Saginaw Valley State (6-2, 5-2) behind the outstanding defensive play of senior LBs John Jacobs and Mike LeVand crushed the visiting Ashland Eagles (4-4, 4-3) 42-14. After a wild 1st quarter where AU had a 100-yard KO return by sophomore speedster Carlin Isles and a 75-yard TD pass from Billy Cundiff to senior WR Nick Bellanco and two SVSU rushing scores, the Cards defense settled-in and limited AU to just 36 yards rushing in 27 attempts, including 6 Cundiff sacks. Senior Indiana State-transfer QB Charles Dowdell ran for 74 yards and 1 TD and passed for 206 more yards and another TD in the win. The Cardinals controlled the ball for 36 minutes compared to just 24 for Ashland.

College: Ashland University Conference: GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Billy Cundiff 17 6' 1.6" 219 4.58 QB 2010

Cundiff was sacked 6 times today and forced to run to avoid the sack on several other occasions. Despite the pressure, he was able to complete 26 of 38 for 263 yards, including a beautifully thrown fade to WR Bellanco for a 75-yard TD. The Eagles inability to establish a ground game allowed the SVSU defense to really target Cundiff, who displayed decent decision-making and avoided throwing an INT despite heavy pressure. On the negative side, Cundiff needs to "take some chances" when his team is down to allow his WRs to make plays and get his team back in it.

GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Joe Horn 7 5' 11.9" 186 4.40 WR 2011

Horn only had 5 balls thrown his way today and he caught 4 for 28 yards (and the one he didn't catch was deflected by DB Carlton Downs). As the GLIAC Offensive POW last week, Horn was double covered most of the day and very limited in what he could show. He continues to play on special teams and making good downfield block contact. It would be interesting to see how he would contribute with more touches (jet sweeps, reverses, etc.)

GRADE: NEUTRAL

College: Saginaw Valley State University Conference: GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn

John Jacobs 34 6' 1.4" 234 4.60 LB 2010

Jacobs became the SVSU second all-time career tackler today with 372 behind former NFL LB John DiGiorgio who had 462 in his stellar career at SVSU. Jacobs had 15 tackles (4 solo) with 0.5 TFLs (he leads the all-time TFL list at SVSU with 50.5) against the Eagles. He plays downhill and displays excellent ability to shed blockers and make the tackle - very enthusiastic and good field leadership. He may be a tad small to play ILB at the next level, but he also has good speed (and 4 INTS) in coverage, so OLB is a definite possibility. He is unanimously regarded as one of the best ever in the GLIAC (he leads the conference with 12.1 TPG) - I think he would make an excellent choice in the 6-7th round, as he could also become a special teams asset.

GRADE: VERY POSITIVE

Mike LeVand 37 6' 2.0" 235 4.65 LB 2010

LeVand and Jacobs are 'bookends' in the middle of the SVSU defense (he is 3rd in the GLIAC with 10.9 TPG). LeVand is used more in the pass rush (sporting 8.0 sacks this season) and Jacobs more in coverage. LeVand had 11 tackles with 1.5 sacks of Cundiff. He also is able to shed and tackle, and is constantly moving upfield. Lots of energy - a 'great motor.' He is strong, but slightly slower than Jacobs - I'm not sure if he would be as strong at OLB at the next level because of his speed. I definitely think he could be a CFL/UFL starter and work his way up. Worth an invitation to camp as an undrafted free agent.

GRADE: VERY POSITIVE

Galen Stone 85 6' 2" 235 4.65 TE 2010

Stone is very physical and is listed as a TE (he was 1st Team GLIAC TE in '08) although he is often in the WR position and moves very well with good hands. He plays very physically and is dominant in downfield blocking and is a soid college receiver - today he caught 6 for 75 yards and 1 TD on a QB boot pass to him from his TE spot - he also ran a reverse for 8 yards from his WR spot. He does well blocking off the line, but he could not compete at his size in the NFL at TE. He could possibly play at WR, but I just don't think he has the speed to make the cut at the next level. Perhaps a practice squad player, but without significant improvement in speed, I don't see him going far.

GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES:

Ashland DB/RB Carlin Isles had a 100-yard kick-return for a TD today - it is his 2nd in his career ... SVSU senior punter Kurtis Fournier (6-4, 210) is one to watch (14 of 29 are inside the 20 this season) - he has tremendous hang-time and put 2 of his 4 punts inside the 20 - AU returned none of his punts ...

Next week, Ashland (4-4, 4-3) hosts Grand Valley (7-1, 6-1) and Saginaw Valley (6-2, 5-2) travels to Michigan Tech (1-6, 1-6).