Nov. 20, 2004

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State used a tough running game, combined with an incredible defensive effort against the run to claim a 10-7 NCAA DII playoff victory Saturday in Midland, Michigan. Grand Valley State captured its 10th straight playoff win, including six straight away from Lubbers Stadium. The Laker senior class also tied an NCAA DII record with its 51st win (51-4) in a four-year periord. Pittsburg State was 51-4 from 1989-92. Grand Valley State will play at North Dakota next Saturday (Nov. 27). The Lakers and Fighting Sioux have met in two of the last three NCAA DII title games, with ND winning in 2001 and GVSU claiming the 2003 title.

Grand Valley State and Northwood punted a combined nine times in the opening half. GVSU drove to the Northwood 20 on its opening possession, but QB Cullen Finnerty was hit as he was throwing the ball and Trevor Howard picked it off and returned it 48 yards. The Timberwolves scored on a 70 yard pass play from Kyle Kolbe to Robert Height early in the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead. The Lakers drove 41 yards in 10 plays before Scott Greene came up just short on a 43 yard field goal. GVSU took the opening drive of the second half and drove 42 yards in 11 plays before Greene nailed a 36 yard field goal. Northwood's second possession of the second half resulted in three plays and a punt the traveled just 12 yards to the Laker 37 yard line. QB Cullen Finnerty hit WR Brandon Langston on a flag pattern that resulted in a 37 yard TD pass and a Laker 10-7 lead. Grand Valley State used time consuming drives that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter. The Lakers used the final 3:12 of the game with an 8-play, 34-yard drive that ended the game.

"This was a great win for our team," said first year head coach Chuck Martin. "We showed a lot of character after being down early and losing some key players to injury," added Martin. "This team never quits and I am so proud of the coaching staff and players for the effort they gave today."

The Laker defense was dominent the entire game, but even more so in the second half. Northwood was forced into three plays and a punt in four of six second half drives. NU was limited to 48 yards of total offense on 25 second half plays.

Senior RB Michael Tennessee rushed for 80 yards on 27 carries and in the process became the Lakers' all-time leading rusher with 3,503 yards. Tennessee moved past Reggie Spearmon's total of 3,467 yards. Finnerty rushed for 75 yards on 16 carries as the Lakers tallied 176 yards on 51 carries. Finnerty completed 10-fo-21 passes for 116 yards and one TD. Langston caught nine passes for 107 yards and a TD. GVSU converted 6-of-18 third downs. Laker punter Matt Regnery punted seven times for a 41.1 yards per punt average.

The GVSU defense limited Northwood to 174 yards of total offense, 70 of which came on Northwoods lone score of the day. Northwood came into the game averaging nearly 350 rushing yards per game and was limited to a season low 51 yards on the ground. GVSU also held a 37:33 - 22:27 time of possession advantage.

Game Notes... Grand Valley State improved to 27-1 in its last 28 road games....Grand Valley State has held 7-of-12 teams to under 100 yards rushing this season. In addition, the Lakers have held each of their last six playoff opponents under 51 yards rushing.,p>

Team Att. Yards

Bentley 25 -14

Saginaw Valley 33 46

TAMUK 27 46

North Dakota 23 22

Winona State 30 13

Northwood 31 51

• GVSU has held 27 of its last 55 opponents to under 100 yards rushing.