GVSU-FSU Gamenotes

Sixth-seeded Grand Valley State is set for an NCAA DII Second-Round Playoff game at second-seeded Ferris State saturday at 12 noon. The game will be televised live on Xfinity 900 and the internet at www.gvsulakers.com. In addition, you can listen live on the GVSU radio network, including flagship station ESPN 96.1. 

The Coaches
Grand Valley State • Matt Mitchell (Cornell College, 1997) • 55-18/.753 (6th) 
Ferris State • Tony Annese (Alma, 1983) • 37-8/.822 (4th)

The Series
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Ferris State by a 27-16-1 margin. The Lakers have won 14-of-the-last-19 meetings between the schools, but the Bulldogs have won four consecutive games. GVSU is 13-9 at Lubbers Stadium versus the Bulldogs and 14-7-1 at Top Taggart Field. 

• Grand Valley State is in its 45th season of football and sport a 369-136-3 all-time record. GVSU's .728 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 is making its 17th trip to the NCAA DII Playoffs, the third highest total among active DII schools. In addition, GVSU's 32 wins and .727 winning percentrage both rank second all-time in DII playoff history. GVSU is 32-11 all-time in the NCAA DII playoffs, including a 32-6 mark since 2001...GVSU is 5-2 in the NCAA playoffs under Mitchell and 4-1 since 2013...The Lakers have won four NCAA DII National Championships since 2002 and advanced to the NCAA title game six times since 2001...GVSU has 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
• GVSU claimed a 45-28 win over Ashland in an NCAA First-Round Playoff game. The Lakers scored 21 points in the second quarter and never looked back en route to the win. RB Kirk Spencer rushed for 105 yards and a TD, while catching four passes for 28 yards and a TD. RB Marty Carter rushed for 99 yards and two TDs, while Matt Williams hauled in five passes for 116 yards. Garrett Pougnet led the defense wit eight tackles, while Matt Judon had a record-setting afternoon with six tackles and 2.0 QB sacks. Judon became just the fifth player in college football history to reach the 20 sack mark for a single-season.
• 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    176-27
    - Regular season mark since last six games of 2000    146-20
    - Regular season mark since 2001    139-20
    - Home record since 2001    95-8
    - Road record since 2001    70-17
    - 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 219-of-377 passes for 3,355 yards and 37 TDs...Williams is averaging 279.6 yards passing per game and has a pass efficiency rating of 157.27...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 4th in the country in passing TDs with 37...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 10th nationally in passing yards (3,355)...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 9th nationally in yards per completion (15.32)...Broke the 300 yard passing mark six times in 2015, including four consecutive to end the regular season...Tossed three or more TDs in a game eight times, four or more four times and five once...3,355 passing yards is second all-time for a single-season, while his 37 passing TDs is third all-time for a single-season.
• 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.
• Completed 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.
• Completed 17-of-33 passes for 231 yards and two TDs at Ashland.

• Senior RB Kirk Spencer leads the squad with 1,071 rushing yards and 12 TDs on 204 carries...1,071 rushing yards is 10th on single-season list...Hauled 37 passes for 267 yards and returned 27 kickoffs for 674 yards (25.0 ypr)...Leads the GLIAC and ranks 9th nationally in all-purpose yards with 2,012 yards...2nd in career all-purpose yards for the Lakers with 5,092...Ranks 7th in career rushing yards with 2,845 yards...Broke the 100-yard rushing mark five times...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...Rushed for 105 yards and one TD, caught four passes for 28 yards and notched 214 all-purpose yards.

• Senior WR Jamie Potts has 39 catches for 774 yards and 12 TDs...Third in the GLIAC and 17th nationally in receiving TDs (12)....Averaging 40.3 yards per punt and has dropped 10 inside the opponent 10 yard line...moved into 3rd on the all-time receptions list with 164, while ranking second in receiving yards (2,905) 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 (55), receiving yards (963) and TD catches (13)...Ranks second in the GLIAC and 10th nationally TD catches...Leads the GLIAC in receiving yards (963)...Ranks second in the GLIAC and and ranks 8th nationally in punt return average (14.6 ypr)...Broke the 100-yard receiving mark five 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...Pulled down five receptons for 116 yards at Ashland.

• Freshman WR Nick Dodson has 27 receptions for 432 yards and five 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 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...Hauled in five receptions for 52 yards and a TD at Ashland.

• 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.

• RS Freshman RB Marty Carter has rushed for 548 yards and five TDs on 76 carries in  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...Toted the ball 14 times for 99 yards and two TDs at Ashland. 

• Senior DL Matt Judon leads the nation, regardless of division in QB sacks with 20.0 (-127)...Ranks second in the GLIAC in tackles for loss with 21.5 (-128)...20.0 QB sacks ranks second for a single-season in DII history and is the third-best total in college football history...34.5 career QB ranks first in GVSU annals and 49.5 TFL is sixth all-time...Judon has 181 career tackles...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...Notched six tackles, 2.0 QB sacks and 2.5 TFL vs. Ashland in the NCAA Playoffs.
• Junior DL DeOndre Hogan has 55 tackles, 9.0 TFL (-22), 3.5 QB sack (-16)...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....Notched four tackles and a TFL (-2) at Ashland.

• Junior LB David Talley leads the squad in total tackles with 105...Has 8.5 TFL (-27), three QB sack (-18), six QB hurries, an interception and a fumble reovery...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 186 career tackles and 17.5 TFL and 5.5 QB sacks.

• RS Freshman Devin McKissic has 39 tackles, three interceptions, seven 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...Picked off a pass and returned it 34 yards to set up a GVSU TD and notched two pass breakups at AU. 

• Sophomore LB Collin Schlosser ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 66 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 92...Has 4.5 TFL (-16), a QB sack, three 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 85, while also recording 7.5 TFL (-21), 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...Recorded eight tackles, a QB sack (-8) and a TFL (-8) at Ashland.

• Senior SS Brad Horling ranks seventh on the team in total tackles with 56...Tallied 3.0 TFL (-14) and one interception...Horling has 254 tackles, 20.5 TFL, seven pass deflections and four 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...Picked off a pass and recorded two tackles vs. Ashland.

• 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 52...Fourth on the squad with 8.0 TFL...Has 2.0 QB sacks, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery and six QB hurries...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...Notched four tackles vs. Ashland in NCAA playoffs.

• Junior PK Joel Schipper is 58-for-60 in PATs and 13-for-15 in field goals in 2015...Ranks second in the GLIAC and seventh in the nation in FG percentage (.867)...Third in the GLIAC in field goals per game (1.08)...Ranks 4th in GVSU annals in career points with 266...He has converted 167-of-172 PATs in his career...Schipper is 33-of-40 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...6-6 in PATS and 1-2 in field goals at Ashland in playoffs.

• GVSU ranks second the nation in QB sacks with 42 (-256) and 30th in tackles for loss with 93 (380).

• The Lakers ranks first in the GLIAC in turnovers gained (30) and second in turnover margin (+10)

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

• The Lakers are third in the GLIAC in scoring offense (39.6).

• 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 290 games. The Lakers were last shutout by Ferris State (23-0) in 1992. Valdosta State's 293 games without being shutout is the longest streak.