Sept. 25, 2011

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Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State dropped a 26-20 decision to Findlay Saturday night at Lubbers Stadium. GVSU falls to 1-3 overall and 0-3 in GLIAC action, while Findlay improves to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in GLIAC action. GVSU will host Tiffin next Saturday (Oct. 1) at Lubbers Stadium.

Grand Valley State turned the ball over six times with three lost fumbles and three interceptions as Findlay scored 23 of its 26 points off Laker turnovers. The Lakers turned the ball over four times inside its own 40 yard line and twice inside the Findlay 28 yard line.

The Laker defense gave up two big plays to start the game, but held Findlay to a field goal. Erik Thompson returned the Oiler kickoff 49 yards to the Findlay 39 yard line and GVSU drove 39 yards in seven plays for the go ahead TD. Sophomore Hersey Jackson finished the drive with a 2 yard TD run and Ryan Stokes added the PAT.

The GVSU offense then went into self destruct mode with four straight turnovers, two interceptions and two fumbles. Findlay turned the fumbles into 14 points and led 17-7 with 8:11 left in the second quarter. GVSU managed a 21 yard field goal by Stoke to cut the Findlay lead to 17-10 at the half.

Less than a minute into the second half UF safety Isaiah Ballard stripped the ball from GVSU WR Charles Johnson following a 9-yard receptions and returned it 39 yards for a TD to up the Oiler lead to 23-10.

The Laker offense answered with a 7-play, 63-yard touchdown drive. Jackson went the final 11 yards and Stokes added the PAT to cut the Findlay lead to 23-17. GVSU drove inside Oiler 25 yard line, but sophomore QB Heath Parling was picked off to thwart the drive. Findlay drove 73 yards in 12 plays and kicked a field goal following the sixth GVSU turnover to up its lead to 26-17.

Grand Valley State drove to the Findlay one yard line, but failed on three consecutive runs and had to settle for a 19 yard field goal from Stokes. GVSU was not able to get the ball back as UF picked up a pair of third down conversions to seal the win.

GVSU running back Hersey Jackson rushed for a career-high 124 yards and two TDs on 28 carries. Running back mate Norman Shuford added 77 yards on 12 carries and moved past the 1,000-yard career mark (1,058). Parling completed 11-of-18 passes for 140 yards, while senior TE Tony Carreri caught three passes for 51 yards. Johnson and Shurford each collected three catches.

Senior DL Andre Thomas led the defense with 10 total tackles and three TFL (-12). Senior LB Brad Howard added eight stops. GVSU notched nine tackles for loss (-31) and two QB sacks.