CALEDONIA, Mich. — Davenport University football secured a big GLIAC 31-17 victory over Saginaw Valley State on Saturday at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. Davenport's defense was a key factor, recording three interceptions, while their special teams contributed with a punt return touchdown. This victory also evened up the all-time series between Davenport and Saginaw Valley at 4-4.
Davenport established an early lead in the first quarter, with
Dom Grguric blocking a Cardinals punt and recovering it in the end zone for a touchdown at the 13:39 mark.
Ian Jenkins successfully converted the extra point to give Davenport a 7–0 advantage. The Cardinals responded with a 65-yard drive, capped by a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Nick Patterson, tying the game at 7–7 with 6:35 remaining. Davenport regained the lead with 52 seconds left in the quarter, as
D'Wan Mathis connected with
Clint Walker for a 4-yard touchdown pass, followed by another successful PAT by Jenkins, bringing the score to 14–7.
Kennedy Nelson's sack on Mason McKenzie for a 6-yard loss set the tone early in the second quarter as their drive stalled out.
Antonio Mayes made a big play in the secondary on the next Cardinal possession as he intercepted McKenzie's pass at the SVSU 5-yard line and returned it 43 yards to give Davenport strong field position. This turnover led to a 29-yard field goal by Jenkins, extending Davenport's lead to 17-7 with 4:11 remaining in the second quarter. The Cardinals' attempt to respond was thwarted when Teagen Lenderink's 39-yard field goal was blocked by
Mark Gorbatenko with just 42 seconds left in the half.
The third quarter saw a series of strategic plays from both teams. The Cardinals' Lenderink initiated the scoring in the period on their first drive with a successful 26-yard field goal at 8:26, reducing Davenport's lead to 17-10. Davenport responded with a determined drive, where
Cephus Harris scored a one-yard touchdown run (16th of the season), extending their lead to 24-10 after Jenkins' extra point. The Panther drive was four plays and 41 yards and used 1:58 off the clock. The Cardinals quickly answered back with a flea-flicker deep 64-yard touchdown pass from McKenzie to Zarek Zelinski, narrowing the gap to 24-17 with 1:46 left in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Mathis connected with
Keonta Nixon for a 36-yard touchdown pass at the 11:50 mark, extending Davenport's lead to 31-17. Nixon's performance was notable as he achieved a season-high 115 receiving yards during the game on just three catches. McKenzie attempted to rally his team through the air and led the Cardinals inside the red zone on a drive that started with 7:48 left in the game. The Cardinals went to a trick play on a wide receiver pass back to McKenzie, but it was intercepted in the end zone by
Jamar Mills for a touchback and cemented the victory. The Panthers' defense was formidable, achieving a season-high four quarterback sacks throughout the game.
D'Angelo Bellamy was a standout on defense with a season-high 12 tackles.
Kennedy Nelson contributed seven tackles, including three tackles for loss featuring a sack. Davenport was outgained 393-301 in the game, but limited SVSU to 5-of-13 on third down.
In their next game, Davenport (5-3, 4-2) will face Northern Michigan (1-8, 1-5) for the second time this season in a non-conference contest on Saturday, Nov. 8 at noon.
