Nov. 8, 2003

Box Score

Indianapolis, Ind. - Grand Valley State scored 36 unanswered points in the second and third quarters en route to a 53-10 GLIAC victory Saturday afternoon in Indianpolis, Ind. GVSU improves to 9-1 overall and 8-1 in GLIAC action with the win. The victory was also the 15 straight road game GVSU has won.

GVSU opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 10-yard scoring pass from Cullen Finnerty to Micah Staley. Michael Tennessee carried the ball 60 yards down to the 10 before the TD pass. The Lakers scored on their next possession when Finnerty hit DB Derrick Phillips on a 37-yard pass play for a TD. David Hendrix added the PATs for a GVSU 14-0 lead. The Lakers went up 17-0 on a Hendrix 24-yard field goal before UI scored 10 straight points to pull within seven (17-10). GVSU got the ball back with 1:10 remaining in the first half and drove down for an apparent 26-yard field goal, but a dropped snap resulted in QB Jeff Dock hitting DE Aaron Hein with an 11-yard TD pass to give the Lakers a 23-10 lead at the half.

GVSU dominated the third quarter scoring on all four possessions. The Lakers drove 66 yards in seven plays for the first TD. Finnerty scored on a 5-yard run to put the Lakers up 30-10. GVSU went up 32-10 when DE Aaron Hein sack UI QB Matt Kohn in the endzone for a safety. Senior WR Mario Locricchio hauled in an 18-yard pass from Finnerty to culminate a 4-play, 28-yard drive after the UI free kick following the safety. The Greyhounds were forced to punt after three plays and the Lakers struck quickly with a 6-play, 66-yard scoring drive. Tennessee carried the ball in from four yards out to give the Lakers a 46-10 lead. Sophomore running back Ryan Hukill concluded the third quarter barrage with a 19-yard TD run that ended a 4-play, 48-yard drive.

The Grand Valley State defense limited Indianapolis to 267 yards of total offense, including a minus two yards rushing. GVSU picked off two passes and limited UI to 269 passing yards, 63 below their per game average. GVSU recorded four QB sacks (-40) and seven tackles for loss on the day. Indy was held to -2 yards rushing on 23 attempts. Derric Phillips and All-American Scott Mackey each picked off a pass.

Cullen Finnerty led the passing game, completing 18-of-20 passes for 251 yards and three TDs. Jeff Dock completed 7-of-8 passes for 54 yards and a TD. GVSU was 25-for-28 passing for 305 yards and four TDs on the day. Tennessee rushed for 152 yards and one TD on 20 carries. Tennessee moved past the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season (1,132) with his 60-yard run in the first quarter. His 1,132 yards is the fourth-best single-season total. In addition, Tennessee moved into eighth-place on the career rushing list with 2,224 yards in just 10 career starts. Michael, who was named one of 24 nominees for the 2003 Harlon Hill Award on Thursday, added 70 yards receiving on six catches. Tennessee's 222 yards of total offense marked the fifth time this season he went over 200 yards of total offense in a game. Freshman receiver Micah Staley hauled in six catches for 55 yards, while Brandon Langston added 43 yards on four receptions. GVSU tallied 550 yards of total offense on the day (245 rushing/305 passing).

GVSU will conclude its regular season next Saturday (Nov. 15) at Findlay. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.