The Cardinals began the season by upsetting #8 California (PA) on the road on Sunday 23-17.

The Vulcans scored first but the Cardinals came right back and went down the field and scored on a one yard TD by Xavier Walker. The Vulcans again scored when they blocked a Cardinal punt in the end zone for 2 points, and led 9-7.

After recovering a fumble, the Cardinals got the ball in Vulcan territory. The Cardinals got back on the board when they scored on a Galen Stone 12 yard rushing TD. The Cardinals led at halftime 14-9.

California again took a lead after a Cardinal fumble and scored on a rushing TD of their own, leading 17-14. SVSU QB Charles Dowdell then threw a 13 yard TD pass to Stone get get back on top 21-17.

On SVSU's next possession they would then march all the way to the 1 yard line where they were stopped on four straight plays, When the Vulcans took over on downs, Bryan Klobucar would stop them for a safety, SVSU led 23-17.

Galen Stone finished with 68 all-purpose yards and 2 TD's. Charles Dowdell completed 13 of 20 passes for 1 TD and 1 interception. On defense John Jacobs tallied 11 tackles.

#25 SVSU Football Team Wins Big At Wayne State 9-5-09

The Saginaw Valley State University football team won big over Wayne State Saturday 21-13. It was the 16th straight win over Wayne State for SVSU. The win moves SVSU to 2-0 to start the season.

QB Charles Dowdell completed 19 of 32 passes for 213 yards and a TD. Nick Gallina caught 5 passes for 86 yards and a 37-yard TD, he also ran for 60 yards. Xavier Walker added 73 yards on 14 carries to lead the SVSU rushing attack.

SVSU scored first when Jordan DeRosia recovered a fumble by Dowdell in the endzone for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Wayne State answered right back as Joique Bell connected with Brian Rilley for an 11-yard touchdown pass, Robert Callaway blocked the extra point and SVSU led 7-6.

In the second quarter QB Dowdell hit Gallina with a 37-yard TD pass on 3rd and 25 to give the Cardinals a 14-6 lead. Dowdell would later get a pass intercepted to set-up a 3-yard Bell touchdown that cut the Cardinals lead to 14-13. with 2:34 left in the second quarter SVSU's Brandon Hayes, (from Swan Valley High School) scored on a 2-yard dive to give the Cardinals a 21-13 lead and end the games scoring.

SVSU Loses Big Game Against #1 Grand Valley 9-12-09

The SVSU Football team lost in their bid to defeat the #1 ranked team in the nation in Division II, Grand Valley 38-7.

The Cardinals in front of a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and GVSU record crowd of 16,467 in the ninth annual “Battle of the Valleys” game.

Grand Valley started the scoring with only a field goal but soon came right back and scored on passes from QB Brad Iciek good from 16, 64 and 29-yards to take a 24-0 lead.

SVSU got on the board when Charles Dowdell hit Galen Stone from 12-yards out, 24-7.

GVSU marched back down the field and scored on a Iciek pass to Blake Smolen from 12-yards out.

Dowdell completed on 18 of 36 passes for 200-yards and a TD, he also had 14 carries for 48 yards. Stone finished with five catches for 85-yards and a TD.

Cardinal John Jacobs (Midland Dow HS) tallied 9-tackles. Matt Peterson (Freeland) and Mike LeVand recorded 8-tackles, and Ja’Vae Ingraham added 6-tackles and a fumble recovery.

Iciek completed 18 of 27 passes for 336-yards and 5 touchdowns. Smolen caught 6 passes for 112-yards.

SVSU was out-gained 464-370 in total yards.

The Cardinals fall to 2-1 over-all and 1-1 in the GLIAC. Their next game is Saturday at home where they will host Northwood University in the 36th Annual Axe Bowl with kickoff at noon.

Cardinals Beat #8 Californai (PA) to start the Season 8-29-09

SVSU Wins 36th Annual Axe Bowl 32-27 9-19-09

SVSU Won the 36th Annual Axe Bowl trophy defeating Northwood at it's home opener 37-27.

Three minutes into the game Northwood QB Spencer Klukowski hit Michael Gillmore with a 34-yard TD pass to start the scoring early. SVSU tied it up on running back Xavier Walker 's 1-yard TD run, 7-7.

In the second quarter Klukowski ran in from 1-yard to get Northwood back on top, 14-7. The Cardinals responed when Walker scored his second touchdown of the game from 2-yards to tie the score 14-14. Grant Caserta intercepted a pass from Klukowski which would lead to a Brandon Hayes 1-yard TD run, the extra point failed and the Cardinals led 20-14. With only 6 seconds left in the half Klukowski threw the ball into the corner of the end zone good for a 28-yard TD giving Northwood a 1-point lead 21-20.

The teams traded TDs in the third quarter. After recovering a Northwood fumble SVSU would take the ball and score on a Hayes 6-yard dash in the endzone. Northwood came right back and scored to take back their 1-point lead, but Walker found the endzone once again on a 3-yard run.

John Jacobs led the Cardinals defense with 15 tackles and Mike LeVand added 13-tackles and 2-sacks. Matt Peterson, Jordan Barley and Caserta tallied 7-tackles apiece. Hayes ended the game with 1-yards and 2-TDs.

Northwood QB Klukowski finished with 5-of-21 passes for 233 yards and 2-TDs. Gillmore finished with 5-catches for 133 yards.

The Cardinals record improves to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the GLIAC. Northwood falls to 2-1 overall and 2-1 in the GLIAC.

SVSU travel to Indianapolis on September 26 for a GLIAC match-up. Gametime is 6 p.m.