UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University football team closed the regular season with a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest against Michigan Tech on Senior Day on Saturday at Wickes Stadium.

After a slow start on offense for both teams, the game opened up in the second half. SVSU used big plays in the passing game and on defense to secure a 35-30 win on Senior Day.

First Quarter:

• Darius Willis caught a 61-yard pass from Will Ark to set up a 24-yard field goal on the opening drive of the game to put the Huskies up 3-0.
• After a 38-yard reception to Derrick Hinton Jr., the Cardinals fumbled on their first drive of the contest.
• The next six possessions ended in punts as the quarter ended with MTU up 3-0.

Second Quarter:

• SVSU was set up at its own 40-yard line after forcing a turnover on downs.
• The Cardinals went 60 yards on 10 plays to take the lead on a two-yard touchdown run by Tyler Amos.
• The Cardinals looked to get the ball right back after a Micah Cretsinger interception, but the play was called back on a penalty.
• MTU kept the ball and marched 62-yards on eight plays. The drive was capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Ark to Willis, putting the Huskies up 9-7 after a missed extra point.
• The Cardinals drove down to the MTU red zone late in the second, but a Brito pass was intercepted, and the Huskies took a two-point lead into the break.

Third Quarter:

• Ark hit Willis again for a score on the opening drive of the second half, this one from 52 yards out to put MTU up 16-7 early in the third.
• The next possession for the Cardinals ended in the second interception thrown by Brito.
• SVSU cut into the MTU lead with a 65-yard, 11-play drive ending in a 4-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Malcome to make the deficit 16-14 with four minutes to play in the third.
• After a quick three-and-out by MTU, SVSU went back in front on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Brito to Hinton Jr. and SVSU led 21-16 heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter:

• The Cardinals extended their lead early in the fourth with a 68-yard interception return for a score by Micah Cretsinger to make it 28-16.
• MTU answered right back with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Ark.
• The Cardinals seemingly put the game away with a six-minute drive that ended with the second touchdown run of the game by Amos to make it 35-23 in favor of SVSU.
• MTU did not go away, scoring quickly on the third touchdown pass of the game for Ark, this one to Ethan Champney.
• The ensuing onside kick was nearly scooped up by the Huskies, but SVSU recovered and secured the win.

Inside the Box Score:

• SVSU totaled 439 yards of offense compared to 394 for MTU.
• Brito finished 27-for-36 for 324 yards passing and one score.
• Hinton Jr. finished with 13 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown.
• Malcome led all rushers with 11 carries for 46 yards and a score.
• Amos finished with 14 carries for 39 yards and two touchdowns.
• Trevor Nowaske led the defense with 11 tackles, including one for a loss.
• Cretsinger recorded five tackles, forced a fumble, and had an interception returned for a touchdown.

Up Next:

The Cardinals close the regular season with a record of 8-3 overall and 3-3 in the GLIAC. With the win, SVSU keeps its hope for an at-large NCAA DII Playoff bid alive.