MIDLAND, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team fell to rival Northwood 10-7 in Saturday afternoon's 48th Axe Bowl game. The Cardinals took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter but couldn't put together another scoring drive in a tightly fought, defensive battle.
Both defenses were nearly perfect on third downs as the offenses converted a combined five times on that crucial down throughout the game. SVSU outgained the Timberwolves 269-169 in total offense with 228 yards coming through the air for the Cardinals.
"The difference between winning and losing is such a small margin. We missed out on too many little details today and we paid the price," said head coach Ryan Brady. "It's all about doing the little things and executing your assignment with discipline and effort. Give Northwood credit, they did enough to earn the victory. We need to be more disciplined in all three phases.
Mason McKenzie capped a five-play, 88-yard drive with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Zarek Zelinski that gave Saginaw Valley a 7-0 lead with 7:39 remaining in the first quarter.
Northwood knotted things up with a four-yard touchdown toss from Jacob Barlage to Jake Townsend with just four ticks off the clock in the second quarter.
The tie was broken in the third with a 32-yard field goal by the Timberwolves as the score sat at 10-7, where it would remain until the final whistle.
The Cardinals had a chance to tie the game in the final period after Barlage's pass on 1st-and-10 was intercepted by Jacoby Sanders. SVSU's offense moved the ball into field-goal range, but the 48-yard field-goal attempt by Rodrigo Castaneda sailed wide right with 5:41 left to play.
The Cardinal defense forced a punt and gave the offense one final shot to take the lead with a drive that started with 2:51 left in the game, but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the final SVSU drive.
Saginaw Valley will return home to host Truman State next week in the Cardinals' home opener next Saturday, September 21 for the Red Feather Classic and Hall of Fame celebration. Kick-off against the Bulldogs is set for 2:00 p.m. (ET).
