UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University football had 12 student-athletes receive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference awards when the league announced the postseason selections on Thursday (Nov. 16) afternoon. Terrance Brown was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year and also made the second-team All-GLIAC offense.
Derrick Hinton Jr. was selected to the first-team All-GLIAC offense while Micah Cretsinger was on the first-team defense. Connor Cracchiolo, D.J. Summerville. and Joe Botello joined Brown on the second-team offense. Linebackers Alfred Dailey Jr. and Brandon Rawls were named to the second-team defense.
Five Cardinals were selected to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention list with Dante Barthwell, Eric Craft, Harold Irby III, Ryan Whitely, and Mikey Woolridge.
Terrance Brown finished the season with a team-high 733 rushing yards along with 172 yards receiving. He scored eight touchdowns (six rushing, two receiving). His 66.6 rushing yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry marks rank third in the league. Brown tops the team in all-purpose yards with 905 with an 82.3 yards per game average (7th in the GLIAC).
"Terrance committed himself very early on at SVSU, and those deposits resulted in huge dividends," said Saginaw Valley State head football coach Ryan Brady. "The sky is the limit for Terrance. He has what it takes to be one of the all-time greats at SVSU. Terrance is adored by his teammates and his love for the game is infectious to all."
Micah Cretsinger has had a historic season, punctuated by him tying the NCAA Division II record with four interceptions returned for a touchdown. He is the first player from the GLIAC to achieve this feat and only the fifth player in DII history to meet that mark (the last time it was done was in 2011). Cretsinger leads the team in tackles with 100 and has added 3.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and four pass breakups.
"Micah has put together a season to remember.," stated Coach Brady. "Incredible production on the field and all of his hard work, dedication, and patience have paid off in a big way. This is only the beginning for Micah! Big things lie ahead for him and his team. Extremely happy for his on-field success this fall."
Derrick Hinton Jr. led the Cardinals in receiving yards this season with 595 on 52 receptions. He caught four passes for touchdowns and finished second on the team in all-purpose yards with 708 (47 rush, 595 receiving, 66 punt return).
"Derrick was without question our leader on Offense. He has consistently been the most determined, passionate, and driven member on that side of the football. He has continued to elevate himself throughout his career and I couldn't be more proud of the work he has put in," lauded Coach Brady.
Connor Cracchiolo started on the SVSU offensive line in all 11 games this season. He helped anchor an O-Line that had the Cardinals finish third in the conference in rushing yards per game.
"Connor is another unquestioned leader on Offense. His play speaks for itself. But his true value is what he brings every day in the weight room, meeting rooms, locker room, practice field, and on game day. He is one of the hardest workers I've ever coached. I love Connor for his drive, passion, and attitude," said Coach Brady.
D.J. Summerville is another 11-game starter on the Saginaw Valley State offensive line for the third-ranked rushing attack in the league.
"Daran had a great year for us. He had a very good off-season. He is one of the strongest guys I've ever coached. Happy for the success he had during his senior campaign. DJ played at a high level and had the honor of playing Left Tackle and protecting the quarterbacks' back side. DJ was a great senior and we will miss him!"
Joe Botello is the third member of the Cardinal offensive line to be selected second-team All-GLIAC. Botello saw action in all 11 games for SVSU.
"Joe had an outstanding year. He really finished strong. He played his best football at the end. Joe has continued to push and challenge himself and has developed himself as a force to be reckoned with. We expect Joe to take another giant step next season," said Coach Brady.
Alfred Dailey Jr. is the second-leading tackler for the Cardinal defense and is the second member of the linebacker trio with Cretsinger and Rawls. Dailey Jr. finished the year with 71 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups.
"Fred means so much to everyone around here. He is a true leader and a tremendous program guy. He is a great player and a great person, and he truly cares about others, the team, and the program. He is a selfless individual but plays with a killer instinct. Expecting a big Senior Campaign from Alfred! Who U Wit!"
Brandon Rawls joined Cretsinger and Dailey Jr., in the starting linebacker corps for the Cardinals. Rawls was consistently in the opponent's backfield as he led SVSU with 15.5 tackles for loss. He added 65 tackles (third-most on the team), and a sack.
"I cannot say enough about Brandon," said Coach Brady. "He put together a very good sophomore season. Brandon's intensity, toughness, and mentality are unmatched. Brandon's impact in the community, classroom, weight room, locker room, and football field are unmatched. He is beloved by his coaches and peers. I look forward to watching Brandon continue to chase his dreams. Brandon has what it takes!"
Dante Barthwell appeared in all 11 games in the defensive backfield for SVSU. He completed the season with 26 tackles, two sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and three pass breakups.
"Dante made the transition from Offense to Defense this fall. To his credit he made it look easy. I expect Dante to have a huge senior campaign next fall. Dante is a special talent," said Coach Brady.
Eric Craft had the third-most receptions on the team with 21. He took those catches for 232 yards and scored two touchdowns.
"One of the most improved players in our program," stated Coach Brady. "Eric has put in an unbelievable amount of work, determination, and relentless dedication. Happy for his success this fall."
Harold Irby III totaled 31 tackles on the defensive line. Added four tackles for a loss, one sack, and one forced fumble.
"Happy for Harold! He has put in the work and he continues to grow, improve, and be an important part of our success here at SVSU," said Coach Brady.
Ryan Whitely is another member of the SVSU offensive line that helped the team finish third in rushing in the GLIAC. Whitely appeared in all 11 games on the Cardinals O-Line.
"Ryan has done a great job. His infectious smile, attitude, and love for his teammates have a daily impact program-wide," stated Coach Brady.
Mikey Woolridge finished the 2023 season with 35 tackles that included one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and four pass breakups.
"Word cannot describe the impact that Mikey has had during his 4-year career at SVSU. So proud of everything he has accomplished on and off the field. Mikey, I will speak for everyone when "We say thank you for everything you have done for Saginaw Valley State University. A great player, a great leader, a great teammate, and a great person. I couldn't have asked for anything more! Thank you, Sir!" said Coach Brady.