University Center, Mi. - A slow start sank Texas A&M-Kingsville as it dropped its week one contest to Saginaw Valley, 41-24, Saturday from Wilkes Memorial Stadium.
The Javelinas (0-2, 0-0 LSC) surrendered 28 consecutive points from the end of the first quarter to halftime after taking an early 10-6 lead over the Cardinals (2-0, 0-0 GLIAC). The loss puts the Javelinas in an 0-2 hole in a non-covid 19 season for the first time since the 2007 season.
Texas A&M-Kingsville showed some flashes of brilliance in the first quarter after falling behind 6-0. Quarterback
Mills Dawson utilized a free play to
Nate Barnett who made a wild one-handed catch on the sideline to put the Javelinas in position to score their first points of the game with a field goal.
Kaleb Gainer then notched his first interception of his career to set up Dawson's first touchdown pass of the season to Barnett to give the Javelinas a 10-6 lead.
Saginaw Valley would then go on to score 21 points in six minutes between the first and second quarter to reestablish a commanding 27-10 lead over the Javelinas. Another Cardinal touchdown with 3:05 left in the half put them up 34-10 as the teams headed into the locker room.
The Javelinas would not get back on the scoreboard until midway through the fourth quarter, when Levi Fotenot punched in it from three yards out to give the Javelinas their second touchdown of the day. Dawson would then find
Fischer Franck in the back of the endzone for the tight end's first touchdown of his career, but it would not be enough as the Javelinas dropped their second contest in a row.
Quick Hitters:
- Six Javelinas participated in a sack in this game, with
Travis Bielefeld leading the way with a pair.
Eric Dadzie,
Noah Jones, Matt Quick and
Rolland Trent also registered at least half a sack.
- Dawson's 355 passing yards are the 15th most by a Javelinas QB in a single game and he becomes just the 11th QB in program history to eclipse 350 passing yards.
- Freshman  receiver
Walker Dietze notched his first three receptions of his career, tallying 70 yards in the process.
- Texas A&M-Kingsville has now made it three consecutive games forcing a turnover dating back to the 2025 season and 13 straight games recording at least one sack.
Texas A&M-Kingsvile will be on a bye week before returning to Javelina Stadium for Family Weekend on September 19th to take on Eastern New Mexico. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the action at JavelinaFB on X.
