Football | 10/27/2022 12:42:00 PM

Game 8: #18 Davenport (7-0, 3-0 GLIAC) at #23 Saginaw Valley State (6-2, 1-2 GLIAC)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 29
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: University Center, Mich.
Stadium: Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium
Surface: Artificial Turf
Tickets: ETix.com
Live Stats: svsucardinals.com | Live Stats

Live Video: FloSports
Announcers: Rick Berkey (play-by-play), Bill Rohn (analyst)

Radio: Magic 104.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Pregame Show: Begins at 12:15 p.m.

All-Time Series: DU trails 3-1
Series in University Center: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: SVSU 24-3 (2021)
Current Series Streak: SVSU (W1)

OPENING DRIVE
● The Panthers have climbed to No. 18 in Division II, up four spots from a week ago, after a 58-14 win over Lincoln (Calif.) at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex ending a six-week period in which the Panthers had five home games. DU improved to 7-0 overall and set the season record for wins in the process. The 58 points scored against the Oaklanders marked the second most in school history and was the third time this season and just the fourth time in school history eclipsing 50 points. The Panthers set a school record with seven rushing touchdowns breaking the mark set six years ago at Kentucky Christian. Five different running backs found the end zone in the contest. After a close 17-14 game early in the second quarter, Davenport finished the game with 41 straight points. Davenport this week has also been listed as one of 10 teams in the NCAA Super Region 3 rankings which are used to determine the postseason.
● The Panthers had success the last time these teams met in University Center. DU picked up a 33-23 win to conclude the 2019 season. They outscored the Cardinals 17-0 in the fourth quarter as Nate Couturier had a 43-yard punt return to paydirt and Deondre Ford scored on a two-yard touchdown run for the winning score.
● Saginaw Valley State and Davenport will play in the only top 25 matchup in Division II this week and it's the first time in school history for a top 25 showdown. The Cardinals are coming off a 21-14 road win at Wayne State last Saturday and needed a nine-yard touchdown run by Derrick Hinton, Jr. with 55 seconds left to pull out the win. SVSU passed for under 100 yards for the second time this season (98 yards). The defense is stout allowing 16.1 points per game and the team has 14 interceptions including at least one in each contest.

DAVENPORT NOTEBOOK
● Darius Lynaum had a breakout game on the defensive line against Lincoln and was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week. He becomes the first Panther to earn that award this season and is the first since Kye Black on Sept. 24, 2018. Lynaum recorded five tackles including three tackles for loss and two sacks. His sack late in the first quarter also resulted in a fumble that DU recovered at the LU 20-yard line and led to a touchdown for a 17-7 lead.
● The Davenport defense had a strong showing in terms of total yardage allowed last Saturday. Lincoln gained just 207 total yards (one shy of 206 gained by Northwood) and averaged 2.8 yards per play. The defense forced four turnovers including three fumbles that were recovered (most in a game at DU). Lincoln killed themselves on several occasions with 18 penalties for 142 yards.
● Brandon Gielow booted a 41-yard field goal to tie his season long and remains perfect this season going 6-for-6 in field goal attempts. He has connected twice from 20-29 yards, 30-39 yards, and 40-plus yards.
● Jaier Harden led the team with 61 rushing yards and scored his first two rushing touchdowns of the season next week. He ranks third on the team with 168 rushing yards.
● Davenport enters this week ranked 18th in Division II in third-down conversions (47.1 percent) and that also leads the GLIAC. The Panthers also rank 22nd nationally and first in the conference in passing offense (262.7 yards per game). The Panthers have made the most of their trips into the red zone and are seventh nationally and first in the GLIAC scoring 91.9 percent of the time. The offensive numbers continue to impress as DU ranks ninth nationally and first in the league averaging 40.9 points per game. The defense has also been opportunistic ranking 12th nationally and first in the GLIAC with 19 takeaways. Malik Barrow and Austin Alward have formed a fantastic tandem on the defensive line. Barrow is second in the league and Alward fourth in tackles for loss.