said Huskies coach Dan Mettlach. “Unbelievable group of seniors, many of them playing valuable minutes today, and you take the lead late, and then get beat that way. It’s tough for everybody.”

Defensively, senior defensive back Dante Basanese of Iron Mountain finished with 10 tackles.

Redshirt sophomore receiver Nic Nora of Kingsford scored MTU’s first touchdown of the game from two yards out after a pass interference set the Huskies up at the 2-yard line.

Tech ended the season 4-3 in the GLIAC and 7-4 overall.

For move coverage, go to https://www.mininggazette.com/sports/local-sports/2025/11/huskies-football-sees-season-end-on-late-touchdown/.