Sept. 30, 2006

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Detroit, Mich. - #1-Ranked Grand Valley State started fast and furious with 19 first quarter points en route to a convincing 36-13 victory over Wayne State in Detroit. The victory was the Lakers' 18th straight and improved GVSU to 75-5 in its last 80 games. In addition, Grand Valley State improved to 48-3 in its last 51 GLIAC games. Wayne State, which falls to 3-2 overall, entered the game with a 3-0 GLIAC mark.

Grand Valley State took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards in 10 plays for a 22-yard field goal by Todd Carter to put the Lakers up 3-0. Junior linebacker Matt Beaty forced a warrior fumble that Derrick Jones recovered. GVSU went 28 yards in seven plays before Carter booted a 27-yard field goal. Sean Roland picked off a pass by Wayne State quarterback Trent Pohl and returned it 33 yards to the WSU three. QB Cullen Finnerty hit WR Terry Mitchell with a 2-yard TD pass to put GVSU up 12-0. The Laker defense forced a Warrior punt on its next possession and Finnerty drove the Lakers 61 yards in five plays before hitting WR Antione Trent with a 12-yard TD pass. Carter added the PAT to put GVSU up 19-0 with 1:06 left in the first quarter. The Lakers rolled up 169 yards of total offense, while WSU was limited to 25 in the first quarter. GVSU also held the ball for 10:10 of the opening stanza.

"I'm pleased with our effort today and the way we played 60 minutes of football," said third-year head coach Chuck Martin. "Wayne State is a talented football team and I felt we had a good week of preparation and focus on the game. We came out ready to play and started fast with 19 first-quarter points," added Martin.

Wayne State got on the board when Joique Bell concluded a 9-play, 78-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run at the 3:41 mark of the second quarter. GVSU went into its two minute offense and Finnerty drove the Lakers 47 yards in nine plays before Carter booted a career-long 43-yard field goal with no time remaining in the first half to give GVSU a 22-7 lead.

Grand Valley State forced a Wayne State punt on its opening possession the second half and the Lakers were able to gain good field position following a 26 yard punt. GVSU drove 48 yards in five plays as Finnerty hit WR Terry Mitchell with a 13-yard TD pass to increase the lead to 29-7.

Wayne State drove 95 yards in 13 plays as Bell rambled in from 21 yards out. The two-point conversion pass was picked off by Brandon Carr. However, Mark Catlin returned the kickoff 43 yards to the WSU 38 yard line and the Lakers drove 38 yards in eight plays for a TD. Finnerty hit Eric Fowler with a 4-yard TD pass and Carter added the PAT for a 36-13 Laker lead.

Finnerty completed 18-of-29 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns. Finnerty added 45 yards rushing. Astin Martin rushed for 107 yards on 19 carries and moved past the 3,000-yard career rushing mark (3,015). Fowler caught six passes for 79 yards and one TD, while Mitchell hauled in four passes for 32 yards and two TDs. Antione Trent caught two passes for 29 yards and a TD.

The Laker defense picked off three passes and recovered a fumble. Freshman P.J. Beuke led the defense with a career-high 13 tackles in his first collegiate start. Freshman Jacob McGuckin tallied a career-high nine tackles, while sophomore safety Samad Cain chipped in nine tackles.

Notes...

Cullen Finnerty moved past Jeff Fox (8,493) into second place on the all-time GVSU passing list with 8,638 yards. Curt Anes leads the way with 10,581 passing yards.

Finnerty moved into 13th on the NCAA DII all-time total offense list with 10,562 yards.

GVSU is 40-2 when ranked number one.