Saginaw Valley State University sets up showdown with Grand Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University was running on all cylinders Saturday afternoon at blustery Harvey Randell Wickes Stadium in destroying Northern Michigan University 52-17.   The (9-1) Cardinals ran off to a 38-3 lead at halftime on Senior Day at SVSU.   Once again the dynamic duo of Jon Jennings and Jeff Janis were unstoppable.  

Northern Michigan really couldn't mount much of an offense on the day.  The Wildcats would only gain 36 yards on 31 rushing attempts.   The Wildcats (3-6) scored a couple of touchdowns late in the contest to make the score look a little closer than it actually was.   The Saginaw Valley defense played outstanding on this cool windy afternoon.   This was the only day game at home for the Cardinals in 2013.  

The Cardinals now have placed themselves in position to clinch a home playoff contest by going to Grand Valley State University next Saturday and defeating their in state rivals.  The 1:00p.m. contest will be played in Allendale and will have the outright GLIAC title on the line for the Cardinals.   A win would at least clinch a tie for the Great Lakes Conference Championship.  Currently the Cardinals are ranked #19 in the latest NCAA Division II polls and will move up come Sunday evening. 

The only blemish on the SVSU season record is an opening game loss to then #2 ranked Northwest Missouri State University 45 -24.   The Cardinals now have rattled off 9 straight wins and running up some impressive individual and team statistics during the 2013 campaign.  Two Cardinals are making strong runs for post season honors in the GLIAC and NCAA Division II honors.   Quarterback Jon Jennings and wide receiver Jeff Janis both will garner 1st team GLIAC honors and make a strong case for All American status at the season's end.  

Quarterback Jon Jennings and wide receiver Jeff Janis were clicking together all day long against the Wildcat defense.   Janis would finish the day with 8 catchs for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns.   Jennings was equally impressive with 12 for 20 in the passing department for 280 yards and 4 T.D passes.   6,257 fans left Harvey Randell Wickes Stadium happy seeing the Cardinals go a perfect 5-0 at home in the 2013 campaign.   The Cardinals should be playing for a few more  weeks and should be able to host a 2013 NCAA Division II playoff game.