#9 Grand Valley State dropped a 45-31 decision at #5 Ashland Saturday evening. The Lakers fall to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in GLIAC action, while Ashland improves to 9-0 both overall and in GLIAC action. GVSU will stay on the road with a GLIAC contest at Tiffin next Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. 

Coming into the game few would have thought this was going an offensive shootout, but after 60 minutes of football the teams combined for 985 yards of total offense and 76 points. However, two defensive stops by the Ashland defense inside its own five yard proved to be the difference.

Grand Valley State struck first with a 40 yard field goal by junior PK Joel Schipper to conclude a 9-play, 52-yard drive that took 3:20 off the clock. However, Ashland answered with a 9-play, 68-yard drive that took 3:53 off the clock to take a 7-3 lead. 

The first Ashland stop that made a major difference in the game was on the Lakers next possession. Matt Williams returned a 60 yard punt 24 yards to the GVSU 32 yard line and the Lakers moved deep into Eagle territory. The GVSU offense was unable to punch it in and Ashland held the Lakers on fourth-and-goal play from the Eagle one yard line. To make matters worse the eagles drove 99 yards in six plays for a TD to take a 14-3 lead. Ashland had a 72 yard completion and was assisted with a roughing the passer and face mask penalty on the drive. 

GVSU answered with a scoring drive of its own, moving 67 yards in six plays for a touchdown. Junior QB Bart Williams hit senior WR Jamie Potts with a key third down completion to keep the drive alive and then found junior WR Matt Williams with a 40 yard TD pass. Schipper added the PAT to pull the Lakers back to within four (14-10). 

Ashland went back on top 21-10 with a TD at the 5:19 mark of the second quarter to up its lead to 21-10.

Senior RB Kirk Spencer returned the ensuing kickoff 39 yards from the endzone and Bart Williams hit freshman WR Nick Dodson with a 61 yard TD pass on the first play to get the Lakers back to within four (21-17).

Ashland finished the half with a 26-yard field goal to take a 24-17 lead into the lockerroom. 

Ashland took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 74 yards in 12 plays to up its lead to 31-17 lead with 9:04 left in the third quarter. GVSU answered, driving 75 yards in seven play for a TD when B. Williams hit M. Williams with a 20 yard TD pass. 

Ashland answered again with an 11-play, 51-yard scoring drive to build its lead back to 14 (38-24). 

Ashland stopped the Lakers with a second goal line stand to maintain its advantage, but a GVSU defensive stop gave the Lakers another chance. GVSU drove 29-yards in six plays as B. Williams hit M. Williams with a TD pass that covered 19 yards to pull GVSU within seven (38-31) with 8:40 left in the game. 

Ashland put the finishing touches on the win with a 46 yard TD run by Settlemire.

B. Williams completed 21-of-41 passes for 387 yards and four TDs, while three Laker receivers went over the 100 yard mark. Jamie Potts and Nick Dodson each caught six passes for 111 yards, while M. Williams caught five passes for 123 yards and three TDs. Kirk Spencer rushed for 52 yards on 12 carries as GVSU notched 451 yards of total offense. Spencer added 126 kickoff return yards.  Marquez Gollman led the defense with 13 tackles and Donte Carey added 10.