Nov. 29, 2003

Box Score

University Center, Mich. -

Nov. 29, 2003

Box Score

University Center, Mich. - #4 Grand Valley State (12-1) tallied a 10-3 victory over #1 Saginaw Valley State (12-1) Saturday at Wickes Stadium before crowd of 9,267. GVSU advances to the NCAA DII National Semifinals for the third straight year, and will play at Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday (Dec. 6). Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.

SVSU scored its only points of the day on its first drive, driving 74 yards in 16 plays for a 21-yard Eric Houle field goal. Junior QB Mark Radlinski completed 6-of-8 passes and moved SVSU down to the Laker four. However, GVSU held on two runs and Lucius Hawkins batted down a Radlinski pass on third down to force the field goal. SVSU drove 70 yards in 13 plays on its next possession before Houle missed a 24-yard field goal. The Lakers put together a nine-play, 50-yard drive of its own late in the second quarter. Finnerty completed three passes to Mark Catlin for 42 yards on the drive to set up a 31-yard David Hendrix field goal. The tide turned on the Cardinals next possession. SVSU faced a second and five from its own 48 with just under three minutes left in the half when GVSU All-American safety Scott Mackey stepped in front of a Radlinski pass for an interception and returned it 46 yards for a TD. That marked the third straight week Mackey returned an interception for a TD. Hendrix added the PAT for a 10-3 Laker lead.

Neither team put together much of a scoring threat in the third quarter, but early in the fourth quarter Saginaw Valley State went for it on fourth and one from its own 29 and the Lakers stuffed a Radlinski QB sack for no gain. GVSU moved three yards to the SVSU 26, but Hendrix was wide left on a 43-yard field goal attempt to keep the scored 10-3. SVSU regained some life and drove down to the GVSU eight, facing a second two situation. Back-to-back false start miscues move the Cardinals back to the 18 yard line and on second down Radlinski's pass fell incomplete. Lucius Hawkins then sack Radlinski for a five yard loss to force a 40-yard field goal attempt by Houle. The kick had enough distance, but sailed wide right.

GVSU looked to ice the game with a nine-play, 59-yard drive that consumed 4:18 off the clock. Freshman QB Cullen Finnerty completed a 28-yard pass to tight end Mike Holloway and a 19-yard pass to Brandon Langston. Junior RB Michael Tennessee rushed the ball four straight times to the SVSU 23 yard line, but Hendrix was wide right on a 35-yard field goal attempt with 1:15 left in the game. Radlinski was sacked on firt down, but completed four straight passes to move SVSU to the 50 yard line, but junior CB Derrick Phillips sealed the win with an interceptions at the Laker 42.

Defense was the key for Grand Valley State. The Lakers tallied a season-high seven QB sacks for minus 47 yards, including four by outside lineback Lucius Hawkins (-25). SVSU was held to 46 yards rushing and Radlinski completed 27-of-46 passes for 300 yards, but was unable to get the Cardinals into the endzone. The Laker defense held an opponent without a TD for the third time this season. DeJuane Boone led GVSU with 13 tackles, while Dion Charity added 12 tackles and a tackle for loss. Scott Mackey picked up 10 tackles and the interception return for a TD, while Aaron Hein added seven tackles and two tackles for loss. Hawkins recorded five tackles and four QB sacks.

Offensively, Michael Tennessee rushed for 66 yards on 16 carries, while Finnerty completed 12-of-25 passes for 196 yards. Brandon Langston caught four passes for 74 yards, while Micah Staley hauled in three passes for 44 yards. Staley hauled in a key 27-yard reception when GVSU was pinned on its own three late in the fourth quarter. Freshman Mark Catlin caught three passes for 42 yards. Sophomore punter Matt Regnery averaged 36.8 yards on five punts, including a long of 49 yards.

Grand Valley State picked up its 18th straight road win, including its fourth straight in as many weeks. The Lakers also defeated a team that was ranked #1 in the country for the second time in its storied football history. GVSU defeated Ferris State in 1996 when the Bulldogs were ranked #1 in the country.