BIG RAPIDS -- The SVSU Football team hit the road for the third straight week on Saturday (Oct. 26) facing the No. 2 Ferris State University Bulldogs in GLIAC action. The Bulldogs came out on top in the game with a 34-10 victory over the Cardinals.
Ferris got on the board first in the game, taking a 3-0 lead on a field goal with 5:48 showing on the clock in the opening quarter.
The Cardinals responded to that score to tie the game at 3-3 as Connor Luksic drilled a 52 yard field goal with 2:59 left in the first. It was Luksic's career-long made field goal, besting his previous kick of 47 yards that he had earlier this season versus Michigan Tech.
The Bulldogs had three unanswered touchdowns to end the first half. The first came on a 63 yard touchdown strike with just 1:24 left in the first. Two more came on rushes in the second quarter as Ferris State pushed its lead out to 24-3 into the halftime break.
Ferris outgained Saginaw Valley 329 yards to 87 yards overall in the first half. Justin Whitted led the SV defense with seven first half tackles while David Still added six stops.
After SVSU recovered a Bulldog fumble at the goal line to open the second half, Ryan Conklin found Chad Gailliard for a big 78 yard touchdown pass to trim the deficit to 24-10 with 13:06 showing on the third quarter clock.
Ferris State answered that with 4:55 left in the third, finding a receiver deep behind the Cardinal defense for an 88 yard score and 31-10 lead. That's where the score remained headed to the fourth quarter.
The lone score of the final quarter came when the Bulldogs connected on a 25 yard field goal, putting the score at 34-10 with 3:49 to play. That ended up as the final, as FSU remained unbeaten at 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the GLIAC. Saginaw Valley falls to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in league play.
Inside the Boxscore
- Gailliard was named the Meijer "Player of the Game," reeling-in five catches for a season-best 120 yards and a touchdown.
- Luksic had the other points for Saginaw Valley, using his career-best 52 yard field goal.
- Nate McCrary led the ground game on 16 carries for 55 yards.
- Justin Whitted had a game-high 13 tackles, which is a new career-high for the senior.
- David Still added 10 stops and Austin Egler had nine with a fumble recovery.
- FSU posted a 623 to 235 advantage in total offense, holding a 398-165 edge in passing yards. They had a 225 to 70 edge on the ground as well.
Up Next...
SVSU returns home for another league battle with Ashland University on Saturday (Nov. 2) afternoon. Kickoff will be 1:00 p.m. at Wickes Stadium.
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