The #8 Grand Valley State football team ventured to Davenport University for the shortest road trip in program history, but the trip also proved to be one of the craziest days in Laker football history. GVSU pulled out a 19-14 comeback victory in the closing minutes of a game that featured two lightning delays, monsoon type rain, sleet, wind, sun and a rainbow. The Lakers improve to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in GLIAC action heading into the "Battle of the Valley's" next Saturday (Oct. 27). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the Grand Valley Sports Network will broadcast the game live on ESPN3. 

Post-game sound from @gvsufootball coach Matt Mitchell after a thrilling 19-14 win over Davenport Saturday: pic.twitter.com/rekRZ6BjcB

— GVSports Network (@GVSUSportsNet) October 20, 2018

The 12 noon kickoff turned into a 12:50 kickoff following a 50 minute lighting delay. The Lakers took the opening kickoff and drove 94 yards in 11 plays, but a lost fumble on second down cost GVSU a chance to take an early lead. GVSU did take a 3-0 lead with 1:37 left in the first quarter as J.J. McGrath put the finishing touches on a 5-play, 38-yard scoring drive with a 33 yard field goal. An uneventful second quarter in terms of scoring had a lightning delay with 1:29 remaining so halftime was part delay and all of halftime. Both teams came back onto the field and finished the 1:29 of the second quarter and then went directly to the third quarter kickoff.

Davenport was unable to mount anything offensively on its opening drive of the second half and the Laker offense was able to get going with an 8-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Senior QB Bart Williams hit junior WR Austin Paritee with a 23 yard completion and junior RB Chawntez Moss finished the drive with a 22 yard TD run. Following the TD McGrath converted the PAT for a 10-0 GVSU lead. The Laker defense recorded another three-and-out and a 23 yard punt by the Panthers gave GVSU possession of the ball on the 50 yard line. Following a 16 yard run by sophomore WR Brandon Wadley to the Panther eight yard line the drive stalled and McGrath booted his second field goal of the game, this one covering 25 yards to up the GVSU lead to 13-0.

Davenport scored late in the third quarter and turned a GVSU fumble into a second touchdown to take a 14-13 lead with 11:35 left in the game. Grand Valley State moved into Davenport territory midway through the fourth quarter, but a failed fourth down conversion gave the ball back to the Panthers. The Laker defense held on a critical drive and forced a punt that pinned GVSU on its 18 yard line with 2:53 left in the game. Three incomplete passes and a false start put the GVSU hopes on a fourth-and-15 play into a stiff wind, but backup QB Cole Kotopka delivered a perfect pass to WR Austin Paritee for a 24 yard completion and kept the hopes of Laker Nation alive. A pass interference penalty on the Panthers moved GVSU to the 47 yard line and Kotopka hooked up with WR Nick Dodson, this one a 13 yard out that he turned into a 53 yard touchdown with 1:36 left in the game. Nick eluded the defender and then knifed through two more Panther defensive backs to reach the endzone. 

Davenport managed to pick up two first downs, but the Laker defense batted down a hail Mary pass and GVSU escaped with the win. 

Moss rushed for 103 yards and one TD on 20 carries, while Williams completed 15-of-26 passes for 175 yards. Kotopka completed 3-of-9 passes for 81 yards and a TD. Paritee hauled in seven passes for 127 yards and Dodson added 81 receiving yards on five catches. Junior LB Isaiah Nkansah led the defense with 10 tackles, followed by fellow LB Brendan McMahon's nine stops.