KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — The Michigan Tech football kicked off its season Thursday night with a 20-10 nonconference victory at Truman State.

“I think the key thing for us tonight was our ability to successfully run the football,” Michigan Tech head coach Steve Olson said in a release from the university. “It set up our play action passing game which resulted in us being able to move the ball consistently.”

The Huskies took the opening drive 77 yards, eating up more than half of the first quarter, before kicking a 21-yard field goal by freshman Eric Zeboor.

Following a tying field goal, Truman State’s Jordan Siegel returned an interception 35 yards for the Bulldogs’ only lead, 10-3.

Tech tied it thanks to a trick play as Will Ark lateraled to junior Ben Hartley, who threw a 67-yard TD pass to Jacob Wenzlick for a 10-10 tie with 5:58 left in the first half.

The Huskies took the lead for good following an MTU interception by Travis Tidwell that set up a 20-yard Zeboor field goal at halftime.

Another long drive provided the final points late in the third quarter when Ark connected with Ben Hartley on a 13-yard TD pass.

Tech had 372 yards offense, 146 on the ground and 226 through the air.

MTU plays its home opener at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, against former GLIAC member Hillsdale.