#2 Grand Valley State claimed a 35-14 homecoming victory over Dixie State Saturday (Oct. 6) at Lubbers Stadium before a sellout crowd of 10,763. The Lakers will now host #3 Ferris State Oct. 13 at Lubbers Stadium. Tickets are available by online at GVSUlakers.com or by calling 616-331-3200.
The Lakers jumped out to an early 14-0 first quarter lead with an 8-play, 63-yard drive that resulted in a 31 yard touchdown pass from senior QB
Bart Williams to junior WR
Austin Paritee.
J.J. McGrath added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. The GVSU defense then got in on the scoring as senior DT Kwanii Figeuroa hauled in a tipped pass and returned it 47 yards for a TD. Midway through the second quarter redshirt freshman running back
Jack Provencher scored on a 3 yard run to end a 6-play, 80-yard drive. Williams hit Paritee with a 35 yard pass and catch to open the drive and junior RB Chawnez Moss added a 28 yard run to the Dixie State three yard line before Provencher's TD.
The Lakers closed the first half with a 6-play, 62-yard drive to pull out to a 28-0 lead. Williams hit Provencher with a 14 yard pass and then hit Paritee with back-to-back completions, the first covering 19 yards and the second 26 yards for a touchdown. McGrath added the PAT.
Williams drove the Lakers 78 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown midway through the third quarter as Williams hit Paritee for the third time, this TD pass covering one yard.
The starting Laker defense yielded no points and 173 yards of total offense through three quarters of action before taking the night off after three quarters of action.
Moss rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries, while Provencher added 35 yards and a TD on six carries. Williams completed 16-of-28 passes for 237 yards and three TDs. Paritee led the receiving unit with six catches for 121 yards and a career-high three TDs. Provencher caught six passes for 55 yards and
Nick Dodson added five catches for 70 yards.
Senior LB
Tyree Horton led the defense with six tackles, while seven players added four stops. GVSU recorded 10 tackles for loss, including a QB sack (-5) and two TFL (-10) by
Johnathon Williams.
