Michigan Tech defensive back Hunter Buechel (3) attempts to wrap up a Wayne State ballcarrier during a game Saturday at Kearly Stadium in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With a 22-7 win last Saturday to keep Wayne State winless, the Michigan Tech Huskies won their fourth straight game. The Huskies remain home this weekend as they host Davenport at Kearly Stadium in Houghton.

Coach Dan Mettlach is proud of the way his team is performing right now, even if they are not getting all of the little details right yet.

“I said it after the game again last week, I love our way we’re playing, the toughness, the effort, the guys’ mental approach to it,” he said. “Obviously, when you put four in a row together, the thing that we preach a lot is good football teams get better from week to week. It’s not just trying to get to a plateau. We don’t feel like we’re where we need to be yet. Our guys don’t feel that way.

“So, we’re every single day coming to work trying to get to that next step. I think that’s what you need to do going through, especially our schedule, the league schedule, it’s only going to get harder from here. So, (I) love the way our guys are playing.”

While there are areas of the game that Mettlach and his staff want the Huskies to take care of, he is happy that the team is working to do just that.

“I think (Monday), when we went back and watched the film from the Wayne game,” Mettlach said, “the players even understand exactly what the coaches are trying to tell them in terms of what we got to get cleaned up, and where we’re hurting ourselves and so on and so forth. So, the guys have been very attentive to that part of it.

“I think the guys are buying into the approach of needing to get better. Nobody’s patting each other on the back, and we’re not where we need to be yet.”

If there is a position where things seem to be really close to being where Mettlach and offensive line coach Jack Rustman want them to be, it is on the line. Two weeks ago, the line protected sophomore running back Jake Rueff, who thanked them by rushing 20 times for 137 yards. Against the Warriors on Saturday, he rushed 23 times for 93 yards.

After the Wayne State game, both Mettlach and senior quarterback Alex Fries praised the growth of the line over the past few weeks.

“It starts with the effort, first and foremost,” said Mettlach. “I think Coach Rustman is doing a great job with getting the most out of those guys at the same time. I think there’s a better understanding from all five of them in terms of what we’re trying to do on whatever scheme we’re trying to run.

“I mentioned this going into the Bemidji game that we had three guys that have never really played college football, that were starting in that front five. So, as you’re going through the fall camp games, whatever it might be, developing that cohesiveness with those five guys, not only with playing right next to each other for the first time, but understanding who’s making calls on this double team, or where we’re trying to get to on this particular scheme, whatever it might be.

Mettlach mentioned that the biggest reason for the change in the line has simply been the fact that they are getting chances to work on their craft multiple times a day and a game.

“As much as we talk about the tailbacks needing reps making guys miss, or the ‘Q’ needing to be better with his eyes and pass progression, the guys up front need reps with everything that’s going on,” Mettlach said, “especially with the bodies that we’re seeing now, all the games that these teams play. They’re big, they’re fast, strong, and then you add on movements and so on and so forth. It’s not an easy thing to do. So, that takes repetition. The guys have bought into that. We’re consistently getting better up front.

“Again, I would put them in the same category as everybody else in terms of we’re not where we want to be yet, but at the same time, they’ve got a lot of pride in getting that part fixed, and (have) done a nice job since Week One to where we are right now. Now it’s just continuing to move forward.”

With the improved play of the offensive line, the Huskies have been able to work in freshman quarterback Alex Bueno, who gives the offense a little different look when he takes the field. Mettlach feels Bueno just adds to what the eHuskies already do well.

“It’s nothing that has to do with the way Alex Fries is playing,” said Mettlach. “‘AB’ is too talented to stand on the sideline for an entire fall. So, you’re seeing it more and more in college football. There’s more systems that have two ‘Qs’ now. Ten years ago the saying was, ‘If you have two, you don’t have one.’ I think that’s kind of a thing of the past now.

“If there’s a way we can get Alex in with as dynamic as he is with the feet, that gives a little bit more that a defense not only has to prepare for, but they have to defend it as well. It’s a way to get him involved, and get a little bit more speed (and) athleticism on the field at times to where they have to account for all 11 rather than just 10.”

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

Saturday, the Davenport Panthers come to Houghton 3-2 on the season after a loss to No. 2 Grand Valley State last Saturday. In fact, both Panthers losses this season have been to teams in the Top 11.

The Panthers feature a pair of quarterbacks in junior Mike O’Horo and fifth-year D’Wan Mathis. O’Horo has been better through the air, going 49-for-90 for 652 yards and six touchdowns. Mathis is third on the team in rushing with 27 carries for 97 yards.

Senior running back Myren Harris drives the offense from the backfield with 60 carries for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Harris has also been involved in the passing game with 166 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Through the air, senior wide receiver Preston Smith has been solid with 17 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns.

GAME TIME

The Huskies and Panthers are set to start at 12 p.m. Saturday at Kearly Stadium.