Oct. 18, 2008

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Findlay, Ohio - #1-Ranked Grand Valley State claimed a 34-10 road win over Findlay Saturday afternoon at Donnell Stadium in Finlday, Ohio. GVSU, which upped its record to 7-0 both overall and in GLIAC play, will host Ashland next Saturday (Oct. 25) at Lubbers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Grand Valley State forced a Findlay punt on its opening possession, however, junior QB Brad Iciek was picked off on the Lakers' first play from scrimmage. Findlay drove 69 yards in six plays, highlighted by a double reverse pass from Dustin Zielaskiewicz to DaJerrian Smith that covered 35 yards to the Laker one. Melvin Jackson scored on the next play and Cameron Stevens added the PAT for a 7-0 Findlay lead. The Lakers answered with a 5-play, 68-yard drive that took 2:28 off the clock. James Berezik concluded the drive with a 38-yard scamper to paydirt and Todd Carter added the PAT for a 7-7 tie. Nick Lawrence recovered a fumble on the Oilers first play from scrimmage to set the Lakers up with outstanding field position. Iciek hit TE Jonn Mathews with a 19-yard TD reception on first down for a Laker TD and a 14-7 advantage. GVSU lost a fumble on its own 36 yard line early in the second quarter and Findlay drove 13 yards in six plays before Stevens converted a 32-yard field goal.

Carter gave the Lakers a 17-10 lead with a 27-yard field goal to culminate a 9-play, 28-yard scoring drive with 8:17 left in the second quarter and Iciek hit Mathews with a 13-yard scoring pass over the middle to give the Lakers a 24-10 lead with 1:44 left in the opening half. Findlay drove to the Laker one yard line in the closing seconds of the first half, but Keoishe Jones blocked a 19-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

GVSU drove 69 yards in nine plays midway through the third quarter, but stalled inside the Findlay 10. Carter booted a 22-yard field goal to up the Laker lead to 27-10. Iciek then hit Berezik with a 77-yard scoring pass midway through the fourth quarter for the final points in the 34-10 win.

Sophomore James Berezik turned in a career day and entered the Laker record books. Berezik rushed for a career-high 188 yards on 23 carries and caught four passes for 104 yards. Berezik became just the second player in Laker football history to have over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Michael Tennessee accomplished the feat on 10/4/03 versus Michigan Tech with 123 yards rushing and 105 yards receiving. Iciek completed 8-of-16 passes for 104 yards and three TDs. Mathews caught three passes for 49 yards and two TDs.

LB Gary Anderson led the defense with 11 tackles, while CB Chris Huley chipped in eight tackles and a pass deflection. LB/DL Dan Skuta added eight tackles, a QB sack and two pass deflections. Skuta's QB sack moves him into second all-time with 30, just one behind all-time leader Mike McFadden's 31. DL Danny Richard added seven tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss (-5). Punter Justin Trumble dropped five punts inside the Findlay 20 yard line and averaged 42.2 yards per punt.

Notes...GVSU is 104-10 in its last 114 games and 94-6 in its last 100...The GVSU is senior class is 47-1...GVSU has won 39 straight regular season games and a GLIAC record 37 consecutive GLIAC games...GVSU is 70-3 in its last 73 GLIAC....GVSU has outscored its opponents 122-14 in the first quarter this season.