ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- The SVSU Football team continued on the road on Saturday (Oct. 19), playing in a non-conference game at Lindenwood (Mo.) University. In what was a back and forth matchup, the Cardinals would fall in the final seconds of the game by a score of 35-31. 

Lindenwood jumped out to a 7-0 lead and led by a 14-0 count at the 7:31 point of the second quarter. 

SVSU responded with a 34 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Conklin to Chad Gailliard with 1:40 remaining in the opening half, trimming the deficit in half at 14-7 headed into the half. 

The Cardinals received the second half kickoff and promptly drove the ball downfield and scored, with Chris Nelson getting his first SVSU touchdown as 8:11 showed on the clock and the score 14-14 after a Connor Luksic PAT. 

The Lions responded with a scoring drive of their own, getting the ball down to the SVSU goal line and getting another seven when they fumbled the ball and it was recovered by them in the endzone for a 21-14 edge with 4:39 to play in the third. 

Saginaw Valley responded once again, marching right back down the field and getting points off a Luksic 40 yard field goal that made the score 21-17 early on in the fourth quarter.

Just over two minutes later, Nelson got his second score of the day for SV from 15 yards out, capping-off a drive that gave the visitors their first lead of the day at 24-21.

After Lindenwood scored again with 8:36 showing to regain the lead at 28-24, the Cardinals were able to chew up some clock and find paydirt once more when Conklin hit Casey Williams from eight yards out to give SVSU the 31-28. That touchdown came with just 55 seconds remaining in the contest. 

The Lions got two big pass plays to set up a first and 10 from the SVSU 36 yard line but the SV defense held strong the next three plays and forded Lindenwood into a fourth and 10 with just 16 seconds remaining. After an SVSU timeout, the Lions took a shot at the endzone and connected with a 36 yard scoring strike to take the 35-31 lead with 10 seconds showing.

That score would remain the final, with the Lions coming away with he four point win.

Inside the Boxscore

• The Cards held a 426-359 edge in total offense, which was the second-most SV has put up this year.
• Nelson finished with 13 carries, 66 yards and two scores. He was named the Meijer "Player of the Game" for his efforts.
• Nate McCrary had a team-best 82 yards on 13 carries while fighting through an injury.
• Williams had a team-best seven catches for 54 yards and the touchdown. 
• Gailliard had the other receiving touchdown, coming along with four catches for 47 yards.
• David Still led the defensive attack with seven tackles with a sack.
• Michael Woolridge and Austin Egler each added seven stops as well. 
• Marvin White added six tackles with an interception while Heath Williams added two sacks in the game. 
• SVSU had possession for 34:38 in the game, but had nine penalties for 92 yards as well. 

Up Next...

SVSU continues on the road this upcoming Saturday, traveling to play at No. 2 Ferris State in a 1:00 p.m. game. You can follow that game live online.

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