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Grand Valley State picked up a 42-36 decision at Findlay Saturday afternoon. GVSU is now 4-4 overall and 4-3 in GLIAC action, while Findlay falls to 4-4 overall and 3-4 in GLIAC action. GVSU will host Ashland next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lubbers Stadium.

Grand Valley State senior running back Chris Robinson set the tone early on his record setting day. Robinson went 64 yards for a TD on the second play of the game and dominated throughout the afternoon en route to his GVSU single-game rushing record 261 yards on 33 carries. Robinson broke the 256-yard effort that John Mahan produced versus Manchester College nearly 41 years ago (10/27/73). In addition, Robinson moved into the number 12 spot in career rushing yards with 2,243, passing current teammate Michael Ratay (2,226). 

Grand Valley State took the opening kickoff and struck quickly as Robinson took a handoff on the second play of the game and raced 64 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore PK Joel Schipper added the PAT and GVSU had a 7-0 lead. The Laker defense forced a three-and-out on the Oilers first possession and sophomore WR Matt Williams returned a punt 29 yards to the Findlay 30 yard line. On first down senior QB Heath Parling found a wide open Jamie Potts down the middle of the field for a touchdown and following the PAT GVSU led 14-0. 

Findlay came into the game with the GLIAC's most potent offense and they were as advertised with senior QB Verlon Reed and WR Lloyd Henry. Trailing 14-0, Findlay answered with a 22-yard field goal and following a Parling interception, the Oilers drove 59 yards in three plays for a touchdown. GVSU blocked the PAT and led 14-9. 

The GVSU offense continued to roll, driving 75 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Parling hit WR Kameel Jackson with an 18-yard pass and catch for Jackson's first career TD reception. Parling also hit WR Joe Robbins with an 18 yard completion on the drive. Findlay drove 88 yards in eight plays and scored on a 7-yard pass on a fake field goal, but the PAT was wide right and the Laker lead was six (21-15). 

GVSU answered offensively as Robinson led an 8-play, 75-yard scoring drive on the ground and went the final 22 yards for a TD on fourth-and-two. 

Findlay answered with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and the Laker lead was 28-22. However, the offensive fireworks were far from over in the first half.

The Laker offense answered again after Findlay attempted an onside kick. Robinson scampered 44 yards for a touchdown on second down to up the advantage to 35-22, but Findlay added a late touchdown to pull with six (35-29) at the half. 

Findlay got the ball to start the second half and drove to the GVSU 30 yard line, but on fourth and five junior DE Matt Judon came up with a big sack to thwart the dive. The GVSU offense went on a 13-play, 57-yard scoring drive, picking up two fourth down conversions to keep the drive alive. Parling hit Potts with a 7-yard TD pass and after the Schipper PAT GVSU led 42-29. 

The Laker defense continued to get stops and and forced a turnover prior to senior punter Chris Picano pinning UF on its own 1-yard line. However, the Oilers drove 99 yards in seven plays and concluded the drive with a 34 yard pass and catch from QB Verlon Reed to Lloyd Henry and following the PAT the Laker lead was six (42-36).

Robinson toted the ball 33 times for 261 yards and three TDs to lead the ground attack. Parling completed 7-of-17 passes for 114 yards and three TDs, while Potts hauled in three passes for 46 yards and two TDs. Defensively, Matt Judon led the way with a career-high 14 tackles, 5.5 (-24) tackles for loss and 2.5 (-19) QB sacks., Deonte Hurst chipped in seven stops. On the day, GVSU tallied three QB sacks and nine tackles for loss.