Saginaw Valley State University rebounds with huge 59-20 victory

The Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals were clicking on cylinders on Saturday night against the Malone University Pioneers.  Malone University is a 2nd year member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from Canton, Ohio. The Cardinals playing their first game at home in the 2013 season after a tough opening night loss to the #3 ranked Northwest Missouri State University 45 -24.  Veteran SVSU radio broadcaster Dave Slaggert mentioned "That on paper this Saginaw Valley team is the strongest he has seen in his 13 years broadcasting Cardinal Football."  Slaggert went on to say "I expect this team to contend for the GLIAC title and make a good run in the NCAA Division II playoffs."

Head Coach Jim Collins saw his team come out swinging and building up an awesome lead in the first half along with a score of 49-6.  All-GLIAC pre-season selections quarterback Jon Jennings and wide receiver Jeff Janis had a field day against the Pioneers tonight.  Jeff Janis who came largely unnoticed out of Tawas High School had the 2nd straight game with low stats but one could clearly see that he was the star player on the field.   He finished the evening with 3 catches, 132 yards and 1 touchdown.  Their were a few scouts from the NFL in attendance watching Janis and offensive lineman Tevon Conrad from the Cardinals.   It is quite possible that these two players will be playing on Sundays in the next couple of years in the NFL.

The Cardinals displayed a balanced running attack with two runners gaining almost 200 yards on the night.  Norman Shuford with 102 yards and teammate Mark Mays had 90 yards rushing.  Quarterback Jon Jennings finished his play on the evening in 2 1/2 quarters with a 13 for 18 passing and gaining 256 yards through the air with three touchdowns.

SVSU's defensive shutdown the Malone Pioneers the entire evening until late in the game when most of Jim Collin's reserves were getting some playing time.  The lone score in the first half for the Pioneers was a 100 yard kickoff return by Malone's Lepear Smith.  The Pioneers fall to 0-2 on the season.   The Cardinals stand at 1-0 in the GLIAC and now travel to Findlay University next Saturday for a 12:00 noon start time.  The Cardinals played much more inspired football tonight in front of another large crowd (8,762) at Wickes Stadium.  

The Cardinals always have played well and drawn well in the annual Red Feather Game hosted by the Fordney Club of Saginaw to benefit the youth of Saginaw County.