#1-Ranked Grand Valley State used the big play to claim a 36-22 victory ove GLIAC foe Wayne State Saturday night at Lubbers Stadium before a Family Day crowd of 10,942. GVSU, 5-0 on the year, improved to 56-5 in its last 61 games. In addition, the Lakers have now defeated Wayne State 19 straight times dating back to 1985.

The Lakers got on the board first with a 40-yard TD run by QB Cullen Finnerty at the 2:44 mark of the first quarter. GVSU increased its lead to 14-0 when Finnerty hit Eric Fowler with a six yard TD pass at the 7:53 mark of the second quarter. The TD culminated a nine-play, 80-yard drive that took 4:00. The Warriors battled back and scored with 1:56 left in the second quarter when running back Chris Middlebrooks scampered in from 20 yards out. WSU pulled to within four (14-10) when Dave Chudzinski hit a 30 yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Wayne State took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 75 yards in 11 plays to take a 16-14 lead. Middlebrooks finished the drive with a four-yard TD run, but senior defensive lineman Quartez Vickerson blocked the PAT. GVSU struck back quickly with a three-play, 75-yard scoring drive of its own that took just 43 seconds to take a 21-16 lead. Finnerty hit Langston with a perfectly thrown 47 yard TD pass behind the defensive backfield of Wayne State. WSU drove 80 yards in seven plays and QB Nolan Martin hit tight end Kenny Schmidt with a nine-yard TD pass to put the Warriors up 22-21. Grand Valley CB Bill Brechin knocked down the two-point conversion pass to keep the Lakers within a point. GVSU trailed for only 13 seconds as Brandon Langston took the ensuing kickoff 91 yard for a TD. Finnerty hit running back Ryan Hukill with the two-point conversion pass to give the Lakers a 29-22 lead. Grand Valley State increased its lead to 36-22 with a four-play, 55-yard drive that concluded with a Finnerty to Antione Trent six-yard TD pass.

Finnerty completed 14-of-22 passes for 175 yards and three TDs, while rushing for a season-high 95 yards and a TD on 10 carries. Junior running back Astin Martin broke the 100-yard rushing mark for the fourth time in five games with 104 yards on 21 carries. Junior WR Eric Fowler hauled in six passes for 87 yards and a TD, while Langston caught four passes for 54 yards and a TD.

Sophomore linebacker Anthony Adams led the defense with 13 tackles, while junior lineback Matt Beaty added 12 stops and a pick. Freshman linebacker Dan Skuta chipped in 11 tackles. GVSU punter Matt Regnery turned in a stellar day punting by averaging 43.4 yards with a lone of 57 yards. Regnery dropped four punts inside the Warrior 20 yard line.

Grand Valley State will hit the road with a 7 p.m. contest at Hillsdale next Saturday (Oct. 8).