Much like last year, Saginaw Valley will likely go as their “J.J.’s” go. Quarterback Jonathon Jennings led the GLIAC in passing in 2012 notching just short of 299 yards per game. And of course, his primary target was Jeff Janis, who led the nation in receiving on his way to GLIAC Back of the Year plaudits. This pair may once again be the most feared pitch/catch combo on the league…and maybe the country. They guided the Cardinals to an 8-3 mark last year and share of the North Division crown. Add in another seven returning starters (including the entire offensive line), and the Cardinal faithful should be very excited about what their club could do this year.
As if that weren’t enough, coach Jim Collins and his staff welcome back eight returning starters on defense. Senior Brian Johnson was second on the team in tackles last year with 102, and he will lead a unit that finished in the middle of the league in scoring and total defense. Let’s face it, if the Cardinal offense is able to put up any kind of similar numbers to last year the defense will not be expected to do the majority of the heavy lifting.
Much like a large number of its North Division brethren, the Cardinals face a difficult schedule. They open at perennial MIAA and national power Northwest Missouri State, and also face trips to Findlay and Ferris in the first half of the year. Upon reaching November they’ll make a trip to Houghton to face Tech, and will close the season at Grand Valley in a rematch of last year’s “instant classic”.