GVSU-Ashland Football Gamenotes

The #12 Grand Valley State Laker football team is set for an NCAA DII Football Playoff matchup at #3 Ashland Saturday (Nov. 21) at Jack Miller Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 noon. Grand Valley State athletics announced that the game will be televised live on Comcast/Xfinity 900 and the internet at www.gvsulakers.com. The action can also be heard live on the Grand Valley Sports Network, including flagship station ESPN 96.1. 

Grand Valley State will be making its 17th trip to the NCAA DII Playoffs, the third highest total among active DII schools. In addition, GVSU's 31 wins ranks second all-time and its .721 winning percentrage is also second. GVSU is 31-11 all-time in the NCAA DII playoffs, including a 31-6 mark since 2001. The Lakers have won four NCAA DII National Championships since 2002 and advanced to the NCAA title game six times since 2001 and the semifinals eight times since 2001. The Lakers advanced to the semifinals in 2013 before dropping a 27-13 to eventual National Champion Northwest Missouri State. 


RADIO AFFILIATES
ESPN-FM 96.1 Grand Rapids
WMUS-FM 107.9 Muskegon
WDFN-AM 1130 Detroit
WKMI-AM 1360 Kalamazoo
WIMS-AM 1420 Michigan City, Ind.
WHFB-AM 1060 Benton Harbor-St. Joseph
WBRN-AM 1460 Big Rapids
WBRN-FM 107.7 Big Rapidss
WBRN-FM 95.1 Reed City
WHTC-AM 1450 Holland
WLBY-AM 1290 Ann Arbor

The Series
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Ashland by a 16-4 margin, but the Eagles have won the last two meetings, including a 45-31 win over the Lakers three weeks ago in Ashland. Grand Valley State had won 14 consecutive games in the series prior to Ashland's 37-14 win over GVSU a year ago in Allendale. That win marked the first for the Eagles since a 29-14 victory over the Lakers in 1993. GVSU is averaging 35.3 points offensively, while yielding just 17.7 over the last nine meetings. 

• Grand Valley State is in its 45th season of football and sport a 368-136-3 all-time record. GVSU's .726 winning percentage tops all Division II schools and is third all-time in all divisions behind Notre Dame (.733) and Michigan (.732).

• Grand Valley State will be making its 17th trip to the NCAA DII Playoffs, the third highest total among active DII schools. In addition, GVSU's 31 wins ranks second all-time and its .721 winning percentrage is also second. GVSU is 31-11 all-time in the NCAA DII playoffs, including a 31-6 mark since 2001. The Lakers have won four NCAA DII National Championships since 2002 and advanced to the NCAA title game six times since 2001 and advanced to at least the semifinals eight times since 2001. The Lakers advanced to the semifinals in 2013 before dropping a 27-13 to eventual National Champion Northwest Missouri State. 

Last Week
• Grand Valley State claimed a 24-17 win over Saginaw Valley State last Saturday before a crowdof 12,591. GVSU jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and never looked back. Sophomore QB Bart Williams completed 15-of-27 passes for 301 yards and two TDs, while RB Kirk Spencer rushed for 137 yards and a TD on 30 carries. Matt Williams hauled in four passes for 106 yards and a TD and Jamie Potts caught four passes for 104 yards and a TD. 
• Laker Football since 2001
    - Last 100 games in regular season    85-15
    - Last 100 games overall    80-20
    - Overall record since last six games of 2000    175-27
    - Regular season mark since last six games of 2000    145-20
    - Regular season mark since 2001    139-20
    - Home record since 2001    95-8
    - Road record since 2001    69-17
    - Neutral site record since 2001    6-2
    - GLIAC record since 2001    126-19
    - GLIAC home record since 2001    66-7
    - GLIAC road record since 2001    58-12    
*Two neutral site GLIAC Games (2-0)

• Sophomore QB Bart Williams has completed 202-of-344 passes for 3,124 yards and 35 TDs...Williams is averaging 284.0 yards passing per game and has a pass efficiency rating of 161.60...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 3rd in the country in passing TDs with 35...3rd in the GLIAC and 6th nationally in passing efficiency (161.60)...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 9th nationally in yards per completion (15.46)...Broke the 300 yard passing mark six times in 2015, including each of the last four games...Tossed three or more TDs in a game eight times, four or more four times and five once.
• Impressive college debut, completing 23-of-36 passes for 300 yards and four TDs vs. Southwest Baptist...Williams' 23 completions, four TDs and 300 passing yards were all Laker football highs for a first-time starter.
• Completed 15-of-31 passes for 195 yards and one TD at #7 Ohio Dominican in first road start.
• Completed 14-of-32 passes for 227 yards and three TDs vs. Ferris State.
• Completed 12-of-17 passes for 262 yards and two TDs at Lake Erie. Averaged 21.8 yards per completion vs. the Storm.
• Completed 19-of-32 passes for 156 yards and three TDs vs. Hillsdale.
• Completed 25-of-37 passes for 327 yards and four TDs at Wayne State.
• Hit on 16-of-26 passes for 280 yards and three TDs vs. #9 Michigan Tech.
• Completed 22-of-36 passes for a career-high 383 yards and four TDs vs. Findlay.
• Completed 21-of-41 passes for 387 yards and four TDs at #5 Ashland.
• Completed 20-of-30 passes for 301 yards and five TDs at Tiffin.
• Completed 15-of-27 passes for 301 yards and two TDs vs. Saginaw Valley State

• Senior WR Jamie Potts has 38 catches for 765 yards and 12 TDs...Third in the GLIAC and 15th nationally in receiving TDs (12)....Averaging 41.0 yards per punt and has dropped 10 inside the opponent 10 yard line...moved into 3rd on the all-time receptions list with 163, while ranking second in receiving yards (2,896) and TDs (35)...Broke the 100-yard receiving mark four times...Caught two passes for 39 yards and a TD in his first game of the season vs. Ferris State...Hauled in four rececptions for 102 yards and a TD at Lake Erie...Pulled down four catches for 45 yards and two TDs vs. Hillsdale...Caught four passes for 59 yards and a TD at Wayne State...Hauled in three passes for 80 yards and two TDs vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Caught six passes for 150 yards and two TDs, while also taking a fake punt 60 yards for a rushing TD...Hauled in six catches for 111 yards at #5 Ashland...Caught five passes for 75 yards and two TDs at Tiffin...Caught four passes for 104 yards and a TD vs. SVSU.

• Junior WR Matt Williams leads the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (847) and TD catches (13)...Ranks second in the GLIAC and 9th nationally TD catches...Second in the GLIAC and ranks fifth nationally in punt return average (15.2 ypr)...Broke the 100-yard receiving mark four times...Set then career highs in receptions (7), yards (104) and TD catches (2) in the opener vs. SBU...Returned one punt for 23 yards...Caught three passes for 36 yards and a TD at #7 Ohio Dominican...Caught four passes for 80 yards and a TD, while returning a punt 40 yards at Lake Erie...Hauled in five catches for 42 yards and a TD vs. Hillsdale...Returned a punt 61 yards for a TD, the 7th-longest punt return for a TD in Laker football history...Caught six passes for 56 yards and a TD, while returning a punt 26 yards at Wayne State...Pulled down three passes for 52 yards vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Caught five passes for a career-high 123 yards and three TDs at Ashland...Established career-highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (158) at Tiffin, while also catching two TD passes...Hauled in four receptions for 106 yards and a TD vs. SVSU. 

• Freshman WR Nick Dodson has 22 receptions for 380 yards and four TDs...Caught three passes for 43 yards and his first collegiate TD at Wayne State...Caught one pass for 52 yards vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Hauled in a career three receptions for 56 yards and a TD vs. Findlay...Caught a career-high six passes for 111 yards and a TD at #5 Ashland, breaking the 100-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career...Hauled in two receptions for 32 yards and a TD at Tiffin...Caught four passes for 61 yards vs. SVSU

• Sophomore Urston Smith has 10 receptions for 114 yards and a TD in 2015...Made an impressive debut for the Lakers, hauling in three receptions for 47 yards, including a 31-yard TD reception...Caught two passes for 18 yards vs. Findlay.

• Senior RB Kirk Spencer leads the squad with 966 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 180 carries...Hauled 33 passes for 239 yards and returned 24 kickoffs for 593 yards (24.7 ypr)...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 11th nationally in all-purpose yards with 1,798 yards...3rd in career all-purpose yards for the Lakers with 4,878...Ranks 7th in career rushing yards with 2,740 yards...Named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week vs. Lake Erie College after accounting for five TDs...Rushed for 94 yards and two TDs on 18 carries, while returning three kickoffs for 81 yards at #7 Ohio Domincian...Rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries, caught four passes for 16 yards and returned three kickoffs 76 yards vs. Ferris State...Rushed for 164 yards and four TDs, caught two passes for 15 yards and returned four kickoffs 73 yards at Lake Erie...Toted the ball 13 times for 58 yards and returned two kickoffs 50 yards vs. Hillsdale...Rushed for 88 yards and a TD and caught three passes for 41 yards at Wayne State...Broke the 100-yard rushing mark with 103 yards vs. #9 Michigan Tech and notched 209 all-purpose yards...Rushed for 79 yards and a TD, whle catching five passes for 42 yards vs. Findlay...Rushed for 117 yards and two TDs, while also recording 224 all-purpose yards at Tiffin...Rushed for 137 yards on 30 carries and notched 193 all-purpose yards vs. SVSU.

• RS Freshman RB Marty Carter has rushed for 449 yards and three TD on 62 carries in seven games...Broke the 100-yard rushing mark for first time of his career vs. Hillsdale (102)...Rushed 76 yards and a TD, while catching two passes for 11 yards in his first collegiate game vs. Southwest Baptist...Ripped off a 52-yard run vs. SBU...Rushed for 93 yards on 11 carries at Lake Erie...Rushed for 102 yards and a TD on just eight carries vs. Hillsdale...Toted the ball six times for 37 yards and a TD vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Rushed for 41 yards on four carries vs. Findlay...Rushed for 41 yards on five carries at Tiffin.

• Senior DL Matt Judon leads the nation, regardless of division in QB sacks with 18.0 (-118)...Ranks second in the GLIAC in tackles for loss with 19.0 (-119) and 16th nationally...18.0 QB sacks ranks as the 4th-best single-season total in DII history and is the sixth-best total in college football histor...32.0 career QB sacks is second in GVSU annals behind Dan Skuta's 32.5...Ranks fifth on the team in total tackles with 52...Judon has 176 career tackles and ranks second in career QB sacks (32.0) and  8th in TFL with 46.5 TFL in his career...Opened the season in fine fashion. Judon was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the opener vs. Southwest Baptist. Judon tallied nine total tackles, including 4.5 QB sacks (-21) which was the second-best, single-game total in GVSU history...Notched seven tackles, a QB sack (-7) and a TFL at #7 Ohio Dominican...Tallied five tackles a QB sack (-4) and a TFL (-4) vs. Ferris State..Recorded three tackles and a pass breakup vs. Hillsdale...Tallied eight tackles and 3.5 QB sacks (-20) and TFL (3.5) at Wayne State...Notched six tackles and 2.5 QB sacks (-19) and TFL...Recorded four tackles, 2.0 TFL (-13) and 2.0 QB sacks (-13) vs. Findlay...Tallied 3.5 QB sacks (-33) and 3.5 TFL at Tiffin.

• Junior DL DeOndre Hogan has 51 tackles, 8.0 TFL (-20), 3 QB sack (-12) and an interception...Recorded nine tackles, 3.0 TFL (-6) and a QB sack (-2) in the opener vs. SBU...Tallied five tackles and a TFL at #7 Ohio Dominican...Recorded three tackles at Wayne State...Tallied eight tackles, a QB sack (-9) and a TFL (-9) vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Notched six tackles a QB sack (-1) and a TFL (-1) vs. Findlay...Has 104 career tackles, 18.5 TFL and 10 QB sacks...Tallied six tackles and a TFL at #5 Ashland...Recorded four tackles at Tiffin. 

• Junior LB David Talley leads the squad in total tackles with 98...Has 8.0 TFL (-27) and three QB sack (-18)...Tallied eight tackles, a TFL (-5) and a QB sack (-3) in the Lakers' opener vs. SBU...Recorded 10 tackles and a TFL at #7 Ohio Dominican...Tallied a season-high 13 tackles and 2.0 TFL vs. Ferris State...Notched four tackles and two QB hurries vs. Hillsdale...Recorded three tackles at Wayne State...Recorded the sixth-best, single-game tackle total with 18 vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Notched 11 tackles, 3.0 TFL (-13) and 2.0 QB sacks (-12) vs. Findlay...Tallied 10 tackles vs. SVSU...Recorded 179 career tackles and 17.0 TFL and 5.5 QB sacks.

• RS Freshman Devin McKissic has 38 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery...Turned in a strong performance in his first collegiate game with seven solo tackles and recovered a fumble, while also returning six kickoffs for 137 yards vs. SBU...Tallied six tackles and picked off first pass in his career at #7 Ohio Dominican...Notched four tackles and a pass deflection at Lake Erie...Picked off a pass and tallied a PBU at Wayne State...Tallied six tackles vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Notched four tackles and a pass breakup at Tiffin...Four tackles and a pass break up vs. SVSU.

• Sophomore LB Collin Schlosser ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 64 tackles, while also recording 5.0 QB sacks (-27) and 6.0 TFL (-31) this season...Tallied six tackles, a QB sack (-9) that resulted in a safety vs. SBU...Tallied six tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.0 QB sacks vs. Ferris State...Notched five tackles vs. Hillsdale, including a TFL (-3)...Notched three tackles a QB sack (-7) and a TFL (-7) at Wayne State...Recorded a career-high 15 tackles vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Tallied four tackles, a PBU and a QB hurry vs. Findlay...Notched seven tackles at #5 Ashland...Tallied nine tackles at Tiffin...Recorded seven tackles, two QB sacks (-7) and two TFL (-7) vs. SVSU. 

• Junior LB Marquez Gollman ranks second on the team in total tackles with 89...Has 4.5 TFL (-16), a QB sack, two interceptions and four PBU...Notched four tackles, 1.5 TFL (-7) and a QB sack in the season opener vs. SBU...Tallied five tackles and picked off a pass at #7 Ohio Dominican...Notched six tackles vs. FSU...Notched seven tackles, a TFL and returned an interception 35 yards for a TD at Lake Erie...Tallied five tackles vs. Hillsdale...Recorded a team-high nine tackles at Wayne State...Notched a career-high 17 tackles vs. #9 Michigan Tech, the sixth-best, single-game mark in GVSU annals...Tallied eight tackles a TFL and a PBU vs. Findlay...Recorded 13 tackles and a pass break up at #5 Ashland...Notched 12 tackles and a TFL at Tiffin...Tallied three tackles and a TFL (-3) vs. SVSU. 

• Sophomore FS Garrett Pougnet ranks third on the team in total tackles with 77, while also recording 6.5 TFL (-13), two interceptons and a forced a fumble...Recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFL (-2) and picked off a pass vs. SBU...Notched nine tackles, a TFL and forced a fumble at #7 Ohio Dominican...Tallied a career-high 13 tackles at Lake Erie...Notched nine tackles and 1.5 TFL (-3) vs. Hillsdale...Notched three tackles and a TFL at Wayne State...Recorded 10 tackles, a QB sack (-5) and a TFL (-5) vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Tallied seven tackles, a TFL and a QB hurry vs. Findlay...Notched nine stops at #5 Ashland...Tallied seven tackles and two pass breakup vs. SVSU.

• Senior SS Brad Horling ranks seventh on the team in total tackles with 54...Tallied 3.0 TFL (-14)...Horling has 247 tackles, 20.5 TFL, seven pass deflections and three INTs in his career...Tallied two tackles vs. SBU to hit the 200 career-tackles mark...Recorded four tackles at #7 Ohio Dominican...Notched 10 tackles and 1.5 TFL (-7) at Lake Erie...Recorded five tackles at Wayne State...Tallied six tackles and a TFL (-6) vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Notched six tackles at Tiffin...Recorded five tackles vs. SVSU.

• Junior LB Joe Moran has 53 total tackles, 4.0 TFL and a 2.0 QB sacks...Recorded five tackles and an interception vs. SBU...Notched seven tackles at #7 Ohio Dominican...Recorded eight tackles vs. Ferris State...Tallied two tackles, a QB sack (-5) and a TFL (-5) Lake Erie...Notched five tackles and .5 QB sack and TFL at Wayne State...Tallied five tackles vs. Findlay...Notched seven tackles at #5 Ashland...Recorded eight tackles and a TFL at Tiffin.

• Junior DE Alton Voss ranks seventh on the team in tackles with 48...Second on the squad with 8.0 TFL...Has 2.0 QB sacks, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery...Tallied two tackles and a TFL (-6) vs. SBU...Named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort vs. Hillsdale...Notched six tackles and a PBU at #7 Ohio Domincian...Recorded a career-high nine tackles and a TFL vs. Ferris State...Tallied four tackles and 2.0 TFL (-5) at Lake Erie...Notched seven tackles and a career-high 3.0 TFL (-11) vs. Hillsdale...Notched four tackles and reovered a fumble vs. #9 Michigan Tech...Recorded three tackles and 1.0 QB sacks (-7) and a TFL (-7)...Tallied three tackles and a QB sack at Tiffin...Three tackles and a TFL (-3) vs. SVSU.

• Junior PK Joel Schipper is 52-for-54 in PATs and 12-for-13 in field goals in 2015...Leads the nation in FG percentage (.917)...Fourth in the GLIAC in field goals per game (1.25)...Ranks 5th in GVSU annals in career points with 251...He has converted 158-of-163 PATs in his career...Schipper is 31-of-37 in career field goals...Was 3-3 in PATs and 2-2 in field goals with a 44 yarder in the wind and the game-winner from 22 yards out at #7 Ohio Dominican...Kicked a career-long 46 yard field goal vs. FSU...Converted 8-of-9 PATs and hit a 22 yard field goal at Lake Erie...Hit a career-high three FG (37, 29, 24) vs. Hillsdale...Hit a 27 yard field goal and was 5-for-5 in PATs at Wayne State...Kicked a 34 yard field goal and converted five PATs vs. #9 Michigan Tech...7-for-7 in PATs and 1-2 in field goals vs. Findlay...Converted a 40 yard field goal and four PATs at #5 Ashland.

• GVSU ranks second the nation in QB sacks with 38 (-236) and fourth in the Nation in tackles for loss with 85 (-355)...Eighteen Lakers have tallied a TFL, while 10 have a QB sack. 

• The Lakers rank first in the GLIAC in turnover Margin (1.10) and turnovers gained (25).

• Grand Valley State ranks third in the GLIAC and 5th nationally in team pass efficiency rating (162.44).

• GVSU leads the GLIAC in fumble recoveries (14).

• The Lakers are third in the GLIAC in scoring offense (40.6).

• The Laker defense tallied nine QB sacks (-53) and 16 tackles for loss (-83) in the opener versus Southwest Baptist. The nine QB sacks ranks second all-time in a single-game, while the 16.0 TFL is third all-time. 

• GVSU recorded six QB sacks (-33) and 10 TFL (-41) vs. Findlay.

• The Laker offense tallied 678 yards of total offenseat Lake Erie, a total ranks fifth all-time in a single-game...The Lakers notched 648 yards of total offense vs. Findlay, the 11th-best mark for a single-game all-time.

• The GVSU ground game churned out 387 yards at Lake Erie, the eighth-best single-game total of all-time.

• The GVSU defense held Hillsdale College to 53 rushing yards, 84 passing yards and 170 total yards...HC held possession of the ball for just 8:08 in the second half. 

• GVSU was 14-for-21 in third down conversions and 1-for-1 on fourth down  (15-for-22) at Wayne State.

• Grand Valley State has the second longest streak for consecutive games without being shutout at 289 games. The Lakers were last shutout by Ferris State (23-0) in 1992. Valdosta State's 291 games without being shutout is the longest streak.