You know how it goes in the GLIAC. One minute you’re celebrating a massive upset in Allendale, and the next, you’re staring down a double-overtime heartbreaker in your own backyard. That’s basically the 2025 season in a nutshell for anyone following the Saginaw Valley football schedule. If you only check the final scores on Saturday nights, you're missing the actual story of how this season shifted the power balance in Michigan Division II football.
The Cardinals finished 6-5. On paper? Looks average. In reality? It was a wild ride that included ending a five-game slide against their biggest rival and pushing the top-ranked team in the country to the absolute edge.
The Highs and Lows of the 2025 Saginaw Valley Football Schedule
The season started with a bit of a thud. Losing the Red Feather Game to Northeastern State (28-21) wasn't exactly the "anniversary season" start anyone wanted. But things got weird—and exciting—fast.
By the time October rolled around, the Cardinals were a completely different team. They dismantled Northern Michigan for Homecoming and then did something most people thought was impossible: they went into Lubbers Stadium and beat #7 Grand Valley State 20-19. That "Battle of the Valleys" win wasn't just a fluke; it was a statement.
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Honestly, the middle of the Saginaw Valley football schedule was where the magic happened. They went on a four-game tear, beating Roosevelt, GVSU, and Wayne State back-to-back. If you were sitting in the stands at Wickes Memorial Stadium during that stretch, you felt like this was the year the Cardinals might actually take the whole conference.
Breaking Down the Key Matchups
- The Axe Bowl Disappointment: September 13 was rough. Losing 38-14 to Northwood at home hurt, especially since it was the 50th installment of the rivalry.
- The GVSU Shocker: October 18. Write that date down. That 20-19 win was the first time Ryan Brady’s squad really looked like they had the "it" factor to beat the blue bloods of the GLIAC.
- The Ferris State Heartbreaker: November 8. This was arguably the game of the year in the conference. SVSU took the #1 Bulldogs to double overtime before falling 51-45.
What the 2025 Stats Really Say
Mason McKenzie was the engine. He didn't just play well; he earned GLIAC Player of the Year honors. When you look at the Saginaw Valley football schedule and see games where the offense put up 45 or 55 points, that's usually McKenzie making plays with his legs and finding guys like Terrence Brown Jr. or Jalen McGaughy downfield.
The team averaged over 400 yards of offense per game. That’s high-octane for this level of ball.
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But there’s a nuance here. While the offense was humming, the defense had some "bend-but-don't-break" moments that eventually broke. The Davenport loss (31-17) showed that if you can stifle the Cardinal run game, the whole system gets a bit clunky.
2025 Results Recap
| Opponent | Result | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
| Northeastern State | Loss | 21-28 |
| Gannon | Win | 49-28 |
| Northwood (Axe Bowl) | Loss | 14-38 |
| at New Haven | Loss | 28-35 |
| Northern Michigan | Win | 47-25 |
| Roosevelt | Win | 55-10 |
| at Grand Valley State | Win | 20-19 |
| Wayne State | Win | 28-7 |
| at Davenport | Loss | 17-31 |
| Ferris State | Loss (2OT) | 45-51 |
| at Michigan Tech | Win | 24-21 |
Planning for the Next Season at Wickes Memorial
If you're planning on catching a game next year, don't just wing it. The "Red Feather Classic" and the "Axe Bowl" are the two dates that sell out the fastest.
Parking at SVSU is a whole thing. If you want to be in Lots C or E (the prime tailgating spots), you’re looking at $15 for a single game. If you're rolling in with an RV, that jumps to $30. Most regulars just buy the season parking pass for $105 to save the headache of digging for cash every Saturday morning.
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General admission usually hovers around $15 for adults, but they hike it to $20 for the "Premium" games—basically whenever Northwood, Northern Michigan, or Ferris State comes to town. It’s a bit of a "rivalry tax," but the atmosphere is worth the extra five bucks.
Why the Schedule Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
Saginaw Valley is in a unique spot. They are stuck in a conference with two perennial national championship contenders (Ferris and Grand Valley). Because of that, the Saginaw Valley football schedule is basically a gauntlet.
Coach Ryan Brady has been building this program to specifically beat those two giants. In 2025, they proved they could do it. They beat GVSU and nearly took out Ferris. That tells you that the gap is closing.
What most people miss is how the schedule affects recruiting. Seeing SVSU go toe-to-toe with the #1 team in the country on a televised Senior Day makes a huge difference for a kid from Detroit or Flint who’s deciding between the GLIAC and a lower-level Division I school.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Buy Early: Season tickets for the 2026 season usually have an "Early Bird" discount that ends in late July. You can save about $20 per seat.
- Watch the Transfers: With the way the portal works now, the roster you see in August might look different than the one in the spring. Keep an eye on the signee lists—SVSU is heavy on Michigan talent, especially from the Detroit and Muskegon areas.
- Check the Weather: It's the Great Lakes region. October games in the GLIAC can be 70 degrees or a blizzard. If the Cardinals are playing Michigan Tech or Northern Michigan late in the year, dress for the tundra.
The 2025 season showed that Saginaw Valley isn't just a "spoiler" anymore. They are a legitimate threat. When the new schedule drops for 2026, look at that mid-October stretch. That's usually where the season is won or lost.