UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – No. 17 Saginaw Valley State University hosted No. 18 Wayne State University tonight (Oct. 11) at Wickes Stadium in a game broadcasted nationally by the CBS Sports Network.  The Cardinals came out on top, turning back the Warriors 24-7 infront of a loud and packed stadium of 6,637 fans.

After nearly a scoreless first quarter, Saginaw Valley (6-1 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) put the first digits on the scoreboard when sophomore Scott Stanford (Novi, Mich.) connected on a 42-yard field goal with :24 seconds left in the quarter. 

Holding a 3-0 lead over Wayne State (4-2 overall, 4-2 GLIAC), the SVSU special teams would force a fumble on a punt, which was recovered by freshman Trevor Blattner (Battle Creek, Mich. / Harper Creek HS), on the Cardinal 18-yard line after a 32-yard punt off the foot of junior Branko Hamilton (Troy, Mich.).   

With excellent field position and 8:34 remaining in the first half, SVSU quarterback Jonathon Jennings (Columbus, Ohio / Westerville South HS) would find an open Zach Cecich (Crown Point, Ind.) from five-yards out to put the Cardinals up 10-0 entering the half.

The Warriors would cut their deficit to 10-7 when Toney Davis found an open three-yard route into the endzone late in the third quarter.

A bad snap early in the fourth quarter inside the Wayne State ten-yard line would give the Cardinals outstanding field position, setting up senior running back Ronnie Lark (Flint, Mich. / Powers Catholic HS) on a one-yard run to give SVSU a 17-7 lead.  Lark ended the night with 16 carries and four receptions for 118 all-purpose yards.  The Cardinals would find the endzone once more on a three-yard Jennings rush to seal the victory, 24-7.

Junior wide receiver Michael Albrecht (Midland, Mich.) was named Meijer "Player of the Game", recording 10 receptions for 91 yards.  Jennings would end the night connecting on 29-of-46 passes for 254 yards and a score.

The Saginaw Valley defense was led by senior Nate Snyder (Dearborn, Mich.) who ended the night with 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while senior Grant Caserta (Holland, Mich. / West Ottawa HS) recorded 10 tackles on the evening.

Saginaw Valley moves their record to 6-1 overall on the season and 5-1 in the GLIAC, while Wayne State falls to 4-2 on the year and 4-2 in conference play.

Fans can catch a replay of tonight's game on Fox Sports Detroit on Friday (Oct. 12) at noon.

The Cardinals will return to action Saturday, October 20, when they travel to take on Hillsdale College.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 PM.