UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team took a 17-0 lead into the half before pulling out a 24-14 win over Davenport on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals (7-2, 4-1 GLIAC) held the Panthers (6-3, 3-2 GLIAC) to a season-low of 52 rushing yards in the victory.
"I am really proud of our guys. It was a hard-fought battle and we are fortunate to come out with the victory and keep this thing rolling," said head coach Ryan Brady. "Our guys from start to finish had control of this game and did a good job of maintaining the lead and handling adversity well."
Meijer Player of the Game Micah Cretsinger had a team-high eight tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack-fumble in the fourth quarter. Cretsinger also recorded his first interception of the season in the second quarter when he picked off former teammate Mike O'Horo and set up the first touchdown of the game that gave the Cardinals a 10-0 lead.
Rodrigo Castaneda hit a 42-yard field goal at 8:49 in the first quarter that gave SVSU an early 3-0 lead. Terrence Brown, Jr. finished with 13 carries for 70 yards and scored his only touchdown when he capped the three-play, 17-yard drive following the Cretsinger interception.
Brady Devereaux punched in two-yard run at the 5:22 of the second quarter that extended the advantage to 17-0.
The Panthers would score next with an eight-yard run by Mac VandenHout in the opening two minutes of the final frame to cut the deficit to 17-7.
Mason McKenzie was 9-for-20 passing with 146 yards while rushing 19 times for 64 yards including his 32-yard touchdown run with 4:06 remaining to widen the gap back to 17 points (24-7).
Preston Smith caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Vandenhout to tally the game's final points with 48 ticks left on the clock.
Joseph Walker finished with three catches for 50 yards, while Eric Craft had two receptions for 32 yards. Michael Jamerson III rushed 11 times for 58 yards with a long of 29.
Brandon Rawls, Jasper Beeler, and Eli Gordon had six tackles apiece. DJ Voltz had an interception in the end zone that halted a Davenport drive in the final two minutes of the second quarter. Harold Irby III registered 1.5 sacks, Cretsinger tallied one, and Adom LeDuc got a half sack in the win.
Castaneda was perfect on the afternoon with his single field goal attempt and three extra-point kicks.
UP NEXT: The Cardinals will travel to Big Rapids, Michigan next Saturday, November 9 to face Ferris State at 1:00 p.m. (ET). The Bulldogs are currently unbeaten in GLIAC play and sit atop the conference standings.
