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GLIAC -- The SVSU Football team has been picked to finish in fourth place for the 2018 season in the latest GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
Saginaw Valley appears in a three-way tie in the fourth spot with Northwood and Wayne State, all garnering 35 points. Ashland was picked third with 54 points and a single first place nod. Ferris State notched 56 points and two first place votes while GVSU was chosen number one with 61 points and six first place votes.
1. Grand Valley State - 61 (6)
2018 Saginaw Valley State Preview
The SVSU Football team looks to improve upon a second straight five-win season in 2017 and will look to a veteran group of returners in 2018 to help lead the Cardinals back to competing for a poseseason berth.
Offensively, GLIAC Freshman of the Year and All-American Honorable Mention wide receiver Chad Gailliard returns as a weapon for the Cardinals on the outside. Junior quarterback Ryan Conklin returns as the starter under center after a solid sophomore campaign for the Cardinals. Will Farr looks to bounce back from an injury that caused him to miss most of 2017, giving SVSU an option at the tight end position that will help stretch the field as well. Trevor Curle, Max Fister and Chris Johnson return as starters up front on the offensive line for Saginaw Valley, as they helped lead SVSU to rack-up 367.7 yards per game in 2017.
Senior linebacker Michael Alexander will anchor the defense after leading in 2017 with 94 tackles, ranking him 5th in the league. Fellow senior Dillon Dixon returns at safety as the leader of the defensive backfield. Senior defensive end Ryan Gruszka and senior linebacker Sloan Klaski will help lead a group that has six starters returning and ranked 5th in the league in points allowed per game.
Saginaw Valley opens its 2018 season at home on Thursday, August 30 against Alderson Broaddus at 7 pm. The GLIAC slate begins on Saturday, September 22 versus Wayne State at 1 pm.