#10 SAGINAW VALLEY CARDINALS

THE CARDINALS OF SAGINAW VALLEY STATE had a disappointing 2006 campaign after battling for the GLIAC title for several years prior. Head Coach Randy Awrey begins his ninth season and looks to improve on last year’s 6-4 record. They return several GLIAC All-Conference honorees including first team selection wide receiver Ric Cottengim and second-team honorees cornerback Matt Black and linebacker Derek Volmering. Ric Cottengim, a senior, ranked first in the conference with 5.2 catches per game and also ranked second in the league with 13 touchdown catches making the First Team for the first time. Cottengim had four 100-yard games this season and his 13 touchdowns rank second for a season at SVSU. Rising junior Matt Black did a little bit of everything for the Cardinals in 2006 earning Second Team honors. Black made 42 tackles and also had five breakups and one interception this season. In addition, he returned eight kickoffs for 203 yards including an 85-yard TD against Hillsdale in the season finale. Derek Volmering, a senior, led the team in tackles with 89 and finished the season with seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. With a strong signing class, the Cardinals are set to be back in old form as they open the all-GLIAC schedule against Ashland. The chance avenge last season losses begins at home the third week of the season against Ferris State before traveling the following week to Northern Michigan. Michigan Tech visits in mid-October, two weeks before the clash with rival and two-time National Champion, Grand Valley State.