Looking to build off from its first win of the season, the Saginaw Valley football team traveled to Midland on Saturday to take on the Northwood Timberwolves in the 41st annual Axe Bowl.
After 60 minutes of football – and an hour-long weather delay – SVSU came away with a 21-14 loss, only its second loss in the Axe Bowl since head coach Jim Collins took over the team in 2007.
Collins was brief on the outcome.
“I thought our team played hard and never gave up, but we did not make enough plays needed to win the game and Northwood did,” he said.
Both offenses traded punts to start the game. SVSU was able to drive deep into Northwood territory on its the second possession of the game. On fourth down and long, quarterback Brad Odeman was able to find tight end Will Farr for the conversion. The Cardinals found themselves settling for a field goal try by Alex Kenrick four plays later. However, a strong push by the Timberwolves front led to a blocked kick. It was Kenrick’s first missed field goal attempt on the year. Heading into the second quarter, the game remained scoreless.
Northwood moved the ball down the field on the ensuing possession. The drive was highlighted by a 55-yard pass from Timberwolves’ quarterback Mark Morris to wide receiver Devonta Elzy. A couple plays later, Northwood capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run from tailback Jared Briguglio. The score made it 7-0, Timberwolves.
SVSU punted on its next possession, but the defense made sure to get the ball back. On an errant throw under pressure, Morris’ pass found Cardinals’ defensive back Matt McKoy. Taking over at the six-yard line, Odeman quickly found Farr to give the offense breathing room. On a big third down later in the drive, the junior quarterback once again looked to his safety valve, finding Farr for a first down across the middle. The drive would eventually stall, and SVSU punted the ball back to Northwood. The Cardinals would end up with one more chance before halftime, but a last-second Hail Mary pass fell incomplete.
SVSU went three-and-out on its first possession of the second half. Looking to extend its lead, the Northwood offense came out running on all cylinders. Behind the legs of Briguglio, the Timberwolves once again found the end zone on the ground. Following the score, it was 14-0, Northwood. Brigulio would finish the day with 106 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns.
Late in the third quarter, the Timberwolves once again found themselves looking to add to their lead. It appeared they scored on one play, but a holding penalty negated the score. Northwood would have to settle for a field goal attempt. The kick sailed left, as a heavy downpour handed an assist to the Cardinals’ defense.
Taking over at the 20-yard line, the SVSU offense looked to go for the Timberwolves’ jugular on the next play. Odeman found Farr running free down the seam for an 80-yard catch-and-run for the score. The play was the longest play from scrimmage for SVSU on the year and showed Farr’s ability as a pass catcher. He’d finish the day with four grabs for 124 yards and the score. The sophomore has grown into a security blanket for Odeman lately, pulling in 10 of his 11 receptions this year in the month of October.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Northwood had the 14-7 lead over the Cardinals. Any momentum gained by SVSU was quickly put on hold, as lightning in the area led to a 30-minute delay in the game. Part way into the delay, more lightning suspended the game even longer.
The Cardinals started with the ball following the hour-long delay. A three-and-out gave the ball back to the Timberwolves, and when it appeared that Northwood would also be going three-and-out, a fake punt turned into a big first down for the home team. The Timberwolves would add to their lead two plays later on a 20-yard touchdown run from Morris, making it 21-7.
SVSU took the ball on its next drive needing a score. The offense moved down the field behind the running and receiving abilities of Malik Washington. Odeman looked to cut into the deficit with a big play, lofting the ball to receiver Marq Johnson in the end zone. A defender appeared to have the interception on the underthrown ball, but Johnson seemed to be a man among boys, simply taking the ball from the defender’s hands for the touchdown. Odeman would finish the day going 16-of-29 for 235 yards and two scores. Johnson ended the game with just two grabs for 31 yards. The score made it 21-14, Northwood.
The Timberwolves took the ball on their next possession and drove the length of the field, milking the clock and cementing the victory without giving the Cardinals a chance to tie it up.
The Axe was handed back to the Timberwolves for the first time in four years.
Despite the loss, there were positives to take from the game. SVSU went the entirety of the game without drawing a flag. That came after being called for 13 in last week’s win over Lake Erie College. The Cardinals also did not turn the football over.
SVSU played without its deep threat and best wide receiver, Bryan Fobbs. With the senior out, Max Corcoran stepped up, leading the team with five snags for 42 yards. The loss drops the Cardinals to 1-7 on the year, including 1-6 in the GLIAC.
SVSU will look to rebound next week against the Hillsdale Chargers, a conference opponent who will come into the game with a 2-6 record.
It’s fitting that both teams look to be very similar heading into next week’s contest, as the overall record between the two is an 18-18 tie.