University Center, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University football team looks to improve upon its 8-3 overall record a year ago and climb towards a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conferene (GLIAC) Championship and a deep run into the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
The Cardinals definitely have experience hanging on their side in 2013, returning a plethora of starters on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, signal-caller Jonathon Jennings is one of nine returning starters. He returns for his senior campaign, his third as the team's full-time starter. Jennings garnered Second Team All-GLIAC honors in 2012 after throwing for 3,282 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was the team's second-leading rusher as well, gaining 291 yards on the ground and scoring six touchdowns.
His number one target, Jeff Janis, is back for his senior season after posting a record-setting 2012 campaign. Janis had 106 catches for 1,635 yards and 17 touchdowns and set GLIAC records for yards in a single game (300) and receptions in a game (18), as well as shattering school records for receptions and receiving yards in a single season. He was named to the First Team All-GLIAC Team and was named the "Offensive Back of the Year". Janis also earned recognition from the Daktronics, Inc. and AP Little America All-American teams.
Lining up alongside Janis will be fellow seniors Mark Thrash and Michael Albrecht. Thrash posted 49 receptions for 525 yards while Albrecht had 42 catches for 448 yards and four scores. Both wideouts were honored with All-GLIAC honorable mention accolades.
The Cardinals also return all five starting offensive linemen from last season, anchored by Second Team All-GLIAC honoree in senior Christian Babini. Fellow senior Tevon Conrad will also be relied on heavily, coming off a 2012 season where he earned All-GLIAC honorable mention honors.
Senior defensive end Ryan Busch (2nd Team) and senior linebacker Brian Johnson (Honorable Mention) come-off of all-conference seasons in 2012 and return to anchor a Cardinal defense that returns eight starters. Johnson posted 102 tackles last year with a pair of sacks and a forced fumble. Busch had 49 tackles from the defensive end position with two sacks.
The defense also returns senior Jon Bryant, who had 73 tackles from the safety position and moves over to fill the void left by Jeff Heath at strong safety. Seniors Mason Duke, who had 40 tackles in 2012 and a team-high 4.5 sacks, and Deangelo Parris, who posted 51 tackles on the year, also return for SVSU. Juniors Will Schwarz, David Toussaint and Major Metcalf also return to help shore-up the Cardinal defense.
On special teams, SVSU returns junior placekicker Scott Stanford. Stanford was good on 13 field goals last season for SVSU and was a perfect 45-of-45 on extra point attempts.
The Cardinals, ranked 22nd in the AFCA Division II Preseason Poll, begin the season on the road at Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats enter the matchup with SVSU ranked 4th in the poll. The Sept. 5th contest is set to begin at 7:30 pm eastern standard time.
