UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team held the Spring Red Feather Classic on Saturday, April 15, on a warm, 84-degree afternoon.
The game featured 27 of the newest SVSU football commits, 54 recruits, alums, and friends & family. The day began with the Community Youth Experience Sponsored by the Fordney Club of Saginaw before moving into the spring game. The afternoon concluded with the traditional pig roast that saw 400+ Cardinal Family Members thanks to long-time SVSU supporter Ernie Paulik.
The youth experience had a turnout of 152 participants and featured over 70 SVSU football players. In addition, the event saw giveaways of t-shirts and hotdogs, autographs and pictures with Cardinal players, and guest speakers.
All youth experience participants also got into the spring game portion of the afternoon as the Red Team edged the White Team, 35-32. Each side split the 14 situational periods before moving into two live-action quarters to end the game. The Red Team pulled ahead late in the last period with a one-yard touchdown run from Jaquon Howard for the win.
Other SVSU player highlights were Terrance Brown scoring two touchdowns, one on a four-yard run and the other on a 30-yard reception. Jairus Grissom scored a six-yard rushing touchdown while Willie Taylor threw the 30-yard touchdown pass. Earnest Sanders totaled three receptions for 45 yards, and Tanner Slazinski gave Kevin Swift a 20-yard touchdown pass.
On the defensive side, Jasper Beeler, DJ Voltz, and Myles Gresham had interceptions. In addition, Micah Cretsinger recorded a forced fumble, sack, and pass breakup. Michael Woolridge also registered a sack on the afternoon.
"I want to express my gratitude to everyone that made today special!" said Saginaw Valley State University head football coach Ryan Brady. "There are so many incredible individuals that had a hand in today. Without them, today would not have been possible. Thank you to the Fordney Club for their continued support and partnership. It is truly an honor to work with such great people such as Jason Glick, Matt Gronda, Travis Hare, Joel Trautner, and Kevin Schultz. Thank you to our parents and parent club, led by Grace Dersa, for all their hard work in putting together our Pig Roast BBQ. Thanks to Ernie Paulik and John Decker for their great efforts in preparing our BBQ. Finally, thank you to Brad Barlog, Elizabeth Knowles, and their fine team. What you do for SVSU Football never goes unnoticed!"
The SVSU football team returns to action in the 2023 Fall season with a home contest against Winona State on Thursday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m.