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Printer-Friendly ModeCards miss NCAA playoffs
November 12, 2007 —
After finishing the 2007 season with a 7-3 record, the Cardinals narrowly missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
Going into last week’s Grand Valley game after a narrow 29-24 victory at Indianapolis, the Cards needed a win against their cross state rivals, as well as a victory in their final game against Hillsdale to earn a position in post-season play. However, after coming up short in a 21-10 loss to the Lakers – who won their games by an average of 29.6 points, making the Cardinals by far their toughest opponent of the season. However, the loss put SVSU’s playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
The team lost their opener to Ashland, who would go on to finish second in the GLIAC behind Grand Valley, but followed the defeat with a three game win streak, including a 49-7 road victory at Gannon. However, the team ran into trouble in the Axe Bowl against Northwood, when they allowed 410 yards on the ground and lost 28-10.
The Northwood loss was followed by a 44-7 route in the homecoming game against Findlay, and by another convincing 33-16 win at home against Michigan Tech. With this, coupled with the tight victory at Indianapolis, the Cardinals found themselves with a respectable 6-2 record going into to their rivalry game against the Lakers.
However, in with football’s short season, early losses will come back to haunt a team late in the year. Such was the case for the Cardinals this year, as they headed into Grand Valley with previous losses, meaning they would have to win out in order to make the playoffs.
Despite losing to Grand Valley, the Cardinals were able to finish the season on a high note, when they were able to hold off Hillsdale and go on to a 24-21 victory, rounding their record off at 7-3.
This season, the Cardinals proved the could play solid defense, allowing 20.6 points per game, which was good enough for second in the GLIAC. The defense also posted two players who finished top 10 in tackles. Senior linebacker Derek Volmering finished first with 11.8 per game, 118 total, and defensive linemen Josh Miller finished 10th with 8.6 per game, 86 total. Miller also finished first in sacks, with 9.5 total. Fellow defensive linemen, sophomore Mike LeVand tied for second with 7.5.
On the other side of the ball, senior quarterback Chris Dougherty finished third in pass yards, with 2309, and third in total yards, with 2408. Dougherty was efficient this season in the passing game as well, throwing 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions while completing 63.9 percent of his passes, giving him a 145.2 efficiency rating, which was good enough for fifth in the GLIAC.
Dougherty’s favorite target this season proved to be senior wideout Ric Cottengim, who hauled in 82.8 receiving yards per game, placing him fifth in the GLIAC.