The 2024 GLIAC football season continues Saturday, with four games on the Week 3 schedule.
Two of the conference’s three remaining undefeated teams will meet in University Center, Mich., where Saginaw Valley State (5-1, 2-0 GLIAC) squares off with No. 2 Grand Valley State (6-0, 2-0 GLIAC) in the Battle of the Valleys (3 p.m.). The Lakers boast the nation’s No. 3-ranked rushing offense (301.8 ypg). The Cardinals, who haven’t defeated GVSU since 2012, are ranked No. 23 in this week’s D2football.com poll.
No. 4 Ferris State (5-1, 2-0 GLIAC), the league’s other unbeaten team, is home in Week 7, hosting Michigan Tech (4-2, 1-1 GLIAC) at 1 p.m. at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. The Bulldogs, who have won five straight, are led by the conference’s top rated passer, junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (148.2). The Huskies are fronted by senior quarterback Alex Fries, the GLIAC’s leader in passing yards (1,455) and touchdowns (14).
Davenport (4-2, 1-1 GLIAC) will look to keep pace in the race for the GLIAC title, hosting Wayne State (0-6, 0-2 GLIAC) in a 2 p.m. Homecoming game at The Farm in Caledonia.
Northern Michigan (0-6, 0-2 GLIAC) and Roosevelt (0-5, 0-2 GLIAC) clash in the Superior Dome in Marquette on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Lakers’ offense features one of the conference’s top big-play pass catchers in Keonta Nixon. He averages a GLIAC-best 26.0 yards per catch.
WEEK 7 SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Roosevelt vs Northern Michigan
SERIES HISTORY:
This will be the first ever meeting between the Lakers and Wildcats as both teams search for their first win this season.
Roosevelt Notes
SETTING THE SCENE: Roosevelt once again could not overcome a slow start in a 27-14 setback at home against Saginaw Valley State last week. The Lakers had their first game without a turnover in more than two years against the Cardinals, and even blocked a punt in the third quarter. They hit the road for the long trek to the Upper Peninsula to face one of the two other GLIAC teams without a win this season.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: It’s been a rough start to Shane Richardson’s tenure at his alma mater as Northern Michigan has lost 17 straight games thus far. The Wildcats started off GLIAC play with a 63-14 drubbing at the hands of Saginaw Valley State then went to Grand Valley State and lost 49-17. Northern Michigan ranks last in the league in scoring defense, total defense and total offense. The Wildcats have had a lot more success on the ground than through the air this season, but still average just 244.7 yards per game. Northern Michigan has by far the worst passing offense in the league at less than 100 yards per game and boasts the worst pass defense, allowing more than 280 yards per game. However, the Wildcats have allowed a GLIAC-low three sacks so far this season through three games. Aidan Hoard is completing just 37.5 percent of his passes and tossed five interceptions to four touchdowns. Michael Love is the team’s leading receiver with 18 catches for 341 yards, more than five times more yards than anyone else on the team. Jahi Wood’s 361 yards on 85 carries are both team highs, but there is a little more depth in the Wildcats’ backfield with Elizin Rouse (35 carries for 211 yards) and Nico Lukkarinen(46 rushes for 141 yards). Mitch Larkin leads the team with 44 tackles, but Chance Bridgers and Jax Hertel are the two main playmakers in the front seven for the Wildcats. Bridgers leads the team with two sacks while Hertel has six tackles for loss among his 33 stops. Three different players have an interception, but Northern Michigan has recovered just two of the seven fumbles it has forced this season.
MCKEON TAKES CHARGE: Roosevelt head coach Jared Williamson will miss the rest of the 2024 season after suffering a lower-body injury on a collision during the Lakers’ game at Ferris State on October 5. Defensive coordinator Bill McKeon will be the gameday coach for Roosevelt for the rest of the season while assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator CJ Davis will handle the day-to-day operations of the program. Williamson is expected to make a full recovery and be back on the sidelines again for the Lakers in time for spring practice.
BIG PLAY NIXON: Keonta Nixon has rewritten the Roosevelt record book during his short time with the Lakers. He broke the single-game receiving record in last season’s finale, then re-broke it last month against Valparaiso. The junior caught eight passes for 209 yards against the Beacons, including a record-breaking 97-yard touchdown. Nixon was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Valpo. Nixon has caught nine touchdown passes in 13 games for Roosevelt, but he’s been an exceptional deep-play threat. Four of his last five touchdowns were at least 60 yards in length, including all three of his scores this season. He had an 84- yard touchdown against UW Whitewater before scoring on a record 97-yard play against Valparaiso. He followed that up against Saginaw Valley State last week with a 62- yard touchdown catch. He’s made an early impression on the GLIAC as well, leading the league in receiving yards per game and yards per reception. Through five games, Nixon’s 546 receiving yards are on pace to set a new school record for receiving yards in a season and yards per reception in a season.
THE NEXT LEVEL: Roosevelt’s linebackers have been the heart and soul of the Lakers’ defense this season. The starting trio of Jacob Bellizzi, Deven Jarvis and Jaylen Olokun are three of the top-four tacklers on the team and they are the only three with two or more tackles-for-loss. Olokun leads the team with 31 tackles, including six for a loss, while Jarvis has 27 tackles, four for a loss, with an interception and forced fumble to his credit. Bellizzi has made just three of his 28 tackles behind the line of scrimmage but has been credited with two pass breakups.
CLEANING IT UP: After struggling with penalties in the first three weeks of the season, Roosevelt has made major strides in playing a cleaner game. The Lakers have committed just six penalties for 34 yards in two GLIAC contests, the fewest in the league through the first two weeks of conference action.
THE BIG LEG: Mauricio Escudero has been a gamechanger for the Lakers in the kicking game this season. The junior has made five field goals this season, the first kicker in five years to make that many in a season. However, the highlight of the season for the transfer from Mesa College came against Valparaiso last month. Escudero was the first kicker since the program took on the Roosevelt name to make multiple field goals in a game and fell just one field goal shy of the program record for makes in a game. Escudero’s 44-yarder in overtime was also the first time a Roosevelt kicker has made a field goal from beyond 40 yards in three years. For his efforts, he was named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week, the first specialist to earn that honor for the Lakers since 2019 when Omar Beltran was a weekly award winner at Robert Morris (Ill.).
Northern Michigan Notes
Last Time Out
Northern Michigan was downstate last Saturday to take on the nation’s number two team Grand Valley State in a night clash under the lights at Lubbers Stadium. The Wildcats fell 49-17. The game was one of the most run-dominant games you will see with heavy rain throughout the night, as there were just five completions in the entire contest. The run games were looked to early and often, with NMU gaining 206 yards and GVSU rushing for 288. Vince Martin paced the ground attack for the Green and Gold with a career high 82 yards and a score. Elizin Rouse (55) and Jahi Wood (48) each found moments of success running the rock, while Tucker Welch also found the endzone on 16 yards.
Cat Nips
• The Green and Gold field is one of the youngest teams in the nation, with 42 of 96 (43.8%) of the roster consisting of first-year players. Underclassmen makeup 68 of the 96 (70.8%) roster spots. • Freshman Jahi Wood (361) is 5th in the conference in rushing while Elizin Rouse (211) is ninth. Nico Lukkarinen (141) and Vince Martin (94) are ranked 21st and 22nd. Lukkarinen’s 3 TD runs rank in the top-10 in the conference. The Wildcats have the 4th best rushing attack in the league at 149.0 yards/game. • Mitch Larkin is currently 3rd in the GLIAC with 44 tackles. Larkin paced the conference last season with 118. • Michael Love is tied for 2nd in the conference with 4 TD catches this season. His two touchdown catches against UW-La Crosse marked the first time a Wildcat receiver found the endzone twice in a game since September 24, 2022, when Wyatt Davis went for two scores on Homecoming in a 42-14 win over Post. He is 4th in the GLIAC with 341 receiving yards. • NMU’s 269 yards on the ground at UW-La Crosse earlier this year marked its best ground effort since the 2018 season. • Michael Karlen is 5-5 on FG’s and 12-12 on PAT’s so far this season.
A Look at Roosevelt
The newest member of the GLIAC, the Lakers enter the weekend at 0-5 in their first season of Division II. Roosevelt is coming off a close battle at home last weekend against Saginaw Valley State where they fell 27-14. Roosevelt ranks 3rd in the conference averaging 226.0 passing yards/game. QB Carson Budke has thrown for 1,130 yards this year, with 5 TD’s and 5 INT’s. Keonta Nixon has been his top target, as his 546 yards are 2nd in the conference while he’s found the endzone three times. The Lakers are ranked last in the GLIAC on the ground, averaging just 61.2 yards/game. They are the least penalized team in the league with just 21 infractions this season.
Michigan Tech vs Ferris State
Michigan Tech Notes
THE GOAL LINE
• It’s the 102nd year of Michigan Tech Football • Dan Mettlach returns for his second season at the helm of the Huskies • All home and conference games will be broadcast on Flofootball. • The Huskies were tabbed to finish fifth in the GLIAC Coaches’ Poll. • It’s the 50th year reunion of the undefeated 1974 team. • Michigan Tech welcomes backs Jace Daniels as the Tight Ends coach. • Head coach Dan Mettlach has named Alex Fries, Hunter Buechel, Marc Sippel and Brandon DeVries as the captains for the 2024 season • The Huskies All-time reception leader Darius Willis has broken the career reception yards record, and the reception touchdowns record this season. • Quarterback Alex Fries broke the school record for single game passing yards (471) and five touchdowns in the 4OT 52- 50 win vs. South Dakota Mines on Thursday Night. He was also named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. • Darius is atop the conference in receiving touchdowns (6) and second in receiving yards (508). • Senior quarterback Alex Fries sits atop the league in passing touchdowns (14), passing yards (1,455) and passing yards per game (242.5). He earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 1 • Michigan Tech junior defensive back Dante Basanese has been named Week Five GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week. The honor is the first of his career and the second defensive player of the week this season for the Huskies.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Ferris State, the GLIAC preseason favorite, resides second in the league and is currently riding a five-game unbeaten streak for an overall record of 5-1 and a 2-0 ledger in the loop. The Bulldogs have been among the top seven in the national polls all season and have been steady at the No. 4 spot three weeks running. The Bulldogs are coming off an interesting win over Wayne State that started at 6 p.m. Saturday and due to lightning and weather in the Motor City, was halted midway through the second quarter and resumed at 11 a.m. on Sunday, seeing the Bulldogs prevail over the winless Warriors, 27-14. FSU is one of the best in Division II in controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball averaging almost 250 rushing yards on offense while holding the opposition to under 65 yards on the ground. Both rank seventh in the country. Junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has thrown for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 215 yards per game. Chambliss, a three time GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week also leads the Bulldogs on the ground, packaging 43.2 rushing yards per game, totaling 259 yards and seven touchdowns. Six receivers are averaging over two receptions a game with Emari O’Brien (258 yards) and Cam Underwood (241 yards) leading the way adding two touchdowns. Defensively, the Bulldogs hold opponents to under 10 points a game (9.8). Three players have over 25 total tackles this season led by Michael Edwards (18 solo tackles, 12 assisted). The Bulldogs have accounted for 11 interceptions with defensive back Jalen Jones producing a team-leading three interceptions.
Ferris State Notes
This Week’s Action
The Ferris State University Bulldogs host the Michigan Tech Huskies this Saturday, Oct. 19, at Top Taggart Field in GLIAC play. The Bulldogs are coming off a lightning-delayed 27-14 road win at Wayne State this past weekend in a game that began on Saturday evening and concluded on Sunday. FSU has now outscored the opposition 265-40 over the past five games this campaign. The Bulldogs have made a nation-leading nine consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs entering the year, including back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022.
The Matchup
Michigan Tech is off to a 4-2 start this season and the Huskies are 1-1 in the GLIAC after a 24-20 home setback to Davenport last week. A year ago, Michigan Tech compiled a 5-5 mark and went 1-5 in conference action under head coach Dan Mettlach, who is now in his second year at the helm. The Huskies are presently 3-1 at home this year and 1-1 in road games to date entering Saturday’s tilt.
National Rankings
Ferris State was a consensus #3 team nationally in both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D2Football.com preseason national polls. This week, the Bulldogs currently sit fourth in the AFCA D2 poll along with fifth in the D2Football.com national rankings.
Nine-Straight Playoff Berths
The Bulldogs, who began their 115th season of varsity competition this fall, have made a nation-leading nine consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. FSU made six-straight NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal appearances from 2016-22 and was one of only four teams in all of college football to win at least 11 games for eight-straight years prior to last season.
Great Bulldog Stretch
The Bulldogs reached the NCAA DII National Championship game for the first time in school history in 2018, matching an all-time NCAA record with 15 victories (15-1). Over the two seasons of action in 2018 and 2019, not counting 2020 in which FSU did not play due to COVID-19, the Bulldogs were a combined 27-2 overall. FSU is now 68-7 in the last six seasons on the field including this year.
Saturday’s Matchup
Over the years, the Ferris State and Michigan Tech gridiron series has been one of the GLIAC’s best. The all-time series is tied 34-34-4, but the Bulldogs are on a current 11-game winning streak during the Tony Annese era. FSU pulled out a thrilling 30-28 victory at MTU’s Sherman Field in Houghton in 2016 before handling the Huskies in the regular-season finale on a snowy field in 2017 in the Upper Peninsula. In 2018, the Bulldogs topped the Huskies 42-24 at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park before the ‘Dawgs won again in Houghton by a decisive 52-0 score in the regular-season finale in 2019, which also came on a wintry day in mid-November. Three years ago, Ferris State topped MTU in 2021 in Houghton by a 38-10 count before a 28-20 home win in 2022 in Big Rapids. The Bulldogs captured a 35-21 road win last season in 2023. The 2022 contest marked MTU’s first visit to Top Taggart Field since 2015 when FSU prevailed 24-14 in a tightly-contested contest. The Bulldogs have made eight road trips across the Mackinac Bridge in the last 11 seasons. Overall, the Bulldogs have hosted the Huskies only four times at FSU’s Top Taggart Field since 2006.
Memorable Bulldog Run
Over the last decade, the Bulldogs have compiled a 113-14 overall record and claimed two national titles, five conference championships, posted five unbeaten regular-seasons, captured five regional titles and reached the national quarterfinals six times. Ferris State has also accumulated three Harlon Hill National Player of the Year trophies, twice had a student-athlete tabbed as the nation’s National Scholar-Athlete of the Year and won 20 postseason games in addition to an appearance in the 2018, 2021 and 2022 NCAA D2 National Championship Games.
Wayne State vs Davenport
ALL-TIME SERIES
In their short series history, the Warriors and Panthers have split their competitions 3-3 with the scoring differential being +2 for Davenport (144- 146). Wayne State is 3-1 in contests played in Caledonia.
Wayne State Notes
GAME STORYLINES
The Wayne State University football team is back on the road to compete at Davenport this Saturday with a 2 p.m. kickoff in Caledonia. The Panthers enter week seven with a 4-2 overall record, and a 1-1 mark in the GLIAC. The Warriors will look to take the lead in the all-time series, which is even at three games apiece against DU. WSU has lost eight consecutive games dating back to last season, with six losses against ranked opponents, including three setbacks vs. top-10 teams.
SCOUTING DAVENPORT
The Panthers (4-2) are ranked 40th in the nation this week by the AFCA. In GLIAC play, DU is 1-1 with a loss to No. 2-Grand Valley State, and a win at Michigan Tech last Saturday. Sparky McEwen is in his eighth season at the helm for the Panthers. In his time as head coach, McEwen compiled a 37-35 overall record. In 2022, the veteran head coach led Davenport to an NCAA Division II playoff berth and was named GLIAC Coach of the Year. Mike O’Horo and D’Wan Mathis are the main signal callers for the Panthers. The two have combined for 1,166 passing yards and eight touchdowns. O’Horo has passed for 680 yards on 53-of-100, while Mathis has compiled 486 passing yards with 40 completions on 68 attempts. Both quarterbacks are new additions to the team as O’Horo, a redshirt junior, joined the squad after spending three seasons with Saginaw Valley State (2021-23). Mathis, a fifth-year senior, spent time with both the University of Georgia, and Temple University prior to joining the Panthers. Preston Smith is the team leader in receiving yards (224) and touchdown receptions (3). Smith is tied for second in receptions with running back Myren Harris (20). Kendall Williams has hauled in the most passes for the Panthers this year (21). Harris is leading the way for the Panthers on the ground. The redshirt senior has rushed 81 times for 349 and two scores this year, while being a threat in the passing game as well. The Clinton Township, Mich. native garnered GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year honors for his success in 2023.
PLAYING OVER TWO DAYS
In a search of the Detroit Junior College/Colleges of the City of Detroit (CCD)/ Wayne University/Wayne State University historical record book, it is believed the game last weekend was the first in program history to be suspended and completed the following day. FSU led 10-0 near the mid-point of the second quarter when play was halted on Saturday evening due to lightning and the contest was resumed on Sunday at 11 a.m.
BEND BUT DON’T BREAK DEFENSE
The 27 points scored by Ferris State last Saturday/Sunday at WSU was its lowest ouput since the 2024 season opener at Pittsburg State, and only the fourth time in the last 19 games the Bulldogs were held below 28 points (2023 vs. Grand Valley State and Montana). RECOVERING FUMBLES Through six weeks, Wayne State has forced seven fumbles and has been able to recover five. Senior linebacker, Carl Ware is tied-for-third among active Division II players averaging 0.24 forced fumbles per game (four in 17 career Division II games). The Warriors are tied for first in the GLIAC and rank 25th nationally in fumble recoveries with five.
EDWARDS SETTING QUARTERBACK STANDARD FOR RUSHING
Champion Edwards rushed for 146 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries against Findlay in week two. He became the first WSU quarterback with a 100-yard rushing effort since Doug Griffin rushed for 112 yards at Michigan Tech on Nov. 16, 2013. The previous 100-yard games by a signal caller were when Randy Hutchison gained 116 on the ground at Michigan Tech on Oct. 19, 2002, and 101 vs. Gannon on Aug. 30, 2003. It is believed to be the most rushing yards in a game by a WSU quarterback since Ed Skowneski rushed for 203 yards on Oct. 4, 1975, against Valparaiso.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
Through mid-October, WSU has played the eighth toughest schedule in D2 with past opponents having a .667 winning percentage (20-10). Future opponents have a .517 winning percentage (15-14), while the composite strength of schedule (35-24, .593) is eighth nationally
Davenport Notes
DU LOOKS TO REMAIN UNBEATEN ON HOMECOMING
● The Panthers have always enjoyed playing for their fans on Homecoming and enter this week’s contest against Wayne State with a 7-0 all-time record on Homecoming Saturday. This will be the first time that Davenport will host the Warriors on Homecoming. Last season’s homecoming game was a 28-12 win over Northern Michigan. DU gained 466 total yards in the contest and Myren Harris rushed for 141 yards and a score. ● Davenport had the scheduling quirk of having to play three times in the last four years at Michigan Tech last week. It did not faze them as they picked up a critical 24-20 win to improve to 4-0 on the road this season. Since the beginning of 2022, DU is now 10-3 on the road. The Panthers got a big game from Antjuan Collins and D’Wan Mathis. Collins returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to break the school record and had a 51-yard touchdown catch from Mathis. He threw for his first two touchdowns at DU and finished 14-of-21 passing for 171 yards. ● The Warriors have had one of the toughest schedules in NCAA Division II this season. It ranks as the eighth hardest based on the opponent’s win percentage of 20-10 (.667). It is the hardest in the GLIAC to date, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as their opponents the rest of the way are 15-14 this season. Davenport checks in with the 27th-ranked strength of schedule (18-12) and their future opponents are currently 9-18 overall. ● Davenport is finding a way to pull out wins in close games over the past three seasons which has led to their 20-7 record. In games decided by seven points or less since 2022, Davenport has a record of 9-1 with the lone loss coming this season against then No. 11 Central Missouri by a single point. The Panthers are 3-1 this season in those type of games and had won eight straight before the loss to the Mules back on Sept. 21.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE
● Davenport built a consistent offense at Michigan Tech and was able to score in each of the four quarters against the Huskies. It marked the second time this season (Central Missouri) they have achieved that feat. The Panthers were able to score 10 points in the second half at Michigan Tech which is a step in the right direction. They have had three games this season where they haven’t scored in the second half (Bowie State, William Jewell, and GVSU). In addition, the fourth quarter has been an area of concern. DU hasn’t had a fourth quarter touchdown since 13:45 remained against Central Missouri and that is their only one of the season. ● The Panthers have had a knack for blocking kicks this season and lead the conference with three blocks. The team also leads the league with just two lost fumbles, kickoff return defense (13.64 yards), and red zone defense (56.5). Individually, Brandon Gielow is first in field goal percentage (71.4) and Geemontae Peck has two blocked kicks.
Grand Valley State vs Saginaw Valley State
THE SERIES
• Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Saginaw Valley State by a 41-11 margin, having won 11 consecutive and 19-of-the-last-20 games in the series. GVSU claimed a 55-14 victory over the Cardinals a year ago in University Center. The Lakers sport a record of 24-2 at Lubbers Stadium versus the Cardinals and a 17-9 mark at Wickes Stadium. From 2001 – 2009, Grand Valley State was ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in 10-of-the-11 meetings with the Cardinals. SVSU was ranked higher than GVSU on two occasions, 2013 GV was unranked and claimed a 49-34 victory over #21 SVSU, and in the 2003 playoffs SVSU was ranked #1 and GVSU was #4. GVSU claimed a 10-3 win at Saginaw Valley State and eventually went on to win the National Championship. GVSU is 21-3 versus SVSU as a ranked team since 2001 and 26-3 overall versus the Cardinals in that span.
Grand Valley State Notes
• #2 Grand Valley State will hit the road for a GLIAC matchup in the Battle of the Valley’s versus #23 Saginaw Valley State. The Lakers (6- 0) are coming off a 49-17 victory over Northern Michigan, while the Cardinals, who have won four consecutive games, claimed a 27-14 road win at Roosevelt.
• The Lakers have won 18 consecutive GLIAC games. The two-time defending GLIAC champions’ last GLIAC loss was 10-16-21. In addition, the Lakers have won 15 consecutive regular season games.
• Last Week – #2 Grand Valley State claimed a 49-17 victory over Northern Michigan in four quarters of rain. The Lakers led 14-0 1:48 into the game. WR Kellen Reed returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a TD and following a turnover QB Avery Moore raced 29 yards for a TD. GVSU led 28-3 at the half and 35-3 early in the third quarter. The Laker defense forced three turnovers and LB Isaiah Johnson returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown. The Lakers rushed for five touchdowns, led by Moore who rushed six times for 92 yards and a TD. Khalil Eichelberger toted the ball 10 times for 58 yards and a TD, while Syone Usma-Harper chipped in 36 yards and a TD on four carries. The Laker defense did not allow a pass completion for the first time in Laker football history as the Wildcats were 0-5 in the passing game. Kobe Hayward led the defense with seven tackles and 2.5 TFL (-6), while Ian Kennelly also added seven stops. • GVSU is 36-19 versus ranked teams since 2009 and 228-38 versus all teams as a ranked team since 2001. • Run Offense – Run Defense… – The Laker rush offense ranks third in the country, rushing for 1,821 yards (303.5 ypg/6.1 ypc) and 21 TDs in six games. – The GVSU rush defense ranks seventh nationally and has limited five opponents to 568 yards and three rushing TD on 192 carries (94.7 ypg/3.0 ypc).
NATIONS LEADING WINNING %
• Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country, boasting a record of 447-151-3 (.744) in 52 years of playing football. In addition, GVSU is also the winningest GLIAC program all-time with a 317-77-3 mark (.800).
NCAA ATTENDANCE LEADERS
• GVSU leads the nation in attendance after two home games with a total of 47,022 (11,755). The Lakers led the nation in total attendance (100,882) and average per game (12,610) in eight home dates in 2023. GVSU has led the nation for 12 consecutive years.
10 WIN SEASONS
• Grand Valley State has won 10 or more games 19 times in the 52-year history of the program, including 17 times since 2001.
Saginaw Valley State Notes
Kick-Off
The Saginaw Valley State University Football team hosts Grand Valley State in the annual Battle of the Valleys game. This year’s meeting falls on the Cardinals’ homecoming weekend. SVSU (5-1, 2-0 GLIAC) won its fourth-straight game with a 27-14 decision at Roosevelt last week. The Cardinals are 5-1 for the first time since the 2018 season. Saginaw Valley averaged 7.6 yards per play to compile 434 yards in the win. The Lakers (6-0, 2-0 GLIAC) remained unbeaten this season with a 49-17 win over Northern Michigan last Saturday. GVSU moved ahead 28-3 in the first half before scoring three more times in the second half to secure the victory. SVSU sits in a three-way tie for first in the GLIAC standings with Ferris State and Grand Valley State after starting league play 2-0
1ST-AND-10
• The Cardinals currently sit in a three-way tie for first in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) standings with Grand Valley State and Ferris State, who all won their first two GLIAC matchups. The Cardinals and Bulldogs are 5-1 overall. The Lakers are the last unbeaten GLIAC team at 6-0. • This is the Cardinals first home game since week four. SVSU was 3-0 during the long road trip with wins at UIndy (9/28, W – 28-24), Northern Michigan (10/5, W – 63-14), and Roosevelt (10/12, W, 27-14). The Cardinals are 4-1 on the road this year with two more away contests for the season. • Senior All-American linebacker Micah Cretsinger was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 and the D2 Elite 100 watch lists. Junior linebacker Brandon Rawls joined Cretsinger on the D2 Elite 100 list. • Saginaw Valley faces three ranked opponents this season: at (#15) Indianapolis (W, 28-24), (#2) Grand Valley State on October 19, and at (#5) Ferris State on November 9. • Freshman quarterback Mason McKenzie is 87-of-147 through the air. He hit the 1,000 passing yards mark in the win over Roosevelt last week. His season total currently sits at 1,143 yards with nine touchdown tosses. McKenzie leads the Cardinals in passing and rushing with 48 carries for 405 yards and three scores on the ground. He currently ranks second in the GLIAC in rushing and third in passing yards. • Junior receiver Eric Craft leads the team in receptions with 18 for 289 yards and two scores. Redshirt freshman Joseph Walker has had two stellar weeks for the Cardinals and now has the second-most catches on the team with 14 for 231 yards and a score. • Terrence Brown Jr. rushed for 113 yards against Roosevelt and is third on the team with 12 receptions for 156 yards and five total touchdowns (2 rushing, 3 receiving) this season. • Alfred Dailey Jr. leads the defense with 36 tackles through six games. Leonard Henry IV has 32 stops and ranks second in NCAA Division II in sacks with 8.0 (1.33 per game). 2023 All-American linebacker Micah Cretsinger and junior safety Eli Gordon have 31 tackles each. Cretsinger has 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. Gordon leads the GLIAC with four interceptions (3rd in D2 with 0.7 picks a game).
