Aug. 28, 2005

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State opened the 2005 season in fine fashion Saturday night with an impressive 30-10 victory over GLIAC and West Michigan rival Ferris State. The Lakers' delighted a GVSU and GLIAC single-game record crowd of 14,557 with the fifth straight victory in the series with the Bulldogs. GVSU also improved to 52-5 in its last 57 games.

"I'm pleased with the way we competed in all phases of the game against a very good football team," said second-year head coach Chuck Martin.

GVSU opened the 2005 campaign with a 15-play, 67-yard scoring drive that ended with a Scott Greene 37-yard field goal. The drive featured the first action for Grand Rapids native Astin Martin. Martin made the most of his play with a 13 yard run from scrimmage on his first play. Astin tallied 31 yards on four carries in his opening drive.

GVSU was forced to punt on its next possession and the snap from center sailed over senior punter Matt Regnery's head. Regnery attempted to kick the ball, but FSU's Lenald mombo scooped up the fumble and ran six yards for the score. Josh Eichler added the PAT and the Bulldogs held their first lead of the game.

The GVSU defense held Ferris State on a fourth and two play early in the second quarter when safety Samad Cain tackled QB Ryan Kaul just inches short of the first down. GVSU took over on its 35 and needed just four plays to go 65 yards for the go ahead score. Junior QB Cullen Finnerty hit senior tight end Jeremy Cochrane with a 28 yard pass play and then hit junior WR Eric Fowler with a perfectly thrown 33 yard TD pass. Greene added the PAT and GVSU had a lead it would never give up. Greene added his second field goal of the game, this coming from 28 yards, to give the Lakers a 13-7 lead with 7:17 left in the second stanza. Ferris State took over on its own two with 2:39 left in the first half and moved the ball out the its 27 yard line with just over a minute left, however, freshman linebacker Dan Skuta picked of a Ryan Kaul pass and returned it 24 yards to the FSU 19. Finnerty scrambled 14 yards on first down to the FSU five and then concluded the drive with a two yard jaunt with just 19 seconds in the half to give GVSU a 20-7 lead.

"I thought we reacted really well to our miscue on the bad snap from center that led to them taking the lead," said Martin. "We regrouped and put together a solid second quarter," added martin.

The Lakers came out smoking in the second half, taking the opening kickoff and moving 80 yards in seven plays for a TD. Finnerty hit Langston on a perfectly thrown fade pass for 43 yards and then ended the drive with another perfectly thrown ball to Langston that covered the final 15 yards. Greened added the PAT and the Lakers led 27-7 with 12:11 left in the third quarter. Ferris State and GVSU traded field goals for the final margin. The Lakers had a Jeff Dock rushing TD called back and threw and intercption in the FSU endzone during the third quarter to thwart two scoring drives.

The Laker defense allowed just 202 total yards and held FSU to just a field goal while forcing five three plays and out. Sophomore corner Brandon Carr and freshman linebacker Dan Skuta each recorded an interception for the Lakers. The GVSU defensive unit notched five tackles for loss (-33) and three Mike McFadden QB sacks. Ferris managed 98 rushing yards on 31 attempts and 104 yards through the air on 10 completions.

"I thought our defense was outstanding," said Martin. "We did a nice job on (Carlton) Brewster and only allowed one play over 20 yards."

B. Carr led the defense with nine tackles, while linebacker Anthony Adam chipped in seven stops. Mike McFadden tallied six total tackles, three of which were QB sacks (-18).

Cullen Finnerty guided the Laker offense to the tune of 203 yards passing and 71 yards rushing. Finnerty completed 13-of-23 for 203 yards and two TDs, while adding a rushing TD. Astin Martin picked up 116 yards on 19 carries, while Brandon Langston hauled in four receptions for 75 yards and TD. Langston also forced two pass interference penalties. Eric Fowler hauled in two passes for 44 yards and a TD, while Antione Trent caught two passes for 35 yards. Mark Catlin returned seven punts 82 yards with a long of 22 yards, and Matt Regnery dropped all five of his punts inside the FSU 20, including two inside the five.

"Overall I was pleased with our performance," said Martin. "We took Ferris State's best shots and picked up a win.'

Grand Valley State will host Gannon next Saturday (Sept. 3) in a 7 p.m. contest at Lubbers Stadium.