Nov. 9, 2013
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Detroit, Mich. -
Grand Valley State picked up a key GLIAC road win at Wayne State Saturday in Detroit, Michigan. The Lakers, 8-2 overall and 6-2 in GLIAC action, used a balanced attack offensively and an opportunistic defense en route to the 34-20 win. GVSU, sixth in the most recent NCAA DII Super Region 4 rankings, will entertain Saginaw Vallye State next Saturday (Nov. 16) at Lubbers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Grand Valley State took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in seven plays for a score on its opening possession. Junior QB Heath Parling hit sophomore tight end Jamie Potts with a 19 yard TD pass to conclude a drive that took 4:09 off the clock. Parling was 3-for-3 for 69 yards on the drive.
The Laker defense, which allowed just 24 yards in the opening quarter on six plays, set the offense up late in the first quarter and on a third and four play Parling hit senior WR Brandan Green with a slip screen pass Green went 82 yards for a touchdown. The drive was three plays for 88 yards and took just 53 seconds. Freshman place kicker Joel Schipper added his second PAT for a 14-0 Laker lead.
Wayne State answered with an 85 yard kickoff return by Val Showers, but the GVSU special teams came up with a big play. Freshman LB Marquez Gollman recovered a fumbled Wayne State punt at the Warrior 20 yard line. The Lakers were unable to pick up a first down, but Schipper connected on a 30 yard field goal to up the GVSU lead to 17-7. Special teams play came up big late in the second quarter as junior DL Frank Boenzi blocked a Wayne State field goal attempt that senior LB Jordan Kaufman picked up and returned 56 yards for a touchdown to up the lead to 24-7 heading into the lockerrom at the half.
Wayne State opened the second half with a 8-play, 66-yard drive that took 4:18 off the clock as Michael Johnson raced in from 18 yards to close within 10 points (24-14).
The Laker offense answered with an impressive 11-play, 82-yard drive that took 4:37 off the clock. Parling hit junior WR Darryl Pitts with a key seven yard completion on third down and later hit Potts with a 28-yard completion on third down. Sophomore RB Ben Hutchins went the final seven yards for the TD to give GVSU a 31-14 lead.
Following an interception by senior SS Erik Thompson the Lakers drove 54 yards in 10 plays for a Schipper kicked a 23 yard field goal to give GVSU a 34-14 lead.
Wayne State scored a late touchdown against the Laker second defensive unit.
The GVSU offense churned out 192 yards rushing and 209 yards passing for 432 total yards. Junior RB Chris Robinson toted the ball 21 times for 108 yards, while freshman Terrell Dorsey added 56 yards and sophomore Ben Hutchins chipped in 42 yards on 10 carries with a TD. Parling was 11-for-24 for 240 yards and two TDs. Green hauled in five passes for 119 yards and a TD, Potts three for 77 yards and a score and Pitts three for 44. Schipper connected on two field goals.
The Laker defense recovered two fumbles, picked off three passes and blocked two kicks. Wayne State managed just 220 total yards versus the Laker starting defensive unit. Senior LB Jordan Kaufman led the defense with nine tackles, three tackles for loss (-6) and returned a blocked field goal 57 yards for a TD. Junior DL Matt Mosley chipped in nine tackles. Senior CB Reggie Williams picked off two passes, while Thompson added an interception. Junior CB Devonte Jones forced and recovered a fumble and freshman LB Marquez Gollman also recovered a fumble.
