Oct. 9, 2004

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State used a smothering defense and an efficient offense to claim an impressive 58-7 victory over Hillsdale College Saturday night before the fifth largest crowd in Lubbers Stadium history (11,606). GVSU improves 6-0 on the year and is now 53-2 in its last 55 games.

The Laker defense didn't wait long make an impact versus Hillsdale. Laker DB Lucius Hawkins picked off a tipped pass by Jesse Hoskins and returned it 30 yards for a score on the Chargers first offensive play. PK Scott Greene then kicked field goals of 23, 29 and 34 on three straight possessions to give the Lakers a 16-0 lead. QB Cullen Finnerty threw a pair of TD passes that covered 3-and-7 yards to Brandon Langston to give the Lakers a 30-0 lead at the half. The Lakers opened the second half with a 9-play, 65-yard drive that ended when Finnerty hit WR Demonte Collins with a 22 yard scoring pass. Jeff Dock continued the scoring for the Lakers when he dashed 45 yards for a score midway through the third quarter to give GVSU a 44-0 lead. Hillsdale scored its only points of the game when they drove 75 yards in 13 plays as Doug Dawson scored from a yard out.

RB Preston Garris, playing in only his second game as a running back, scored his first rushing TD with a 5 yard jaunt in the fourth quarter. Garries led the Laker rushing attack with 102 yards on 17 carries. Laker WR Antoine Trent returned a fumble 18 yards for a TD on the ensueing kickoff for the final points of the day.

The Laker defense was the story for the third straight game, allowing just 139 yards of total offense, including a -6 via the ground. Hillsdale mangaged just 11 first downs, three against the Laker starters. GVSU tallied seven QB sacks (-50) and 10 tackles for loss (-57). DT Keyonta Marshall recorded four tackles, including three tackles for loss (-15) and two QB sacks (-10).

QB Cullen Finnerty completed 24-of-34 passes for 245 yards and three TDs. Jeff Dock was 2-2 for 45 yards and rushed two times for 45 yards. WR Demonte Collins hauled in 12 catches for 158 yards and one TD. Collins has gone over the 100 yard receiving mark three times in his six-game career. Langston hauled in eight catches for 65 yards.

GVSU used a balanced attack with 205 yards rushing and 290 yards passing. The Lakers were 9-for-16 on third down conversions. Grand Valley State has limited its last three opponents to 392 yards of total offense (130.6 ypg) and 14 total points.

Grand Valley State will travel to Saginaw Valley State next Saturday for a 12 noon kickoff at Harvey Randall Wickes Stadium.