Oct. 28, 2006

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Big Rapids, Mich. - #1-Ranked Grand Valley State extended the nations longest football winning streak to 22 games Saturday with a convincing 28-6 victory at rival Ferris State. The Lakers improve to 9-0 overall and 8-0 in GLIAC action, while Ferris State falls to 6-3 overall and 5-3 in the GLIAC.

GVSU took its opening possession 58 yards in 5 plays for a touchdown. Preston Garris took a shovel pass from QB Cullen Finnerty and rambled in from 10 yards out. Todd Carter added the PAT for a 7-0 Laker lead. Grand Valley State needed just two plays to move 40 yards into a fierce wind for its second score following a 17-yard FSU punt that went out of bounds at the Bulldog 40. Finnerty hit WR Antione Trent with a 10 yard hook over the middle that he took 20 more yards for a 30-yard TD reception. Ferris State's only points of the half came on a career-long field goal of 52 yards by Josh Eichler. GVSU stopped a potential Bulldog scoring opportunity at the end of the first half when safety Jacob McGuckin picked off a Ryan Kaul pass in the end zone with 12 seconds left in the half.

Finnerty was intercepted on the first play of the second half to give Ferris State life coming out of the locker room. The Bulldogs took advantage by driving 30 yards in eight plays before Eichler connected from 31 yards for his second field goal of the day.

Heading into the wind in the third quarter, GVSU went on a 10-play, 83-yard scoring drive that took 5:36 off the clock. Finnerty hit WR Eric Fowler a 12-yard TD pass to put the Lakers up 21-6. Grand Valley State concluded the game with a 14-play, 72-yard drive that took 9:07 off the clock in the fourth quarter. Finnerty tossed a 1-yard TD pass to an uncovered Fowler in the corner in the end zone.

"It feels good to be 9-0," said third-year head coach Chuck Martin. "We knew this was a huge game for Ferris State because they had aspirations of the playoffs if they could pick up a win today. I believe they were seventh in the regional rankings heading into today's game and if they were to beat us that would have put them in a great position. However, that is what makes the victory special because our guys were able to grind out a win in less than ideal weather conditions against a good football team," added Martin.

Finnerty completed 11-of-15 passes for 182 yards and four TDs. Blake Smolen recorded his first 100-yard rushing performance with 110 yards on 16 carries, while Astin Martin added 86 yards on 11 carries. Eric Fowler caught four passes for 80 yards and two TDs, while Smolen added 36 receiving yards on three catches. Preston Garris caught two passes for 36 yards and a TD. Defensively, freshman P.J. Beuke led the way with eight tackles, while Anthony Adams chipped in seven. Mike McFadden recorded six tackles and became the all-time career sack leader in DII football history with his 34th career QB sack. CB Brandon Carr, safety Jacob McGuckin and Derek Stansbery each picked off a pass, while McFaddend recovered a Bulldog fumble.

"Our defense is playing good football and that showed again today," added Martin. "They have held the number two scoring offense to seven (Indianapolis), seven (Northwood) and six (Ferris State) points the last three weeks."

GVSU recorded 371 yards of total offense on 54 plays, while Ferris State managed just 238 yards on 56 plays. GVSU punter Justin Trumble averaged 49.5 yards on two punts.

Notes...GVSU has won 9-of-the-last-10 games versus Ferris State...GVSU won its 80th game since 2000 and improved to 79-5 in its last 84 games...GVSU is 52-3 in its last 55 GLIAC games...The Laker senior class improved to 46-4...QB Cullen Finnerty extended his NCAA all-division record for wins by a starting QB to 45. Finnerty is 45-4 as a starting QB...GVSU improved to 44-2 when being ranked number one...The Lakers have held the top spot in the AFCA poll for 21 straight weeks...Cullen Finnerty has 11,461 yards of total offense in his career, trailing former Laker Curt Anes by 390 yards. Finnerty has accounted for 116 career TDs (89 passing-27 rushing)...GVSU has held its last three opponents to two TDs in the last 12 quarters. The Lakers have held 5-of-9 opponents to seven points or less this season...GVSU has held four opponents under 100 yards passing for the season.