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HOUGHTON -- The Michigan Tech football team may have a few baseball players on the roster from years gone by, but today they turned a double play, accomplishing two tasks in one afternoon.

The Huskies hosted about 100 youngsters at a football clinic.  Players going into grades six, seven and eight learned the fundamentals.  Plus Tech held its media day.

Running back Phil Milbrath of Norway knows he has a bigger responsibility taking over for the injured Marvin Atkins.

"Marvin ended up getting hurt last spring and he would have been out most of this season.  So he's taken the season off.   Me and a few young running backs are trying to step up and take his place by doing the best we can for the team," says Milbrath.

"We've got a lot of young talent in the backfield.  Phil's (Milbrath) a really, really great young running back, and the guys behind him are just as good.  They worked hard in the off-season.  There's a lot of talent there, and they are ready to make plays," added MTU quarterback, Steve Short.

When asked about his defense, Head Coach Tom Kearly said, "Both of the starting inside linebackers, Sean Spellman and John Vanderlin; our free safety, who played a lot for us last year, David Carmody returns; defensive end, Drew Vanderlin, who we expect to have a break-out year, he's got a lot of ability.  We think he's a kid that could have a great career here."

Tech opens the season with three home contests:  Winona State on August 30, Hillsdale on September 6, and Ashland on September 13, followed by the NMU showdown Thursday, September 18, at the Superior Dome.