MIDLAND, Mich. - The Glenville State Football team rolled past Northwood this evening 44-9 at Hantz Stadium in Midland, Michigan. Glenville State forced five turnovers and scored three defensive touchdowns on their way to a season-opening win.
1st Quarter
Both teams started out slow as they opened the game with three-and-outs. The Pioneers looked to change the script after consecutive first downs but the 'Wolves defense forced a fumble to take over inside the GSU 40. Glenville's defense stayed strong, not allowing the turnover to hurt the Pioneers by stopping NU on fourth down, causing a turnover on downs.
Following the turnover on downs, both squads went three-and-out once again. The tide changed once Tank Gant picked off Nevada transfer Jacob Barlage for a pick-six to put the Pioneers on the board first. On the next possession, Glenville's Jonathan Brown got in on the mix scooping up the fumble and taking it back for a touchdown. During the PAT, NU blocked the kick and went all the way to the endzone for two points.
2nd Quarter
The Pioneers stopped the Timberwolves to start the 2nd Quarter, giving the ball to the Pioneer offense who hadn't caught traction yet. That changed when Anthony Garrett led an 81-yard drive down the field, ending in a 23-yard touchdown strike through the middle to Terrell Heath Jr. to extend the Pioneers lead to 20-2. On Northwood's following drive, Evan Jackson read the deep ball perfectly and intercepted it to put the ball back in Glenville's hands.
The passing game continued to excel with Garrett finding Zion Barnette and James Mickens on back-to-back plays, followed by Terrell Heath's big catch down the middle on 3rd and 8. Down to the 1-yardline, Anthony Garrett was stuffed on 3rd and goal but wouldn't be denied on 4th down, sneaking it in to make it 27-2 going into the locker room.
Stats At The Half
The Pioneers had 180 yards of total offense in the opening half and held the 'Wolves to just 94 yards total. The defense totaled two touchdowns and Anthony Garrett threw for 151 yards in the 2nd Quarter.
3rd Quarter
The Timberwolves started the 2nd Half with possession, going three and out thanks to the GSU defense continuing to send the NU offense off the field. Garrett started off the first drive of the new half with a 7-yard pickup to AB transfer Robert Shanabarger. The drive was put to a halt quickly as a screen pass was blown up, forcing the Pioneers to punt. On the punt, Northwood picked up some momentum by blocking it and having possession inside the GSU 35.
That momentum didn't last long for NU as Dane Lynch Jr. went up and snagged the Pioneers second interception of the game to kill the Northwood drive. Saeed Galloway found his footing on the ground during the next drive, having runs of 10 and 25 to move the Pioneers down the field. NU forced a fumble that Glenville recovered but that would be enough to stop the drive, forcing the Pioneers to punt. After the 'Wolves were put back on the sideline by the Pioneer defense, GSU put together another attack on the ground with Alfred Menjor this time.
The clock began to dwindle down with Coach Kellar sticking to the running game, managing the time of possession in the 3rd Quarter. Northwood was able to end the Pioneer drive yet Zander Watson backed them down inside the 5 to end the quarter.
4th Quarter
With the 3rd being a stale quarter offensively, the GSU defense stepped up once again with another pick-six. Jonathan Brown raced it back for 30 yards, elevating the lead to 34-2. Northwood answered quickly, capitalizing on a 56-yard kick return and 35-yard passing touchdown just 21 seconds after the Pioneers scored. On the ensuing drive, Anthony Garrett connected with Zion Barnette for an 11-yard passing touchdown, putting the Pioneers over the 40-point mark.
With a 41-9 lead, Glenville made NU punt on a three-and-out and took over seven minutes off the clock on their next possession, eventually settling for a 22-yard field goal. The Pioneers closed out the Timberwolves, bringing back a 44-9 victory to Glenville.
The Final Stats
Anthony Garrett threw for 231 yards and 2 TD on 19-33 passing with one rushing TD. Five different Pioneers had a carry, led by Saeed Galloways 64 yards on 11 carries. Alfred Menjor touched the ball 19 times out of the backfield, finishing with 53 yards. Western Kentucky transfer Zavione Wood also saw action, carrying it seven times for 20 yards. Orion Bonner led the receiving core with eight catches for 93 yards. Terrell Heath Jr. and Zion Barnette both had a receiving touchdown as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jonathan Brown accounted for two defensive touchdowns with a pick-six and a scoop and score. Tank Gant finished with three tackles and an interception for a touchdown. Marshall transfer Brogan Brown led the Pioneers in tackles with six while returning All-MEC Second Team selection Seth Arnold was second with five. Mark Shepherd earned two breakups also.
For Northwood, the two QBs threw for a combined 8-26, 92 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT. The rushing attack led the 'Wolves, finishing with 98 yards on 28 carries. Mark Tocco had the lone receiving touchdown to go along with 43 receiving yards. For the defense, the Timberwolves were led by Mbaimba Tunkara's eight tackles and Drew Carpenter's seven tackles. Jack Murray and Jerry Major both forced a fumble to close out the stats for NU.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers are now off until Sept. 16 when they welcome Notre Dame College at Morris Stadium for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
