Posted: Oct 17, 2024
Game 7: Saginaw Valley State vs. Grand Valley State
Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. ET
Harvey Randal Wickes Memorial Stadium | University Center, Mich.
2024 Game Notes: vs. Grand Valley State
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Video - https://flosports.link/3WE5ILv
Live Stats - https://rooseveltlakers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
WSGW Broadcast - https://www.alphamediaplayer.com/1063thecore
Kick-Off
The Saginaw Valley State University Football team hosts Grand Valley State in the annual Battle of the Valleys game. This year's meeting falls on the Cardinals' homecoming weekend.
SVSU (5-1, 2-0 GLIAC) won its fourth-straight game with a 27-14 decision at Roosevelt last week. The Cardinals are 5-1 for the first time since the 2018 season. Saginaw Valley averaged 7.6 yards per play to compile 434 yards in the win.
The Lakers (6-0, 2-0 GLIAC) remained unbeaten this season with a 49-17 win over Northern Michigan last Saturday. GVSU moved ahead 28-3 in the first half before scoring three more times in the second half to secure the victory.
SVSU sits in a three-way tie for first in the GLIAC standings with Ferris State and Grand Valley State after starting league play 2-0.
1ST-AND-10
• The Cardinals currently sit in a three-way tie for first in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) standings with Grand Valley State and Ferris State, who all won their first two GLIAC matchups. The Cardinals and Bulldogs are 5-1 overall. The Lakers are the last unbeaten GLIAC team at 6-0.
• This is the Cardinals first home game since week four. SVSU was 3-0 during the long road trip with wins at UIndy (9/28, W - 28-24), Northern Michigan (10/5, W - 63-14), and Roosevelt (10/12, W, 27-14). The Cardinals are 4-1 on the road this year with two more away contests for the season.
• Senior All-American linebacker Micah Cretsinger was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 and the D2 Elite 100 watch lists. Junior linebacker Brandon Rawls joined Cretsinger on the D2 Elite 100 list.
• Saginaw Valley faces three ranked opponents this season: at (#15) Indianapolis (W, 28-24), (#2) Grand Valley State on October 19, and at (#5) Ferris State on November 9.
• Freshman quarterback Mason McKenzie is 87-of-147 through the air. He hit the 1,000 passing yards mark in the win over Roosevelt last week. His season total currently sits at 1,143 yards with nine touchdown tosses. McKenzie leads the Cardinals in passing and rushing with 48 carries for 405 yards and three scores on the ground. He currently ranks second in the GLIAC in rushing and third in passing yards.
• Junior receiver Eric Craft leads the team in receptions with 18 for 289 yards and two scores. Redshirt freshman Joseph Walker has had two stellar weeks for the Cardinals and now has the second-most catches on the team with 14 for 231 yards and a score.
• Terrence Brown Jr. rushed for 113 yards against Roosevelt and is third on the team with 12 receptions for 156 yards and five total touchdowns (2 rushing, 3 receiving) this season.
• Alfred Dailey Jr. leads the defense with 36 tackles through six games. Leonard Henry IV has 32 stops and ranks second in NCAA Division II in sacks with 8.0 (1.33 per game). 2023 All-American linebacker Micah Cretsinger and junior safety Eli Gordon have 31 tackles each. Cretsinger has 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. Gordon leads the GLIAC with four interceptions (3rd in D2 with 0.7 picks a game).
ADDITIONAL NOTES
ABOUT THE LAKERS
Grand Valley State has started the season 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC. The Lakers are currently ranked second in the AFCA Coaches' Poll and the D2Football.com Top 25.
GVSU has won 18 straight GLIAC games and has a 15-game regular season winning streak dating back to last season.
The Lakers defense is seventh in the nation in scoring, allowing just 10.7 points per game this season. The unit is also eighth in D2 in total defense and ninth in tackles for loss.
Kobe Hayward leads the defense with 34 tackles. Niles King has nine tackles for loss and Ian Kennedy has three interceptions.
On the offensive side of the ball, GVSU ranks third in rushing offense with an average of 301.8 yards per game and is seventh in total offense at 466.2 yards per game.
Avery Moore leads the passing attack with 48-for-79, 630 yards, and four scores passing. Khalil Eichelberger leads on the ground with 545 yards and six touchdowns. Kyle Nott is the team's leading receiver with 10 catches for 247 yards.
GLIAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior safety Eli Gordon has won GLIAC Football Defensive Player of the Week three times this season. Gordon earned the honor after Cardinal wins over Winona State, Truman State, and Indianapolis. The Midland, Michigan native, leads the SVSU defense in tackles and interceptions. He is sitting third in all of NCAA Division II with an average of 0.7 picks per contest having recorded an interception in four of the first six games this season.
PASS RUSH NIGHTMARE
Cardinal pass rusher Leonard Henry IV has been a nightmare to opposing teams this season. Henry has eight sacks through six games and has the nation's second-best sack numbers, averaging 1.33 per game.