Nov. 28, 2009

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Duluth, Minn. - Grand Valley State used a stellar defensive effort and an opportunistic offense en route to a 24-10 NCAA DII Quarterfinal playoff win at the University of Minnesota-Duluth Saturday (Nov. 28) before a crowd of 4,211. The Lakers (12-1) will now host Carson-Newman (11-2) Saturday, Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Lubbers Stadium. Saturday's game at Minnesota-Duluth marked the ninth straight year the Lakers have appeared in the NCAA quarterfinals.

The game didn't exactly start the way GVSU head coach Chuck Martin envisioned. UMD's Harlon Hill candidate, Isaac Odim, returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a TD.

"I wanted the ball to start the game, but I wasn't looking for Isaac Odim to run the kickoff back," stated Martin.

Grand Valley State answered quickly with a seven-play, 75-yard scoring drive of its own. Senior QB Brad Iciek hit junior WR Ryan Bass with a 23 yard TD pass at the 7:27 mark of the first quarter. Senior PK Justin Trumble added the PAT for a 7-7 tie.

"We moved the ball on our first drive and missed Blake Smolen, but it was nice to even the game at that point because we felt like we could move the ball offensively," added Martin.

The Laker defense then picked off the first of four passes on UMD's next possession. Junior DL Nick Lawrence tipped a pass that junior LB Justin Victor intercepted and returned 33 yards to the Bulldog three yard line. Senior RB P.T. Gates scored on a one yard run to give the Lakers a 14-7 lead.

Odim went back to work and returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards to the GVSU 24 yard line. However, the Laker defense held and forced a 34 yard field goal by David Nadeau.

"We gave up 10 points in that first quarter all on kickoff coverage," said Martin.

The Laker offense drove 69 yards in 14 plays on its next possession as Trumble kicked a 30 yard field goal to up the GVSU lead to 17-10 with 11:14 left in the second quarter.

The GVSU defense came with several big defensive stops in the second quarter and the Lakers held a 17-10 halftime lead.

"I felt great about the way our defense was playing in the first half and we probably should have been up by more than our 17-10 lead," added Martin.

GVSU took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove inside Bulldog territory, but Trumble was short on a 41 yard field goal. The Laker defense was the story of the second half as Minnesota-Duluth was stopped twice on downs and three times on interceptions.

"Our defense made the plays when they were there to be made," said Martin. "We kept stressing play the next play and in the end they made the final play."

Minnesota Duluth drove inside the Laker 50 yard line, but GVSU's Brad Howard picked off a Vogler pass and returned it 43 yards to the UMD 32 yard line. Iciek then hit sophomore WR Greg Gay with a 32 yards TD pass on the first play and Trumble added the PAT for a 24-10 Grand Valley State lead midway through the third quarter.

The Bulldogs then drove inside the Laker 20 yard line on its ensuing drive behind a couple of big plays from UMD receiver D.J. Winfield. However, Dominique Darden picked off a Vogler pass at the GVSU nine yard line and returned it to the Laker 22 yard line to thwart another drive.

The Laker defense held on a fourth and one play at the GVSU 22 yard line when Odim was tackled for no gain and senior safety Jake McGuckin effectively ended the game with a pick in end zone at the 6:25 mark of the fourth quarter. Odim came into the game averaging 145 yards per game, but was held to 67 yards on 18 carries.

Iciek completed 14-of-27 passes for 225 yards and two TDs, while also toting the ball six times for 27 yards. Bass hauled in a career-high seven receptions for a career-high 127 yards and a TD. Gay caught three passes for 70 yards and a TD. The Lakers rushed for 168 yards versus a UMD defense that came into the game allowing just 60.8 yards per game. Gates led the way via the ground with 86 yards on 13 carries, while Jimmy Berezik chipped in 53 yards on 18 carries. GVSU's 168 rushing yards were the most the Bulldog defense yielded during the 2009 campaign.

Victor led the Laker defense with 12 tackles, including 10 solo, two tackles for loss (-4) and an interception. McGuckin added nine tackles and a pick, while sophomore DL Andre Thomas tallied eight tackles, a pass break up and a QB sack. The GVSU defense recorded six tackles for loss and two QB sacks.The Laker offense also held a 35:06 to 24:54 advantage in time of possession.