Nov. 1, 2003

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - #6 Grand Valley State used a smothering defense and an efficient offense to claim a 51-6 victory over Mercyhurst College in Lubbers Stadium Saturday night. GVSU improves to 8-1 overall and 7-1 in GLIAC play.

GVSU scored on seven straight possessions after turning it over on downs and with a punt on its first two drives. Sophomore QB Jeff Dock, starting for an injured Cullen Finnerty, threw five TD passes in his second-ever collegiate start. The first covered 32 yards to freshman WR Micah Staley. Brandon Langston then caught a one-yard TD pass from Dock as time expired in the first quarter and David Hendrix added the PAT for a 14-0 GVSU lead. Hendrix put the Lakers us 17-0 with a 31-yard field goal before Staley and Langston each hauled in their second TD receptions of the night. GVSU built a 31-0 halftime lead as the Laker defense limited MC to just 19 yards on 25 plays.

Dock opened the third quarter with a 10-yard TD run and he then hit Staley for the time in the endzone from 25 yards out to give the Lakers a 44-0 lead. Mercyhurst scored its only points of the night when Jeff Nowling hit Brad Thompson with an 8-yard TD pass. Freshman Jordan Soper concluded the scoring when he sped in from 19 yards out for his first collegiate TD.

Dock completed 18-of-27 passes for 200 yards and five TDs, while running for 22 yards and one TD. Staley hauled in four passes for 75 yards and three TDs. Ryan Hukill toted the ball 14 times for 77 yards and Michael Tennessee added 68 yards on 20 carries. The Laker defense limited Mercyhurst to just 156 yards of total offense and 12 first downs. Keyonta Marshall notched six tackles, three tackles for loss and two QB sacks, while William Gray added five tackles and two tackles for loss. Derrick Phillips recorded three tackles, recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass and deflected a pass.

GVSU will hit the road for its final two regular season games. GVSU will be at Indianapolis next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. p.m>