UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team jumped out to a 14-point lead early in the first quarter and never looked back in a dominant win over No. 9 Bowie State University on Saturday at Wickes Stadium.

The Cardinals intercepted the first Bulldog pass of the game setting up the first score, and after a blocked punt, the Cardinals found the endzone again for the quick two-score lead. SVSU dominated on the ground with 323 yards rushing and rolled to a 40-12 win to open the season 2-0.

First Quarter:

• After Trevor Nowaske picked off the first BSU pass of the game, the Cardinals went up 7-0 on a 7-yard touchdown run from Tyler Amos.
• The Bulldogs stalled on their next drive and Josh Fusco got free to the punter to block the kick setting SVSU up at the BSU 31-yard line.
• Four plays later, Andrew Brito found Earnest Sanders IV for a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0.

Second Quarter:

• The score remained the same until 1:08 left in the second when BSU scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dion Golatt to Kyle Parker.
• The ensuing extra point was blocked by Victor Nelson and Cameron Mitchell scooped up the ball for a 97-yard return to give the Cardinals two points and a 16-6 lead heading into the locker room.

Third Quarter:

• Colby Newburg entered the game at quarterback after a long SVSU drive and took his first snap, sprinted up the middle and past the BSU defense for a 34-yard score to put the Cardinals up 23-6.
• Amos scored his second rushing touchdown of the day on an 8-yard run in the third to extend the SVSU lead to 23 points.
• Bowie tried to climb back in the game, with Golatt hitting a 14-yard pass to Morgan Scroggins, but the kick failed and SVSU led 30-12 heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter:

• Connor Luksic hit his first field goal of the day from 26 out, followed by a 12-yard run from Dante Barthwell in the final minutes to cap off the game for SVSU.

Inside the Box Score:

• The Cardinals rushed 44 times for 323 yards with seven different ball rushers carrying the ball.
• Casey Williams, the Meijer "Player of the Game" led the Cardinal receivers with five catches for 71 yards while adding three carries for 64 yards, including a long of 62.
•  Brito was 12-of-20 passing for 94 yards and a score.
• Micah Cretsinger led the Cardinals in tackles with 11, adding a forced fumble.
• Nowaske added 10 tackles and an interception.
• The Cardinals finished with two sacks and nine total tackles for loss.

Up Next:

The Cardinals play the annual Axe Bowl against rival Northwood University at 1 pm next Saturday in Midland.

Postgame Interview with Head Coach Ryan Brady: