Nov. 4, 2006

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Allendale, Mich. - #1-ranked Grand Valley State claimed a 49-35 victory over Saginaw Valley State Saturday night at Lubbers Stadium. The Lakers clinched their second straight outright GLIAC title with the victory and improved 53-3 in their last 56 GLIAC games. GVSU has won four GLIAC titles since the 2001 season.

GVSU scored on its first possession and never looked back. Senior QB Cullen Finnerty scored on a 2-yard run and PK Todd Carter added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. RB Astin Martin scored on a 25-yard TD run to cap a 43-yard, 4-play drive that put the Lakers up 14-0 in the first quarter. GVSU's Jacob McGuckin picked off a Vinnie Miroth pass and returned it 33 yards for a TD. Finnerty then found WR Terry Mitchell all alone in the end zone for an 8-yard score to give the Lakers a 28-0 lead at the half. GVSU limited Saginaw Valley State to 100 yards of total offense in the first half, 89 through the air and 11 rushing, while the Lakers ran for 109 and passes for 113.

"We came out and dominated the game on both sides of the ball against a very good team," said third-year head coach Chuck Martin. "Our defense did a great job against Saginaw Valley State and gave our offense some great scoring opportunities," added Martin.

The second started just as the first half ended. GVSU drove 80 yards in 7 plays as Finnerty hit WR Eric Fowler in the corner of the end zone for a 35-0 GVSU lead at the 5:51 mark of the third quarter.

Saginaw Valley State scored two third quarter TDs, but Finnerty found WR Antione Trent in the back of the end zone for a 7-yard TD pass to give GVSU a 42-14 lead. SVSU scored quickly, but Trent then returned the onside kick 45 yards for a TD to put GVSU up 49-21. GVSU's second units played almost the entire fourth quarter as the Cardinals added two late scores for the final margin.

"It was nice to win the GLIAC title outright at home," said Martin. "This team has done a great job of keeping its focus from week to week and they have worked extremely hard to improve each week," added Martin.

QB Cullen Finnerty completed 11-of-16 passes for 158 yards and three TDs, while rushing for 26 yards and TD. Astin Martin rushed 12 times for 76 yards and a TD, while Prestin Garris toted the ball eight times for 54 yards. WR Eric Fowler caught four passes for 75 yards, Blake Smolen hauled in three passes for 24 yards and Terry Mitchell caught two passes for 33 yards. Mark Catlin returned three punts for 56 yards.

Defensively, LB P.J. Beuke led the way with 9 tackles, while Drew Hinkle recorded a career-high eight tackles, two TFL (-9) and 1.5 QB sacks (-6). Jacob McGuckin tallied eight tackles and picked off a pass, while Kirk Carruth also picked off a pass. The Lakers recorded nine tackles for loss (-36) and four QB sacks (-20) on the night.

Notes...GVSU improved to 80-5 in their last 85 games...GVSU is 53-3 in their last 56 GLIAC games...The Lakers have won a school record 23 straight games, a streak that is also the longest in the nation regardless of division...GVSU is 45-2 when ranked number one...The Lakers are 42-3 in their last 45 home games...GVSU has been ranked number one in the country for 21 straight weeks. The Lakers have been ranked number one in the country in 53-of-the-last-67 AFCA polls...QB Cullen Finnerty improved to 46-4 as a starting QB, the most wins for a starting QB in the history of college footbal.