2025 SVSU Football Season Preview
The 2025 Cardinal football team features a list of key returners on both sides of the ball, in addition to some transfers that should make an impact this year. Sophomore quarterback Mason McKenzie (Caledonia, Mich.) is the centerpiece for the Cardinals’ offense. The 2025 GLIAC Freshman of the Year looks to improve on his debut season, where he finished 2024 with a combined 2,716 yards and 20 touchdowns (2,054 yards and 14 touchdowns passing). He led the team in passing and rushing and compiled over 200 yards passing four times and rushed for 100 or more yards twice during the season.
McKenzie will have two of his top three targets returning this season with two-time All-GLIAC players senior Eric Craft (Waterford, Mich.) and redshirt-junior Terrence Brown Jr. (Detroit, Mich.). Craft finished second on the team with 27 catches for 428 yards with two scores a year ago. Brown was a threat out of the backfield with 21 receptions, 337 yards, and a team-best four touchdown catches. Brown was the team leader in all-purpose yards with 1,049 all-purpose yards and scoring with 66 points with his 11 total touchdowns (six rushing, four receiving, one punt return).
SVSU also returns two Second-Team All-GLIAC selections on offense with redshirt-junior running back Jaquon Howard (Chicago, Ill.) and senior offensive lineman Joe Botello (Lansing, Mich.).
All-GLIAC redshirt-junior defensive lineman Adom LeDuc (Utica, Mich.) returns on defense for the Cardinals. LeDuc finished with 46 tackles, five sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He recorded five or more tackles four times, including recording six tackles in a game three times in 2024.
Senior Timothy Alonzo Jr. (Maple Heights, Ohio) joins LeDuc on the defensive line. Alonzo appeared in nine games a season ago. Redshirt-sophomore linebacker James McDonald (Warren, Mich.) returns after nine games of experience in his debut for the Cardinals. Redshirt-sophomores DJ Voltz (Saginaw, Mich.) and Sean Hodges (Detroit, Mich.), along with redshirt-junior Christian Ellison (Flint, Mich.), return in the defensive backfield. Voltz played in all 11 games for the Cardinals, while Hodges saw action in 10 games and Ellison appeared in nine.
“In January, the Football Leadership Council decided to go ‘All-In’ and continue to build, improve, and complete the climb. It's been a great off-season, highlighted by our player retention and player development. The 2025 Team has been focused, disciplined, and believes in our process here at SVSU. The leadership has grown, and the team has been laser-focused on continuing to improve and get better as a team,” added Brady
The Cardinals celebrate the 50th Anniversary of SVSU football this season and begin by honoring the very first varsity team from 1975 during the season-opening game at home against Northeastern State on Thursday, August 28, at 6:00 p.m.
SVSU continues at home for the next two weeks with Gannon coming to Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 6, for the Hall of Fame Game and rival Northwood the following weekend (Sept. 13) for the Axe Bowl.
The Cardinals hit the road in game four with a matchup against New Haven in Connecticut on September 20, before returning home for two more games. SVSU plays host to Northern Michigan on October 4, in the 2025 Homecoming Game, before Roosevelt comes to town on October 11.
The Cardinals finish the season going back and forth between road and home games for the final five games. It starts with a trip to Grand Valley State for the Battle of the Valleys on October 18. It is the first time Saginaw Valley State has played the Lakers in Lubbers Stadium since 2022. A home game against Wayne State is next on October 25 before going back to the Grand Rapids area for a game against Davenport in Caledonia on November 1. SVSU hosts Ferris State for the first time since 2022 for the final home game of the year on November 8, before finishing the regular season in Houghton, Michigan, to play Michigan Tech on November 16.
"We are excited and honored to be celebrating 50 years of Cardinal Football in 2025. In 1975, the first varsity team took the field and started this tradition-rich, storied program under the leadership of Frank "Muddy" Waters. 2025 is a milestone year for the Cardinals,” said Brady.