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DETROIT -- The Saginaw Valley State University Football team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2019 GLIAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll, which was held in conjunction with the league's media day on Monday in Detroit. The Cardinals finished with 42 points to land in the No. 4 slot.
Grand Valley State finished third with 51 points and a single first place nod while Ashland was second with 55 points. Ferris State was tabbed is the GLIAC preseason favorite after garnering 64 points and the other eight first place nods.
2019 Saginaw Valley State Preview
The 2019 SVSU Football team is looking to rely on a great deal of experience heading into the season and take the next step after posting an 8-3 overall record last season. First year head coach Ryan Brady welcomes back nine starters on each side of the ball and 26 lettermen overall as the Cardinals look to push towards the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Senior signal-caller Ryan Conklin returns for his final season after ranking third in the league in passing yards and touchdowns in the 2018 season. He will once again have one of his favorite targets, as league-leader in yards per game and touchdowns, Chad Gailliard, laces them up for his junior season. All starters return up front to pave the way for returning running back Nate McCrary, who had a team-high 11 rushing scores last season and ranked third in the league.
All-American and senior defensive tackle Heath Williams will anchor a front line alongside fellow defensive tackle Patrik Moriarty and defensive end David Still. Williams led the GLIAC in 2018 with 13 sacks while Still added five. Justin Whitted and Austin Egler return as starting linebackers from last season. In the defensive backfield, Donnell Alexander, Joe Newman and Nick Whiteside return as starters to help anchor a defense that ranked second last season in scoring after allowing just 16.6 points per game.
Saginaw Valley opens its 2019 campaign on the road on Saturday, September 7 at Texas A&M-Kingsville before the home opener the following Saturday versus Tiffin. GLIAC play begins on September 21 at home versus Michigan Tech.
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