Oct 26, 4:00 PM UTC
Northern Michigan vs Michigan Tech
Oct 26, 4:00 PM UTC
USCGA vs Norwich
Oct 26, 4:00 PM UTC
Susquehanna vs Wilkes
Oct 26, 4:00 PM UTC
New Haven vs Assumption
Oct 26, 4:00 PM UTC
Springfield vs Salve Regina
Oct 26, 5:00 PM UTC
Anderson (SC) vs Tusculum
Oct 26, 5:00 PM UTC
Limestone vs Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct 26, 5:00 PM UTC
Towson vs Monmouth
Oct 26, 6:00 PM UTC
Elon vs Hampton
Oct 26, 6:00 PM UTC
Davenport vs Roosevelt
Oct 26, 6:30 PM UTC
USMMA vs WPI
Oct 26, 7:00 PM UTC
Ferris State vs Grand Valley
Oct 26, 7:30 PM UTC
UNH vs Villanova
Oct 26, 7:30 PM UTC
William & Mary vs Stony Brook
Oct 26, 8:00 PM UTC
NC A&T vs Campbell
2024 Grand Valley State vs Saginaw Valley St.

GVSU Holds On To Defeat SVSU 16-9 In 2024 Battle Of The Valleys

GVSU Holds On To Defeat SVSU 16-9 In 2024 Battle Of The Valleys

The powerful GVSU offense was stifled for much of the 2024 Battle of the Valleys against SVSU, but the Lakers were able to sneak away with a 16-9 road win.

Oct 19, 2024 by Matt Cannizzaro
null

For two and a half quarters Saturday at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium in University Center, Michigan, it looked like host Saginaw Valley State was poised to pull off perhaps the biggest upset in recent Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history. 

Then, the Cardinals’ momentum and homecoming crowd were silenced, as two-time defending GLIAC champion Grand Valley State took control and rolled to a 16-9 victory.

It was the 12th consecutive win for GVSU in the longtime rivalry between the two teams and the 20th Battle of the Valleys triumph for the Lakers in their last 21 meetings.

Both teams entered the defensive standoff at 2-0 this season in conference play, tied with Ferris State, meaning the winner would take a huge step forward in the quest for this year’s crown. 

Instead of Saginaw Valley State collecting what could’ve been a season-defining win, it’ll be GVSU continuing its quest for a GLIAC three-peat with an Oct. 26 meeting with Ferris State, a 51-13 winner over Michigan Tech on Saturday.

As it has since 2018, next weekend’s Anchor-Bone Classic between GVSU and Ferris State now could be the game that ultimately decides the conference champion. 

The recipe for success for SVSU against GVSU absolutely was going to have to include shutting down the Lakers’ conference-leading ground attack, and into the second half, that’s exactly what was happening.

The Cardinals even opened the scoring with a safety, sacking GVSU’s senior quarterback Avery Moore for a loss of 7 yards on the Lakers’ first play of the game.

Until the third-quarter scoring drive that put GVSU ahead for good, the Lakers had only managed about a dozen rushing yards in the contest, including a shocking 4 yards on 16 rushing attempts in the first half, while falling behind 9-3.

Unfortunately, the Saginaw Valley State offense couldn’t take advantage of the situation either, with the Cardinals’ lone offensive score being an 18-yard touchdown run from redshirt freshman quarterback Mason McKenzie early in the second quarter.

McKenzie was 9 of 24 for all 145 passing yards and added a team-best 54 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Grand Valley State still only managed 50 net rushing yards in the game, but a couple of long passing plays from Moore in a 13-for-22, 184-yard performance proved to be enough. 

Moore had one touchdown pass, a 22-yard strike to senior tight end Gavin Cossou, while sophomore running back Derrick Woods scored the Lakers’ go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.

GVSU finished the contest with 234 total yards after entering the game with a GLIAC-best 303.5 rushing yards per game and second-best 466.7 total yards per outing.

The SVSU offense managed 283 total yards in the loss (145 passing and 138 on the ground).

Though the two teams combined for 20 penalties worth 174 yards, there wasn’t a turnover in the game. 

The squads also combined for 16 punts, two of which GVSU was able to land at the 1-yard line, and that field position turned out to be monumental in the Lakers' hope to preserve their GLIAC dynasty, which includes 11 conference titles since 2001, including six straight from 2005-2010.

The Lakers, ranked No. 2 in the latest American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll, improve to 7-0 on the year and 3-0 in conference play. They’ll be back at home in Allendale, Michigan, next week to host Ferris State.

With the loss, SVSU falls to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in GLIAC action. The Cardinals will hit the road next week for a meeting with winless Wayne State (0-7, 0-3). The Warriors lost on the road Saturday to Davenport, 43-26.

If you missed any of the GVSU-SVSU action as it happened, scroll down to check out the highlights and see how it all unfolded.

Final Stats From GVSU's 16-9 Win Over SVSU

GVSUStatsSVSU
15FIRST DOWNS16
9Passing7
4Rushing7
2Penalty2
40% (6 of 15)THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY14% (2 of 14)
0% (0 of 0)FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY33% (1 of 3)
62TOTAL PLAYS61
234TOTAL YARDS283
3.8AVG YDS/PLAY4.6
184NET YARDS PASSING145
13-22Completions-Attempts9-25
8.4Net yards per pass play5.8
5-33Sacked: Number-Yards2-15
0Had intercepted0
50NET YARDS RUSHING138
40Rushing Attempts36
1.3Average gain per rush3.8
7-319PUNTS: Number-Yards9-329
45.6Average36.6
34TOTAL RETURN YARDS104
3-10Punt Returns: Number-Yards1-3
1-24Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards4-101
0-0Interception Returns: Number-Yards0-0
11-97PENALTIES: Number-Yards9-77
0-0FUMBLES: Number-Lost0-0
31:35:00TIME OF POSSESSION28:25:00
16Points9

Grand Valley State Holds On To Defeat Saginaw Valley State 16-9

GVSU ruined SVSU's homecoming, and likely the Cardinals' hopes for a conference title, with a 16-9 win Saturday in University Center, Michigan. 

SVSU Fight Ends With Fourth-Down Attempt

On fourth and 9, McKenzie's end zone pass to Foulkes is incomplete, forcing a turnover on downs and ending the Cardinals' chance to win the game. 

GVSU will kneel on it to run out the clock.

The game did not have a single turnover. 

Momentum Continues For Cardinals In Final Minutes

After the big connection from McKenzie to Foulkes, McKenzie hits redshirt freshman Joseph Walker for 18 yards, putting the Cardinals at the GVSU 22-yard line.

SVSU Converts On Fourth And 17 As Two-Minute Warning Arrives

The Cardinals convert on a fourth-and-17 pass attempt to stay alive against GVSU with two minutes left to play.

McKenzie connects with senior receiver Arron Foulkes for a 25-yard strike to keep SVSU in the game.

Saginaw Valley State Denied On Fourth-And-2 Attempt

The GVSU defense has a moment in the spotlight, stopping SVSU on a fourth-and-2 rushing play, to end the Cardinals' momentum and silence the homecoming crowd.

GVSU gets the ball back at its own 31-yard line with about 11 minutes left to play.

Grand Valley State Pulls Ahead Against SVSU, Lakers Lead 16-9

After a 17-yard rush from Moore, an illegal-use-of-hands penalty against SVSU gives Grand Valley State an opportunity to score on a first-and-10 opportunity from the SVSU 22-yard line.

Moore connects with senior tight end Gavin Cossou for the 22-yard score to put the Lakers ahead 16-9.

The Lakers go for two points and fail to convert. A penalty gives them another opportunity, and the SVSU drops Moore to deny them again. 

GVSU leads 16-9 with just under 14 minutes left in the game. 

Final Quarter Underway In 2024 Battle Of The Valleys, GVSU Leads 10-9

Only 15 minutes remain in the 2024 Battle of the Valleys between Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State.

The opportunity for an upset is there. Can the Cardinals get it done?

Watch Woods Punch It In For GVSU

It's all about that second effort!

GVSU Marches 50 Yards, Takes 10-9 Lead Against Host SVSU

The GVSU Lakers get some momentum in their ground game and are able to grind their way down the field to take a 10-9 lead over SVSU late in the third quarter.

The 11-play drive lasts just under six minutes and ends with sophomore running back Derrick Woods running in from a yard out to tie the game at 9-9. 

Mathew Bacik adds the extra point to put the Lakers ahead 10-9 with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.

A highlight of the drive was a 20-yard pass from Moore to sophomore receiver Kellen Reed on the second play. 

Second Half Underway In University Center, Michigan

Grand Valley gets the ball to start the second half against Saginaw Valley State.

The Lakers will start the half at their own 25-yard line, with quarterback Avery Moore back under center.

First-Half Stats From 2024 Battle Of The Valleys

GVSUStatsSVSU
4FIRST DOWNS10
4Passing3
0Rushing6
0Penalty1
14% (1 of 7)THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY25% (2 of 8)
0% (0 of 0)FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY0% (0 of 0)
26TOTAL PLAYS34
92TOTAL YARDS161
3.5AVG YDS/PLAY4.7
88NET YARDS PASSING46
6-10Completions-Attempts4-12
8.8Net yards per pass play3.8
4-24Sacked: Number-Yards0-0
0Had intercepted0
4NET YARDS RUSHING115
16Rushing Attempts22
0.3Average gain per rush5.2
4-168PUNTS: Number-Yards6-222
42Average37
29TOTAL RETURN YARDS50
2-5Punt Returns: Number-Yards0-0
1-24Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards2-50
0-0Interception Returns: Number-Yards0-0
5-42PENALTIES: Number-Yards3-35
0-0FUMBLES: Number-Lost0-0
13:16TIME OF POSSESSION16:44
3Points9

First Half Ends Quietly In SVSU-GVSU Battle, Cardinals Lead 9-3

The Saginaw Valley State defense has been stifling at home Saturday against the two-time defending GLIAC champion GVSU Lakers.

SVSU has held GVSU to just 92 total yards through the first half, with only 4 yards coming on the ground. The Lakers entered the game as the top-producing rushing team in the conference, averaging 303.5 yards per game. 

All four GVSU first downs have come through the air.

Watch SVSU Take The Lead Against GVSU

McKenzie gets it done for the Cardinals.

Saginaw Valley State On Top Against Grand Valley State, Cardinals Lead 

The Cardinals take advantage of 20 yards of penalties against GVSU and manage to find the end zone with an 18-yard touchdown run from redshirt freshman quarterback Mason McKenzie. The commentary was: "that was the RPO (run-pass option) run to perfection."

Saginaw Valley adds an extra point from junior kicker Rodrigo Castaneda and leads 9-3. 

The drive was six plays and 65 yards.

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the touchdown means the Cardinals will be punished 15 yards on the kickoff.

There's 13:09 remaining in the half.

First Quarter Ends In SVSU-GVSU Battle Of The Valleys 2024, Visitors Lead 3-2

Grand Valley leads 3-2 after the opening quarter of play at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium in University Center, Michigan. 

Grand Valley State Takes Lead With Field Goal

Redshirt freshman kicker Mathew Bacik gives Grand Valley State a 3-2 lead with a 34-yard field goal. 

There's 4:51 remaining in the first quarter. 

Saginaw Valley Inches From A Pair Of Interceptions

A second-and-13 pass from Moore nearly gets intercepted inside the 5-yard line, but it's ruled incomplete.

Moore's third-and-13 pass attempt from the SVSU 15-yard line almost gets picked off in the back of the end zone, but it also is ruled incomplete.

The Lakers are forced to attempt a field goal. 

Potential GVSU Touchdown Called Back

What looked to be a touchdown reception for senior receiver Cody Tierney is called back due to an ineligible receive/lineman down field.

Grand Valley State Reaches Red Zone

After opening the game with four plays for negative yardage, GVSU breaks into SVSU territory with a 38-yard completion from Moore to senior receiver Kyle Nott down the right sideline.

An 11-yard toss from Moore to Nott on the next play gets the Lakers to the SVSU 11-yard line.

Avery Moore Gets Start At QB For GVSU, Saginaw Valley Opens Scoring With Safety

Senior Avery Moore gets the start for Grand Valley State against SVSU. He is sacked for a loss of seven yards on the Lakers' first play. 

Senior defensive lineman Carson Berenyi gets credit for the play, which results in a safety and a 2-0 SVSU advantage.

Saginaw Valley State Forced To Punt On Opening Drive

SVSU's opening drive against GVSU is quick and results in a punt.

The Lakers take over on their own 7-yard line with 12:32 left in the opening quarter. 

Time To GOOOOO In the 2024 Battle Of The Valleys

Grand Valley State wins the coin toss on the road and defers to the second half. 

Saginaw Valley State gets the ball to start the battle and its 2024 homecoming game.

When Is The Grand Valley State Vs. Saginaw Valley State Football Game?

The Grand Valley State Lakers will take on the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals in their homecoming game at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium in University Center, Michigan, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. Eastern/2 p.m. Central.

How To Watch The Grand Valley State Vs. Saginaw Valley State Football Game

Football action is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app, including Grand Valley State vs. Saginaw Valley State football game during Week 8 of the 2024 college football season.

Replays and postgame highlights also will be available on both platforms. 

2024 Grand Valley State vs Saginaw Valley St.


SVSU Starting Lineups For GVSU Game

Offense:

Defense:

Fast Fact About The GVSU Lakers

The GVSU Lakers have won 18 consecutive GLIAC games, with their last conference loss coming more than three years ago. 

They were defeated by Ferris State on Oct. 16, 2021, by a score of 35-28 and failed to redeem themselves in the playoffs, where the eventual national champion Bulldogs got them again, 54-20 in the second round.

What Does Homecoming/Game Day Look Like At SVSU?

Curious what the day will look like at Saginaw Valley State leading up to the Cardinals’ 3 p.m. meeting with Grand Valley State? Check out the last bullet point!

Who Shined Last Week In The GLIAC?

Ferris State junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, Wayne State senior linebacker Carl Ware was selected as the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week and Grand Valley State sophomore wide receiver/returner Kellen Reed was awarded GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. 

See all the details: GLIAC Week 7 Players Of The Week

Week 8 Coming Up Next!

WEEK 8 COMING UP NEXT ‼️

D2 Football expert, Matt Cannizzaro, shares his picks & predictions ahead of Week 8.#GLIACFB | @GLIACsports https://t.co/fRSUhb4tYV

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) October 18, 2024

About Grand Valley State University Football

Grand Valley State quietly has been getting the job done again in 2024, cruising to a 6-0 start, while only scoring 34.33 points per game. 

Maybe that only seems low because the Lakers scored more than 40 points, and as many as 73, eight times last year, but it is more than 10 points per game less than Ferris State, which leads the conference in touchdowns (37) and total points (268).

GVSU also is second behind the Bulldogs in total yards, yards per game, yards allowed, touchdowns allowed and yards allowed per game. 

At the same time, the Lakers’ ground game is sound in 2024, producing a GLIAC-best 303.5 yards per contest – more than 50 yards better than Ferris State.

At this point, that’s nothing more than a jumble of numbers, and it’s wins and losses that matter most. Who knows, maybe being the second-best team on paper all year, and the team chosen in the preseason coaches poll to finish second in the conference will fuel the Lakers to their three-peat.

If the GVSU passing game, ranked sixth among the GLIAC’s eight teams, can click like the running game has, that could put the Lakers back above the rest.

Individually, however, GVSU’s sophomore running back Khalil Eichelberger leads the GLIAC in yards (545), yards per game (90.8), touchdowns (eight) and total points (48), while fellow sophomore Derrick Woods tops the conference in yards per carry (13.3).

Amazingly, in their 49-17 win over Northern Michigan last week, the Lakers only attempted 11 passes, completing five for 94 yards. Oh, and there was an interception, too. Even more incredibly, NMU was 0 for 5 on the day for zero passing yards. But these anomalies probably had to do with the consistent rain.

GVSU now leads the conference in passing defense, allowing just 135.2 yards per game in 2024.

How To Watch Grand Valley State University Football Games In 2024

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association and GVSU football home games will stream live on FloFootball and the FloSports app.

What Does GVSU Head Coach Scott Wooster Have To Say Ahead Of SVSU?

Grand Valley State head coach Scott Wooster talked about his team’s upcoming game against Saginaw Valley State. It’s the 2024 edition of the stories Battle of the Valleys. Hear more:

About Saginaw Valley State Football

In each of the last three seasons, Saginaw Valley State has suffered three losses in GLIAC play, with two each time being courtesy of GVSU and Ferris State. The last two years, Davenport has been an obstacle, too.

Despite the losses, the Cardinals have been showing progress since the COVID-canceled 2020 campaign, and they’re hanging with GLIAC giants GVSU and Ferris State this year.

SVSU is among the top three or four spots in most team-based offensive categories.

Defensively, senior defensive lineman Leonard Henry IV leads the GLIAC in tackles for loss (12.5), solo tackles (11), total sacks (eight) and solo sacks (seven), while junior defensive back Eli Gordon leads the conference with four interceptions. 

An item of note, SVSU is second in the conference in rush defense, allowing just 81.7 yards per game. 

Can the Cardinals slow the GVSU ground attack and force the Lakers to the air? Would shutting down the Grand Valley State running game do the trick for SVSU this week?

How To Watch Saginaw Valley State Football Games In 2024

GLIAC and SVSU football home games will stream live on FloFootball and the FloSports app.

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will be posted on both platforms.

Did You Know Saginaw Valley State Football Is Ranked?

Saginaw Valley State cracked the top 25 of the latest D2football.com Top 25 Poll, landing in the No. 23 spot.

However, the Cardinals just missed the mark in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll. They received votes but did not make the top 25. 

The complete AFCA poll is listed below.

Grand Valley State Football Schedule 2024

All Times Eastern

  • Sept. 5: GVSU 58, Central State 0 (W)
  • Sept.14: GVSU 24, Colorado State-Pueblo 21 (W)
  • Sept.21: GVSU 20, Wisconsin-La Crosse 13 (W)
  • Sept.28: GVSU 31, West Florida 7 (W)
  • Oct.5: GVSU 24, Davenport 7 (W)
  • Oct.12: GVSU 49, Northern Michigan 17 (W)
  • Oct.19: at Saginaw Valley State, 3 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Oct.26: vs. Ferris State, 3 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.2: at Michigan Tech, Noon (FloSports)
  • Nov.16: at Roosevelt, 2 p.m. (FloSports)

Saginaw Valley State Football Schedule 2024

All Times Eastern

  • Sept. 5: SVSU 38, Winona State 14 (W)
  • Sept.14: Northwood 10, SVSU 7 (L)
  • Sept.21: SVSU 37, Truman 14 (W)
  • Sept.28: SVSU 28, Indianapolis 24 (W)
  • Oct.5: SVSU 63, Northern Michigan 14 (W)
  • Oct.12: SVSU 27, Roosevelt 14 (W)
  • Oct.19: vs. Grand Valley State, 3 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Oct.26: at Wayne State, 1 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.2: vs. Davenport, 1 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.9: at Ferris State, 1 p.m. (FloSports)
  • Nov.16: vs. Michigan Tech, 1 p.m. (FloSports)

Grand Valley State University Football Roster For 2024

Here is where fans can find the GVSU football roster.

Saginaw Valley State University Football Roster For 2024

Here is where fans can find the SVSU football roster.

What Were Some Of The FCS Football Scores In Week 7 Of The 2024 Season?

Read more: NCAA Division II Scores, Biggest Upsets In Week 7 – Central Washington Falls

AFCA Division II Football Rankings For Week 8

Oct. 14, 2024

  1. Harding (Ark.) (30) - Prev. 1
  2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) - Prev. 2
  3. Valdosta St. (Ga.) - Prev. 3
  4. Ferris St. (Mich.) - Prev. 4
  5. Kutztown (Pa.) - Prev. 5
  6. Slippery Rock (Pa.) - Prev. 6
  7. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) - Prev. 7
  8. Western Colorado - Prev. 8
  9. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) - Prev. 10
  10. West Alabama - Prev. 11
  11. Central Oklahoma - Prev. 12
  12. Colorado School of Mines - Prev. 13
  13. Charleston (W.Va.) - Prev. 14
  14. Colorado St.-Pueblo - Prev. 16
  15. Minnesota St. - Prev. 15
  16. Emporia St. (Kan.) - Prev. 18
  17. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) - Prev. 17
  18. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) - Prev. 23
  19. Indianapolis (Ind.) - Prev. 21
  20. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) - Prev. 22
  21. Central Washington - Prev. 9
  22. Frostburg St. (Md.) - Prev. 24
  23. West Florida - NR
  24. Southern Arkansas - NR
  25. Henderson St. (Ark.) - NR

Dropped Out: Delta State (Miss.) (19), Findlay (Ohio) (20), Indiana (Pa.) (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Augustana (S.D.), 34; Delta St. (Miss.), 19; Virginia Union, 19; Findlay (Ohio), 17; New Haven (Conn.), 12; Wayne St. (Neb.), 12; Angelo St. (Tex.), 11; Colorado Mesa, 8; Emory & Henry (Va.), 8; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 8; Assumption (Mass.), 7; Limestone (S.C.), 7; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 7; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 6; Ashland (Ohio), 2; Davenport (Mich.), 2; Wingate (N.C.), 2; West Virginia St., 1.

Watch Division II Football On FloFootball

Here's the Division II broadcast schedule for FloFootball for Week 8 of the 2024 college football season. Subscribe to watch.

Saturday, Oct. 19

All Times Eastern

*GLIAC

When Do The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs Start?

The playoffs begin on Nov. 23 and end on Dec. 21 at District Stadium in McKinney, Texas. 

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

Watch The 2024 College Football Season On FloFootball 

FloFootball is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloFootball schedule page for the latest games. 

Join The College Football Conversation