GVSU-SBU Gamenotes

The 2015 season-opener for Grand Valley State will feature a new opponent in Southwest Baptist University tonight at Lubbers Stadium. The Lakers will entertain this Great Lakes Valley Conference opponent out of Bolivar, Missouri that turned in a record of 4-7 in 2014. First-year head coach Robert Clardy took over in June and returns the majority of the offensive unit, including preseason all-america receiver Nathan Bourik. The Bearcat defense returns seven starters and key reserves that saw action in 2014. Sixth-year head coach Matt Mitchell returns 47 letterwinners, including 22 players that have started at some point in their career, for the 2015 campaign. 
     A year ago the Lakers returned over 9,000 passing yards and 100 touchdown passes between the two quarterbacks (Heath Parling/Isiah Grimes). The 2015 returning cast has completed 1-of-2 passes for nine yards and a TD in a Laker uniform. Sophomore Bart Williams will get his first career start tonight after seeing action in three games a year ago. Junior Ryan West played in 13 games for Southern Illinois the last two years with six starts. West completed 127-of-231 passes for 1,274 yards and 13 TDs for the Salukis. 
     The crew at running back brings speed, power and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Seniors Kirk Spencer and Ben Hutchins bring speed  and power, while junior Terrell Dorsey brings a little bit of both. Spencer, who battled injuries a year ago, enters his senior year with 1,774 career rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs. An all-purpose threat, Spencer also has 27 receptions for 344  yards and 3,080 all-purpose yards in 28 career games. Dorsey burst onto the scene in 2014 with 359 rushing yards in the last four games. Hutchins, who sat out the 2014 campaign with an injury,  has rushed for 588 yards and eight TDs on just 96 carries. Two redshirt freshmen, Martayveous Carter and Jalen Bryant, will push for playing time and have versatility.
     The receiving unit is short on receptions, but not talent. Senior Justice Wright missed the 2014 season with an injury, but is a leader among receivers. Junior Joe Robbins hauled in 17 catches for 170 yards and one TD, while fellow junior, Matt Williams, pulled down 12 catches for 181 yards and three TDs a year ago. Sophomore Brandon Bean is a big body receiver that caught six passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns last season. Junior Troy Sassack and sophomore Urston Smith are ready to contribute, while a pair of true freshmen, Nick Dodson and Christian Lumpkin, could crack the lineup on opening night.
     The Lakers have a number of options at tight end. Four big bodies that are adept at run blocking or pass catching. Sophomore Brian Moran caught three passes for 44 yards and a TD, while Jeremy Byers pulled down two passes for 14 yards and Joey Warner tallied two catches for eight yards and two TDs. Sophomore Nick Keizer turned in a solid spring and will join the mix.
     The offensive line returns a nice blend of experience and youth. Three players have started a significant number games for the Lakers up front, with seven additional players pushing for playing time. Senior left guard Jim Walsh is an all-america candidate and will team with senior Brandon Revenberg to form one of best combinations in DII football. Junior Aaron Cox turned in a solid second half of the year and will be expected to be an anchor at center. A group of seven  sophomores a two redshirt freshmen will push for playing time. Dan DeLuca, Cameron Hobbs, Anthony Jazvac, Josh Dentler, Scott Koenigsknecht, Evan Schriner Ryan Egan, Colin Beebe and Ben Walling will all see action.
     The strength of the Laker defense will be at the point of attack on the defensive line. GVSU returns three players that could garner post-season honors in senior Matt Judon and juniors DeOndre Hogan and Alton Voss. Judon earned all-region honors in 2014 after recording 72 tackles, 19.0 TFL and 8.5 QB sacks, while Hogan, who missed the 2014 season with an injury, earned all-region honors in 2013. Voss turned in a significant contribution in the final five games a year ago and was impressive in the spring. Cody Moore saw action as a backup and played well in the spring, while Christian Harris will push for playing time. A sophomore, Keane Belcher, and two redshirt freshmen, Tyler Cuckovich and Dylan Carroll will push for significant playing time, while Sonny Haskins and Mark Rosenquist will see action in the middle. 
     Three of the top six tacklers in 2014 resided in the linebacking unit and all three return, along with three additional linebackers that will make a strong push for playing time on defense and on special teams. A trio of juniors lead the way among returning tacklers. David Talley recorded 55 tackles and seven tackles for loss, while Joe Moran added 45 stops and Marquez Gollman chipped in 40.  Sophomores Collin Schlosser (18 tackles) and Jeff Madison will make a push for significant playing time, while redshirt freshman Rahju Blackmon moved into position to get on the field with outstanding spring practices. 
     A youthful defensive secondary gained valuable experience a year ago and competition for playing time will be a key for the 2015 campaign. Brad Horling is the only senior among this position group, meaning depth should not be a problem. Horling tallied 54 tackles as a junior and enters his senior year with 198 career stops. Junior Donte Carey recorded 34 tackles in 2015, while sophomores Kyle Short (26) and Garrett Pougnet (22) made great strides in the spring. Sophomore Tre Walton played in all 11 games at cornerback with three starts and will battle Khalil Hill, Devin McKissic and Jacob Studdard for playing time. In addition, juniors Nate Cole and Brandon Delk have experience and will be in the mix. 
     Heading into the 2015 season the only kicking position that has been solidified has been the place kicking duties held by junior Joel Schipper. Schipper is 109-for-112 in PATs and 20-for-25 in field goals his first two years on the job. Spencer Hurst, Collin Cribley, Jonathan Schultze, Dan Madden and Bryce Lovelace have battled for the right to handle the punting duties.    


The Coaches
Grand Valley State • Matt Mitchell (Cornell College, 1997) • 45-16/.737 (6th) 
Southwest Baptist • Robert Clardy (Southwest Baptist) • 0-0/.000 (1st) 

The Series
This will be the first-ever meeting between Grand Valley State and Southwest Baptist.
GVSU is 5-7 all-time versus schools from Missouri, including a 1-1 record in 2013. The Lakers claimed a 31-15 win over Truman State, but dropped a 27-13 decision at Northwest Missouri State in the NCAA DII Semifinals. 

• Grand Valley State is 27-17 in season-opening games...The Lakers are 14-6 when opening the season at home, 12-10 when opening the season on the road and 1-1 at a neutral site.

• Grand Valley State is in its 45th season of football and sport a 359-134-3 all-time record. GVSU's .730 winning percentage tops all Division II schools and is third all-time in all divisions behind Notre Dame (.733) and Michigan (.731).