UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. -- The Wayne State University football team (1-7 overall, 1-3 GLIAC) took an early 10-0 lead, but the host Saginaw Valley State Cardinals (5-3 overall, 2-2 GLIAC) scored the next 34 points to post a 41-25 win over the visiting Warriors Saturday afternoon at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter
Wayne State took the opening kickoff and went 59 yards in 11 plays with freshman running back Myren Harris (Clinton Township, Mich. / Chippewa Valley) tossing a two-yard scoring pass to senior tight end Nick Poterack (Byron Center, Mich.) out of the wildcat formation.  Sophomore Darrin King II (Inkster, Mich. / Detroit Country Day) had a 36-yard kickoff return to start the contest and the Warriors went 3-for-3 on third down during the drive.  It was Poterack's second touchdown reception of the season.

After a three-and-out by the Cardinals, WSU had a seven-play drive culminating in a 40-yard field goal by freshman Griffin Milovanski (Saugatuck, Mich.).  Sophomore Jesse Prewitt III (Columbus, Ohio / Northland) had a 42-yard reception on a third-and-seven to put Wayne State in scoring position.

Following an exchange of punts, SVSU's Isaiah Johnson-Mack hauled in a 31-yard pass from Colby Newburg on the first play of the drive.  Three plays later, Newburg teamed with Chad Gailliard on a 16-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the second quarter.

Second Quarter
On the Warriors first drive of the second period, Harris was stopped for a yard loss on third-and-one and Milovanski's punt traveled just 12 yards.  Saginaw Valley garnered one first down but a holding penalty led to a 34-yard field goal by Connor Luksic to knot the game at 10-10 with 8:30 remaining in the first half.

Wayne State was unable to earn a first down as a dropped pass on third down led to a punt that Cardinal Derrick Hinton returned 25 yards to the SVSU 43.  On the 11th play of the drive, Mike O'Horo scored on a six-yard keeper up the middle with 2:26 left before intermission.

Third Quarter
Saginaw Valley extended its lead to 24-10 on the first drive of the second half with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped off by a eight-yard touchdown scamper around the left end by Tommy Scott.

The next four drives (two for each team) ended with a punt.

Fourth Quarter
Wayne State failed to convert on fourth down just inside SVSU territory on the first play of the final stanza.

The Cardinals played the field position game pinning the Warriors deep at their own five yard line on a punt.  Even though Milovanski had a 45-yard punt out of his own end zone, Saginaw Valley took possession at midfield following a seven-yard punt return.

SVSU added to its lead with an eight-play, 50-yard touchdown drive with a Tyler Amos scoring on an 11-yard run around left end.

On WSU's first play, junior quarterback Chase Churchill (Richmond, Mich.) was picked off for the third consecutive game.  Even though the Wayne State defense forced a three-and-out, Luksic connected on a 48-yard field goal attempt with 6:06 left increasing SVSU's advantage to 34-10.

True freshman Te'Avion Warren (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Davison) had a 20-yard kickoff return to the WSU 42.  Sophomore wide receiver Trevonte Davis (Flint, Mich. / Hamady) had three receptions for 52 yards on the drive leading to five-yard touchdown pass from Churchill to Poterack.  Churchill took it himself on the two-point conversion to cut the WSU deficit to 34-18.

After an onside kick by WSU bounced off an SVSU member of the "hands" team, the Cardinals tacked on another touchdown as O'Horo scored on a 24-yard keeper on fourth-and-one.

The Warriors drove 72 yards in nine plays with Prewitt III hauling in a 26-yard scoring pass from Churchill on third-and-25.

TEAM STATS
Saginaw Valley held a 359-301 edge in total offense, including a 236-81 margin in rushing yards.  

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Harris led the WSU ground attack with 18 carries for 53 yards, while Kendall Williams (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Farmington) accumulated 35 yards on seven carries.  Churchill was 18-of-37 for 218 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.  Prewitt finished with three receptions for 73 yards, while Davis added five catches for 64 yards.

LEADING THE CARDINALS
Scott led SVSU with 71 yards on 16 attempts, while Newburg contributed 66 yards on 13 carries.  Newburg completed 10-fo-19 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown.  Johnson-Mack had game-high totals of six receptions for 92 yards.

UP NEXT
Wayne State returns to Adams Field to begin a two-game homestand.  The Northwood Timberwolves visit Midtown Detroit for a 6 p.m. kickoff next Saturday (Oct. 30).