Sept. 22, 2007

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Houghton, Mich. - #1 Ranked Grand Valley State scored 48 unanswered points Saturday and went on to claim a 48-6 victory over #25 Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan before the second largest crowd in Sherman Field history (3,687). GVSU improves to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in GLIAC action, while Michigan Tech falls to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC play. Grand Valley State will host Wayne State at 5/3 Ballpark (Home of the West Michigan Whitecaps) in Comstock Park next Saturday (Sept. 29) at 7 p.m.

Michigan Tech opened the contest on a high as Marvin Atkins broke loose for a 69 yard TD run on the first play of the game. GVSU blocked the PAT, but the Huskies led 6-0. However, that would be the end of the scoring for MTU and the Laker defense would regroup and score a pair of touchdowns of their own.

Sophomore QB Brad Iciek directed a 9-play, 61-yard drive that took 4:15 off the clock. Sophomore RB Blake Smolen scored on a 10-yard run and Todd Carter added the PAT for a 7-6 GVSU lead. The Laker kickoff team forced the first of six Michigan Tech turnovers on the ensuing kickoff, but the MTU defense held and Carter missed a 34-yard field goal attempt wide left. Iciek directed another scoring drive, this one covering 50 yards in eight plays. Smolen scored again, this time from four yards out and the PAT gave GVSU a 14-6 lead.

"We did a nice job offensively of driving the ball down the field for a scored following that first play," said fourth-year head coach Chuck Martin. "The offensive line did a nice job up front and Brad was efficient in directing the offense."

The Laker defense held MTU on a fourth down play at the Laker six and Iciek then drove Grand Valley State 94 yards in 14 plays for a score. Iciek rushed for 17 yards on the drive, completed a short pass to Preston Garris that turned into a 30 yard gain on second and twenty, then hit TE John Mathews with a 10-yard scoring pass to up the Laker lead to 21-6.

Sophomore safety Jacob McGuckin picked of Michigan Tech QB Steve Short at the MTU 37 and the Lakers were once again in business. Iciek hit Mathews again, this time from 28 yards out for the score with 4:18 left in the first half.

"Our defense did a great job all day of getting in the quarterbacks face and containing him on the edge," said Martin. "It was then nice to see our offense take advantage of that turnover and turning it into points."

The Huskies' next drive covered just eight yards and a 20 yard punt by MTU gave the Lakers great field position at the Michigan Tech 48 with 3:16 left in the opening half. The Lakers needed just four plays and 1:25 as Preston Garris scored on a 21-yard run to give GVSU a 34-6 lead at the half.

Michigan Tech drove deep into Grand Valley State territory following a Laker lost fumble on its opening possession of the second half. However, senior CB Bill Brechin stepped in front of Steve Short pass at the GVSU one and returned it 99 yards for the first interceptions return for a TD in his football career. The 99-yard interception return for a score was the fourth longest in GVSU football history.

"I had a good read on the play and just stepped in front for the pick," said Brechin. "After the pick I was just worried about beating the rest of the defense to the end zone."

Junior CB Corey Edwards concluded the scoring for the Lakers as he picked off another Short pass and returned it 61 yards for a TD midway through the fourth quarter.

"I liked the way we prepared for Michigan Tech this week," said Martin. "Michigan Tech has an outstanding offense and our defensive coaching staff did a great job of preparing the defense for everything Michigan Tech was going to do."

Senior running back Preston Garris led the GVSU rushing attack with 62 yards and one TD on 10 carries. Freshman Jimmy Berezik added 57 yards on 12 carries, while Blake Smolen added 34 yards and two TDs on seven carries. GVSU rushed for 221 yards on 46 carries. Sophomore QB Brad Iciek completed 12-of-22 passes for 168 yards and two TDs. Iciek attempted just one pass in the second half.

Junior tight end John Mathews caught three passes for 48 yards and two TDs to lead all GVSU receivers. Brandon Horn hauled in three for 33 yards and Antione Trent three for 27. Garris caught two passes for 47 yards.

The Laker starting defense limited Michigan Tech to 267 yards on 53 plays in three quarters of action. GVSU picked off five passes and recovered a fumble. Senior all-american Anthony Adams recorded a team-best 10 tackles, while fellow senior, Kirk Carruth, chipped in seven. In addition to Brechin and Edwards, sophomores Jordan Munson, Denzell Hinton and Jacob McGuckin each picked off a pass for the Lakers.

Notes...Grand Valley State has the longest active winning streak in college football at 31 games...GVSU is 89-5 in its last 94 games.