DETROIT, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team won their second game of the 2009 season and their 16th straight over Wayne State in a 21-13 victory today (Sept, 5).

The Cardinals’ got on the scoreboard first when Jordan DeRosia (Mt. Morris, Mich. / E.A. Johnson HS) recovered a Chuck Dowdell (Ft. Wayne, Ind. / Indiana State) fumble in the endzone for the early 7-0 lead. Wayne State answered right back as Joique Bell hit fullback Brian Rilley for an 11-yard touchdown pass, but Rob Callaway would break through on the extra point attempt to stop the Warriors’ from tying the score.

At the beginning of the second quarter Dowdell would find Nick Gallina (Troy, Mich. / Tryo HS) in the back corner of the endzone on 3rd and 25 to give the Cardinals a 14-6 lead. With Wayne State marching midway through the second quarter Carlton Downs (Detroit, Mich. / Denby HS) would intercept a Zack George pass at the Wayne State 6-yard line, but on the ensuing drive Dowdell would get his second down pass intercepted to set-up a 3-yard Bell touchdown run to cut the Cardinals lead to 14-13 with 8:02 left in the second quarter. Brandon Hayes (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley HS) would cap off a 13-play, 67-yard drive with two-yard plunge to give the Cardinals a 21-13 lead.

After a first half with lots of big plays on the offensive side of the ball, both defenses settled in for the second half. The Cardinals were led on defense by John Jacobs (Prudenville, Mich./Midland Dow HS) who had 12 tackles, a sack and an interception. Mike LeVand (Grandville, Mich. / Grandville HS) chipped in with nine tackles and a sack, while Downs had three tackles and his second interception of the season.

With the win the Cardinals improve to 2-0 overall on the season and 1-0 in the GLIAC, while Wayne State falls to 1-1 overall on the season and 0-1 in the GLIAC. Saginaw Valley will return to action next Saturday (Sept. 12) when they travel to Allendale, Mich. to battle with #1 ranked Grand Valley State.