Oct. 11, 2003

Box Score

Marquette, Mich. -- Nine years and three trips to the Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan netted GVSU no wins and long rides back to Allendale. In addition, GVSU's last loss in the GLIAC was a 29-28 setback to Northern Michigan on September 30th in 2000. All of that came to an end Saturday (Oct. 11) as GVSU claimed a 50-20 victory over Northern Michigan. The victory was the Lakers' 29th straight in GLIAC action, 32nd consecutive regular season win and 20 straight win overall. The 20-game winning streak sets a new school record.

The first half appeared to be an offensive track meet as the two teams combined for four scoring drives that were 10 plays or more and scored points on points on eight straight drives.

GVSU's first two drives resulted in punts and Northern Michigan then drove 85 yards in 13 plays on its second possession to take a 7-0 lead when Kyle Swenor hit Pat Rouzard with an nine-yard TD pass. Grand Valley State answered back with an impressive 10-play, 76-yard drive that culminated with a Brandon Langston 4-yard TD run. NMU struck back and scored on its following possession when Swenor hit tight end Justin Orvis with a 7-yard TD pass. NMU drove 62 yards in 10 plays for the score. GVSU answered again with a scoring drive of its own. Michael Tennessee scored from eight yards out to end an 11-play, 73-yard drive. The PAT failed and NMU held a 14-13 lead. Northern Michigan scored on its third straight drive with a 51-yard, 7-play march. Kyle Marotz hit a 22-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 17-13 lead with 5:25 remaining in the first half. The Lakers' David Hendrix connected on a 20-yard field goal to pull the GVSU within one (17-16) with just over two minutes left in the first half and then GVSU was able to take its first lead of the game at 19-17 when Hendrix hit a 25-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The score was set up when Keyonta Marshall recovered an NMU fumble deep in Wildcat territory with just 1:45 left.

The Laker defense forced NMU into a three and out on its opening possession of the second half and GVSU drove 57 yards in 7 plays for a TD. Langston took a screen pass from Finnerty and scored from four yards out. The PAT by Hendrix was good and GVSU led 26-17. NMU started its next drive on its own five yard line and drove 82 yards in 11 plays for a 32-yard field goal Morotz to pull NMU within six (26-20). That would be as close as the Wildcats would get as the Laker offensive continued to click. Finnerty hit Langston down the middle with a pass and Langston outran three Wildcat defenders to the endzone for a 71-yard TD pass on third and seven to give GVSU a 33-20 lead. The Laker defense again forced an NMU punt after three plays and Grand Valley State drove 63 yards in 6 plays for another TD. Finnerty capped the drive with 5-yard run. Derrick Phillips picked off a pass on NMU's first play and ran it back 28 yards to the NMU 27 yard line. Hendrix kicked a 22 yard field goal, his third of the day, to culminated a 6-play, 23-yard drive and give the Lakers a 43-20 lead. GVSU concluded the scoring with 9-play, 68-yard drive that took 4:51 off the clock. Finnerty hit Micah Staley with a 2-yard scoring pass to give GVSU a 50-20 lead. GVSU scored on eight straight possessions before a punt midway through the fourth quarter.

A balanced Laker attack churned out 526 yards of total offense. The Laker running game rushed for 279 yards and three TDs, while the passing game clicked for 247 yards and three TDs. Tennessee led the running game with 153 yards and one TD on 23 carries, while Ryan Hukill added 79 yards on 12 carries in the fourth quarter. Finnerty completed 21-of-28 passes for 247 yards and three TDs to lead and efficient passing game. Langston caught six passes for 109 yards and two TDs, while Micah Staley hauled in four passes for 75 yards and a TD. Hendrix hit all three of his field goal attempts.

#1 Grand Valley State will host #6 Saginaw Valley State next Saturday (Oct. 18) at Lubbers Stadium at 7 p.m.