Sept. 13, 2008

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University Center, Mich. - #2 Grand Valley State started fast and finished strong en route to a convincing 36-0 shutout victory over #25 Saginaw Valley State in driving rainstorm Saturday afternoon in University Center, Mich. GVSU improves to 2-0 on the year, while SVSU falls to 1-1. The shutout was the first time the Lakers shutout the Cardinals in the 37-game series.

Grand Valley State forced a three-and-out on its opening defensive possession and promptly went on a 16-play, 82-yard drive that consumed 7:32 and ended with a James Berezik's 3-yard run. The Laker defense forced another three-and-out and took possession on the SVSU 49 yard line. Junior RB Blake Smolen rushed for 11 yards, followed by a 38-yard TD run by freshman RB/WR Greg Gay to up the Laker lead to 14-0 with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

"That was a great way to get started in the first quarter under some tough weather conditions," said GVSU head coach Chuck Martin. "Our offensive and defensive lines took control of the game from the opening series and that was something we talked about before the game."

Sophomore CB Chris Huley picked off a Danny Stiefel pass on the Cardinals second play and returned it 25 yards to the Saginaw Valley State three. The Cardinal defense held and forced a Todd Carter 19-yard field goal to put the Lakers up 17-0.

Saginaw Valley State picked up its initial first down on a Grand Valley State face mask penalty on the final play of the first quarter. The teams traded punts until midway through the second quarter when the Lakers drove 80 yards in five plays plays for a TD. Junior QB Brad Iciek hit Jonn Mathews with a 30-yard pass and catch, before Berezik scored on a nifty 22-yard run to put the Lakers up 24-0 with 3:06 left in the second stanza. GVSU rushed for 183 yards on 27 carries, while Iciek completed 7-of-14 passes for 75 yards. The Laker defense held Saginaw Valley State to -8 yards rushing on eight carries and 28 yards passing in the first half for a total of a total of 20 yards.

"I was pleased with our total team effort in the first half," said Martin. "We played fast in all facets of the game."

Grand Valley State scored its only points of the third quarter on an 11-play, 88-yard drive that took 6:29 off the clock. Iciek hit TE Jonn Mathews with a 12-yard TD pass to put the Lakers up 31-0. Grand Valley State scored a safety when the snap from center on a punt went through the endzone. Freshman LB Brad Howard picked off a pass that led to a Carter 18-yard field goal and a 36-0 Laker lead.

Berezik led the Laker ground game with 17 carries for 117 yards and two TDs, while Smolen added 77 yards on 10 carries. Iciek completed 11-of-18 passes for 111 yards and one TD. Mathews caught three passes for 48 yards. GVSU recorded eight tackles for loss (-29 yards) and three QB sacks (-17). Sophomore safety Matt Bakker led the defense with seven tackles, while Huley chipped in six tackles in addition to his interception.

GVSU rushed for 277 yards on 49 carries and passed for 111 yards. The Lakers tallied 388 yards of total offense, while Saginaw Valley State was limited to 101 yards of total offense, including just four on the ground.

Notes... Grand Valley State is 100-10 since 2000...The Lakers have won 33 straight regular season game and 32 straight GLIAC games...Berezik has rushed for over 100 in both games this season and six in his career...The shutout was the Lakers' first since a 13-0 win at Findlay in the 2006 season opener.