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Printer-Friendly Mode28-point first quarter leads SVSU
FOOTBALL
October 26, 2009 —
With yet another road game in the books, another win was added to the Cardinals record this season.
For the sixth time in nine games, SVSU found itself playing on the road. For the seventh time in those nine games, the Cards’ found themselves coming out on top.
The Cardinals traveled to Michigan Tech to take on the Huskies and started the game off just as they wanted to: fast.
After the first quarter, the Cards’ were leading 28-0 in what looked like would turn out to be a laugher. Michigan Tech fought until the very end, although it wasn’t enough as the Cardinals won 38-28.
Junior quarterback Charles Dowdell believes it was a team effort that propelled the Cardinals to victory.
“In the first quarter especially, I felt like we were clicking on all cylinders,” Dowdell said. “The offense was moving the ball, special teams scored a touchdown, and the defense was getting key stops.”
The special teams touchdown Dowdell was referring to was a blocked punt that senior defensive end Jordan Barley returned three yards for a touchdown. The special teams touchdown gave the Cardinals an early 14-0 lead, after Dowdell had a 35-yard touchdown run of his own to open the scoring.
Junior running back Xavier Walker had yet another big game, scoring the Cardinals’ third touchdown of the game, courtesy of a three-yard run.
Dowdell completed the first quarter scoring, this time through the air, with a 19-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Andrew Beaver.
Throughout the day, SVSU was able to move the ball both through the air and on the ground with ease. The rushing game, in particular, had a big game for the Cardinals as Walker accounted for 111 yards on 18 carries. Dowdell had a big game on the ground as well, rushing for 72 yards on nine carries. Dowdell was quick to give all the credit to the offensive line.
“Everything goes to the o-line,” Dowdell said. “They work hard in practice everyday and it shows on Saturdays. It also helps when the defense can’t figure out which guy to key on. When Xavier is getting big runs, they try to stop him, which opens everything up for me.”
The second quarter featured Michigan Tech trying to get back into the game. They scored the only two touchdowns of the quarter, making the score 28-14 heading into halftime.
After such an explosive first quarter, the Cardinals were relatively quiet the remainder of the game. They managed to tack on a touchdown in the third quarter, a 19-yard rush by Dowdell to give them a little more breathing room. The Cardinal touchdown was the only points scored by either team in the third quarter.
Michigan Tech entered the game with a 1-6 record, although the Cardinals knew that it was going to be a difficult game.
“We knew going into the game that Tech plays good at home, especially late in the season when it’s cold,” Dowdell said. “It wasn’t hard to get motivated because we knew that another loss could knock us out of playoff contention. The team went into the game focused and ready to play.”
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals added a 20-yard field goal by Austin Borchard in between two Tech touchdowns, which completed the scoring.
While Dowdell was happy to come out with the win, he recognized the fact that the Cardinals need to do a better job of closing out games.
“We have to make sure we stay focused when we get up big like that,” Dowdell said. “I think you could see everybody hit cruise control after the first quarter. We just have to make sure we do a better job of putting the game away.”
Although the Cardinals continued to put up points as they have in recent weeks, the Huskies actually outgained the Cards’ offensively, albeit by a slight 365-348 advantage.
SVSU was once again clutch in the red zone, as they scored on all four of their red zone possessions.
Leading the way defensively for the Cardinals was senior linebacker John Jacobs. His 13 total tackles made him the only player from either team to have double-digit tackles. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss.
With the brutal road schedule finally complete, the Cardinals are excited to be playing in front of a home crowd for the final two games of the season.
“With the road trips ending, especially after a ten-hour trip to Michigan Tech, we’re all excited to be at home for the last couple of games,” Dowdell said. “I think as a team, we play a lot better at home.”
With a 5-1 record on the road and a 2-1 record at home, it looks as if the Cardinals are comfortable playing anywhere.