Oct. 17, 2009

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Allendale, Mich. - No. 8 Grand Valley State claimed a 38-13 GLIAC victory over No. 18 Findlay Saturday night (Oct. 17) before a homecoming crowd of 11,428 in Lubbers Stadium. GVSU improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in GLIAC action, while Findlay falls to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in GLIAC action. Grand Valley State will hit the road next week with a 1 p.m. contest at Ashland.

When kickoff arrived Saturday night first place in the GLIAC was on the line as both teams entered with 5-1 league ledgers. GVSU, which has now won 10 straight over the Oilers, stopped the Oilers on a downs in their opening possession of the game at the Lakers' 28 yard line. The GVSU offense got going early with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 5:50 off the clock. The Lakers converted three third downs and senior QB Brad Iciek hit senior WR Blake Smolen with a 20-yard pass and catch for a TD. Senior PK Justin Trumble added the PAT for a 7-0 Laker lead. The GVSU forced a three and out and drove 60 yards in nine plays, but junior RB James Berezik was stopped on a fourth-and-one play from the one.

Senior RB P.T. Gates returned a Findlay punt 19 yards on a spectacular return in which he broke five tackles. The Lakers moved 53 yards in five plays for a Smolen two yard TD run. Iciek hit Berezik with a 27 yard pass to the UF two to set up the score. The GVSU defense then struck as sophomore Zach Breen forced a fumble that Jake McGuckin picked up and returned 18 yards to the Findlay 14 yard line. Gates concluded the drive with a one yard TD run and Trumble added his third PAT of the game for a 21-0 GVSU lead. Findlay was able to get on the board when QB Andrew Beam hit Mike Chambers with a 59 yard TD pass following a fourth down conversion. GVSU moved 33 yards in nine plays for a career-long field goal by Trumble to give GVSU a 24-7 lead at the half.

Grand Valley State took the second half kickoff and drove 59 yards in six plays for a TD. Gates moved the Lakers into scoring position with a 43 yard rush to the Findlay four and Iciek finished the drive with a one yard TD run and Trumble added the PAT for a 31-7 GVSU lead. The GVSU remained solid forcing two three and outs for the UF offense. Late in the third quarter Berezik notched a 28 yard rush and Iciek hit Smolen for 15 yards to the Oiler three. Iciek concluded the drive with his second rushing TD of the quarter and Trumble added the PAT for a 38-7 GVSU lead. Findlay closed the scoring early in the fourth quarter with a TD as the Laker subs entered the game.

Berezik toted the ball 17 times for 104 yards and caught three passes for 51 yards, while Smolen caught eight passes for 98 yards and a TD, while rushing four times for 33 yards. Gates rushed 10 times for 64 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards. Iciek completed 17-of-22 passes for 214 yards and one TD. Berezik and Smolen each tallied 155 all purpose yards, while Gates added 106. Jacob McGuckin led the defense with 10 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Justin Victor chipped in eight tackles and Zach Breen seven.

Notes...Blake Smolen became Grand Valley States all-time all-purpose yards leader when he tallied 155 yards (4,976). Smolen entered the game 88 yards behind David Kircus' 4,908 yards...James Berezik moved into third in Laker annals with his 104 rushing yards. Berezik has now rushed for 3,180 yards on 432 carries. In addition, Berezik passed Michael Tennessee for fifth in all-purpose yards (4,262)...Brad Iciek went over the 7,000-yard passing total (7,068) for his career..