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#9 Grand Valley State (8-1, 5-1) will host AFCA preseason #15 Ashland (5-3, 5-1) Saturday (Nov. 3) at Lubbers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Both teams are still in the running for a GLIAC title and an NCAA Division II Playoff bid. Ashland has dropped three games this season by a total of 18 points, all by seven points or less. 

The Series
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Ashland by a 17-5 margin, however, Ashland is 3-1 in its last four meetings versus the Lakers. Ashland won consecutive meetings in the series in 2014-15, but GVSU claimed a 45-28 victory in a 2015 first-round NCAA Playoff game. Ashland claimed a 34-31 victory over the Lakers a year ago in Ashland with a field goal on the final play of the game. Grand Valley State won 14 consecutive games (1993-2014) in the series prior to Ashland's 37-14 2014 win over GVSU in Allendale. That win marked the first for the Eagles since a 29-14 victory over the Lakers in 1993. 

Radio: ESPN 96.1 FM - Steve Lloyd-Jones (play-by-play) and Tim Nott (color)
Web/TV: ESPN3 - Tom Cleary (play-by-play) and Bob Mitchell (color)

RADIO AFFILIATES
ESPN-FM 96.1 Grand Rapids**
WMUS-FM 107.9 Muskegon**
WDFN-AM 1130 Detroit
WHTC-AM 1450 Holland
WHTC-FM 99.7 Holland
WKMI-AM 1360 Kalamazoo
WIMS-AM 1420 Michigan City, Ind.**
WIMS-FM 95.1 Michigan City, Ind.**
WBRN-AM 1460 Big Rapids
WBRN-FM 107.7 Big Rapids
WBRN-FM 95.1 Reed City
WHFB-AM 1060 Benton Harbor**
WHFB-FM 102.5 Benton Harbor**
WFNT-AM 1470 Flint
WTVB-AM 1590 Coldwater
WTVB-FM 95.5 Coldwater

The Coaches
Grand Valley State • Matt Mitchell (Cornell College, 1997) • 85-24 (9th) 
Saginaw Valley State • Lee Owens (Akron) • 113-55 (15th)

• Grand Valley State has won eight or more games in a season 29 times in the 48-year history of Laker football. A win over Ashland would give the Lakers a ninth victory for the 21st time in 48 years.

• Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country, boasting a record of 399-143-3 (.737) in 48 years of playing football. In addition, GVSU is also the winningest GLIAC program all-time with a 291-73-3 mark (.799). 

• GVSU has won four NCAA Division II Football National Championships, made 19 playoff appearances, won 17 league titles, captured nine NCAA regional titles, made nine trips to the NCAA DII semifinals and six to the NCAA DII title game. 

• Grand Valley State is the only GLIAC team to win at least 12 games three times since 2013 and make two NCAA DII Playoff semifinal appearances.
• The Lakers are well on their way to leading the NCAA DII ranks in attendence for the 7th consecutive year. After four home games GVSU has drawn 57,519 in total attendance for an average of 14,380. 

• GVSU head football coach Matt Mitchell is second in all-time wins at GVSU with 85. Current Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is first with 118 career wins. 

• The Lakers have gotten off to a quick start offensively, with a stingy defense in the first half. GVSU has outscored its opponents 161-48 (17.8-5.3) in the opening half, including a 64-3 advantage in the first quarter. 
• Grand Valley State has tallied 84 plays of 20 yards or more this season, including 54 via the pass and 17 rushing. Austin Paritee (21), Nick Dodson (18) and Brandon Wadley (17) lead the way on the 20-plus yard plays. 

• The Lakers rank 13th in scoring defense (16.6 ppg) and 37th in scoring offense (34.6 ppg). 

• Grand Valley State ranks 25th in total offense (450.2) and 26th in total defense (303.2). 

• The Lakers rank 63rd in rushing offense (163.1) and 43rd in rushing defense (130.2). GVSU ranks 20th in passing offense (287.1) and Pass Effic. Defense (111.71).    

• Grand Valley State ranks 18th nationally in third down conversion defense (38-for-131/29.0) and 46th in third down conversion offense (48-118/401.0).

• The Lakers have converted 37-of-42 (84.0) redzone opportunities, including 30-of-44 (68.0) that have resulted in touchdowns. 

• The GVSU defense has 76 tackles for loss (-273) and 20 QB sacks (-121). Twenty-five different Lakers have recorded a TFL and 11 have a QB  sack.

• QB Bart Williams continued to rewrite the Lakers' passing record list. Williams' 487 passing yards vs. Ferris State broke the previous single-game record of 434 yards held by Curt Anes (2001/Michigan Tech) and was the fifth-best, single-game total in GLIAC history. Williams is the all-time leader in career passing yards (11,920) and passing TDs (123) for Grand Valley State. He needs two TD passes to move into fourth in all-time passing TDs (125). In addition, Williams is fourth in all-time GLIAC passing yards (8,432) and second in passing TDs (87). Former Laker great Curt Anes is next on the list for passing yards (8,600), while also being the all-time leader in passing TDs (91). Williams, who is 39-8 as a starting QB for the Lakers, is a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy for Academic and Athletic Excellence. 

• Grand Valley State senior quarterback Bart Williams was named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week back-to-back weeks following his performances vs. Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan. Williams completed 23-of-37 passes for 382 yards and five TDs as GVSU claimed a 45-20 win over the Huskies. Just one week earlier in the Lakers' 47-14 victory at Northern Michigan, Williams completed 17-of-28 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns, while toting the ball three times for 16 yards and his first career rushing TD, a six yard scamper.

Triple Threat At WR - The WR unit consisting of Nick Dodson (48-802-8), Austin Paritee (44-851-8) and Brandon Wadley (17-469-0) have combined for 109 catches for 2,122 yards and 16 TDs. 

• Senior WR Nick Dodson has caught 45 passes for 772 yards and eight TDs in the Lakers' last seven games. 
7 - 67 vs. Saginaw Valley State
5 - 81 - 1TD vs. Davenport
10 - 200 - 1 TD vs. Ferris State
5 - 70 vs. Dixie State
5 - 137 - 2 TD at Northwood
5 - 88 - 2 TD vs. Michigan Tech
8 - 129 - 2 TD at Northern Michigan
Dodson, who has six career 100-yard receiving games, is 4th in all-time receptions with 156. In addition, Dodson now has 2,360 receiving yards. 

• Junior RB Chawntez Moss has rushed for 794 yards and six TDs on 142 carries this season. Moss is averaging 88.2 yards rushing per game. 

• Freshman RB Jack Provencher has 444 rushing yards and six TDs, while catching 27 passes for 235 yards and three TDs. His 688 all-purpose yards is fifth on the squad.

• Senior DE Dylan Carroll has 157 career tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 QB sacks. 

• Senior safety Jacob Studdard has 131 career tackles and three interceptions.

• Junior safety Jailyn Harden has 119 career tackles, 

• Senior kicker J.J. McGrath has 28 touchbacks in 58 kickoffs this season and is averaging 61.5 yards per kick. 

• Senior punter Collin Cribley has punted 41 times for a 39.8 yards per punt average, including six of plus 50 yards and eight inside the 20. Cribley set a GVSU single-game record for punting yards (12-541) at Delta State.

• The Grand Valley State pass defense limited its first five opponents to 642 passing yards (109 yards-Indianapolis; 110-Delta State; 103- Northern Michigan; 214-Michigan Tech; Northwood 106). 

• GVSU tallied 18 tackles for loss, five QB sacks (-32), forced 10 punts and allowed just one touchdown at Delta State. 

Bart Williams (Sr, QB)
    2018: Completed 125-for-238 passes for 2,066 yards and 18 TDs.
    • Completed 18-of-36 passes for 243 yards and two TDs vs. Indianapolis.
    • Completed 8-of-26 passes for 133 yards and two TDs at Delta State.
    • Completed 17-of-28 passes for 280 yards and four TDs at NMU. Rushed for first career TD...Named GLIAC Offensive POW for first time in career. 
    • Completed 23-of-37 passes for 382 yards and five TDs vs. MTU...Named GLIAC Offensive POW.
    • Completed 5-of-7 passes for 129 yards and one TD in one quarter of action at Northwood.
    • Competed 16-of-28 passes for 237 yards and three TDs vs. Dixie State.
    • Completed 23-of-50 passes for 487 yards and two TDs vs. Ferris State...Averaged 21.1 yards per pass completion.
    • Completed 15-of-26 passes for 175 yards at Davenport.
    • DNP at Saginaw Valley State.
    Career: Tallied a 39-8 record as a starting QB...Completed 767-of-1,328 passes for 11,920 yards and 123 TDs...First in NCAA DII active TD passes (123) and passing yards (11,920)...Second in total offense (11,810)...Ranks 5th in pass efficiency rating (15.69).
    Set a GVSU single-game record with 15 consecutive completions to start a game. Williams was 15-for-15 for 290 yards and three TDs in the first half at Truman State (2017).

GLIAC RANKINGS - 
GLIAC Passing yards -    
Bart Williams                      4th - 8,432
Curt Anes (GV)                  3rd - 8,600 /168
Jonathon Jennings (SV)    2nd - 9,564
Antonio Pipkin (Tiffin)         1st - 9,673    
Bart Williams - 87 career TD passes in GLIAC Games. Curt Anes is first with 91.

NCAA All-time D2 Touchdown Passes
123 (5) - Bart Williams (GVSU);
    Dustin Vaughan (WTAM); 
    Zach Zulli (Shippensburg)
124  (4) - Kevin Rodgers (Henderson St.)
126 (3) - Zach Amedro (West Liberty); 
    Matt Soltes (East Stroudsburg)
134 (2) - Justin Dvorak (Colorado Mines)
148 (1) - Jimmy Terwilliger 
        (East Stroudsburg)

NCAA Most Consecutive Games Throwing a TD Pass Career
46 - Bart Williams (2015-18)
46 - Mike Reilly, Cent. Washington, (2005-08)

NCAA Most Games Throwing a TD Pass Career
46 - Bart Williams (2015-18)
47 - Jimmy Terwilliger (2003-06)

NCAA Most Games With Three or More TD passes Career 
25 - Bart Williams (2015-18)
30 - Jimmy Terwilliger, E. Stroudsburg (2003-06)

NCAA All-time D2 career passing yards 
11 - 12,544, Matt Soltes, E. Stroudsburg
12 - 12,448, Mike Reilly, Cent. Wash.
13 - 12,109, Mitchel Gale, Abilene Christ.
14 - 12,012, Billy Malone, Abilene Christ.
15 - 12,007, Jack Nelson, Winona St.
16 - 11,920, Bart Williams, GVSU

Nick Dodson (Sr, WR)
    2018: Hauled in 48 passes for 802 yards and eight TDs...Tied for a team-high in long plays with 18 (20+ or more)...Leads the team with 923 all-purpose yards...Returned punt 83 yards for a TD at Saginaw Valley State.
    • Hauled in three passes for 30 yards vs. Indianapolis. 
    • Caught eight passes for 129 yards and two TDs vs. NMU. 
    • Tallied five catches for 88 yards and two TDs vs. MTU.
    • Hauled in five passes for 137 yards and two TDs at Northwood.
    • Caught five passes for 70 yards vs. Dixie State.
    • Caught 10 passes for a career-high 200 yards and one TD vs. Ferris State.
    • Hauled in five passes for 81 yards, including the game-winning 53 yard TD at Davenport.
    • Recorded seven catches for 67 yards...83 yard punt return for a TD at Saginaw Valley State was the third longest in school history.    
    Career: Tallied 156 catches for 2,360 yards and 30 TDs...Dodson, who has six career 100-yard receiving games, moved into 4th in all-time receptions with 156. Led team with 58 catches for 864 yards and 13 TDs in 2016.

Austin Paritee (Jr. WR)
    2018: Leads the squad in receiving yards (851) and TD catches...Second on the team with 44 catches...Leads the team in plays of 20 yards or more with 21...Broke the 100-yard receiving mark four times.  
    • Recorded a career-high in receptions (8), yards (134) and TD catches (2) vs. Indianapolis.    
• Caught four passes for 62 yards and two TDs at Delta State.
    • Caught five passes for 87 yards vs. MTU.
    • Hauled in four catches for 89 yards and one TD at Northwood.
    • Caught six passes for 121 yards and a career-high three TDs vs. Dixie State.
    • Tallied four receptions for 105 yards vs. Ferris State.
    • Hauled in seven passes for 127 yards at Davenport.
    • Caught five passes for 96 yards at Saginaw Valley State...Pulled in a key 40 yard reception in fourth quarter.
    Career: Hauled in 59 receptions for 1,193 yards and 10 TDs.

Brandon Wadley (So. WR)
    2018: Caught 17 passes for 469 yards...Averaging 27.6 yards per catch.
    • Hauled in three passes for 80 yards at NMU.
    • Caught three passes for 53 yards vs. MTU.
    • Pulled down one catch for 43 yds. at Northwood. 
    • Tallied career-highs in catches (5) and receiving yards (166) vs. Ferris St. 
        Career: Hauled in 23 passes for 548 yards (23.8 ypg) and rushed 14 times for 68 yards.

Chawntez Moss (Jr, RB)
    2018: Leads the team with 794 yards and eight TDs on 142 carries...Averaging 88.2 rushing yards per game...Broke the 100 yard rushing mark three times.
    • Rushed for 135 yards and two TDs on 15 carries vs. Indianapolis.
    • Toted the ball 23 times for 92 yards and one TD at Delta State. 
    • Tallied 130 rushing yards on 20 carries at Northern Michigan.
    • Rushed for 95 yards on 16 carries vs. Michigan Tech.
    • Toted the ball seven times for 57 yards and two TDs at Northwood.
    • Rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries vs. Dixie State.
    • Recorded 37 rushing yards and three TDs on 14 carries vs. Ferris State.
    • Rushed for 103 yards and one TD on 20 carries at Davenport. 
    • Tallied 53 yards on 14 carries at SV.  

Jack Provencher (RFr, RB)
    2018: Rushed 89 times for 444 yards and six TDs...Hauled in 27 passes for 235 yards and three TDs...Recorded 688 all-purpose yards (76.4 pg).
     • Rushed 12 times for 53 yards and a TD and caught five passes for 49 yards vs. Indianapolis...110 all-purpose yards.
    •Toted the ball 19 times for 89 yards at Delta State.
    • Caught five passes for 39 yarsds and a TD, while rushing seven times for 39 yards and a TD at NMU.
    • Rushed for 68 yards and one TD on 13 carries and caught five passes for 52 yards and two TDs vs. MTU. 
    • Toted the ball six times for 35 yards and a TD, while catching five passes for 55 yards vs. Dixie State.
    • Recorded first 100-yard rushing game (106) on 14 carries and a TD.

Dylan Carroll (Sr., DE)
    2018: Ranks fourth on the squad with 40 total tackles, 5.5 TFL (-16),  1.0 QB sack (-8) and six QB hurries.
    • Tallied a single-game, career-high 13 total tackles and 3.0 TFL en route to being named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week at Delta State.
    • Notched seven tackles at NMU.
    • Recorded seven tackles and a TFL at Northwood.
    • Tallied two tackles and a TFL vs. Dixie State.
    • Recorded four tackles and a TFL (-1) at SVSU.     
    Career: Played in 48 career games...Tallied 157 tackles, 31.5 TFL and 14.5 QB sacks.

Mike Pettis (Jr, DE)
    2018: Tallied 38 total tackles, including 8.5 TFL (-55) and 4.5 QB sack (-41).
    • Notched six tackles, 1.5 TFL (-16) and 1.0 QB sack (-14) at Delta State.
    • Recorded four tackles and 1.0 TFL (-2) vs. Indianapolis.
     • Tallied four tackles, 1.5 TFL (-13) and 1.5 QB sacks (-13) at NMU. 
    • Notched two tackles and a TFL at Northwood.
    • Recorded two tackles and a TFL vs. Dixie State.
    • Tallied eight tackles and 1.5 TFL and QB sacks (-9).
    • Notched five tackles, 1.5 TFL (-12), forced a fumble and recovered a fumble at Davenport.
    • Tallied six tackles and a TFL (-1) at Saginaw Valley State. 
    Career: Recorded 83 tackles and 17.0 TFL and 8.0 QB sacks.

Isaiah Nkansah (Jr, LB)
    2018: Ranks second in total tackles with 48...Recorded 7.0 TFL (-25) and four pass break ups. 
    • Recorded a single-game, career-high 11 tackles at Delta State, including 1.5 TFL (-2). 
    •Tallied seven tackles vs. Indianapolis in opener.
    • Notched four stops at NMU.
    • Recorded three tackles, including 2.0 TFL (-8) vs. MTU.
    • Tallied two tackles and a TFL at Northwood. 
    • Notched three tackles and TFL vs. Dixie State.
    • Recorded eight tackles, 1.5 QB sacks and 1.5 TFL vs. Ferris State. 
    • Tallied a team-high 10 tackles, including a TFL (-6) at Davenport. 
    Career: Recorded 102 total tackles, including 9.0 TFL and six PBU.

Tyler Bradfield (So., LB)
    2018: Leads the team in total tackles with 61...Ranks sixth in GLIAC...Tallied 4.0 TFL (-5) and three pass break ups. 
    • Tallied seven stops and 2.0 TFL (-2) at Delta State.
    • Recorded seven tackles and 1.5 TFL vs. Indianapolis.
    • Notched four tackles at NMU.
    • Recorded eight tackles vs. MTU.
    • Tallied five tackles at Northwood.
    • Notched two tackles vs. Dixie State.
    • Recorded six tackles vs. Ferris State.
    • Tallied six tackles vs. Davenport.
    • Recorded a career-high 15 tackles at Saginaw Valley State.  
    Career: Notched 106 tackles, 9.0 TFL (-27), 2.0 QB sacks...Picked off one pass.

Tyree Horton (Sr, LB)
    2018: Tallied 51 tackles and 6.5 TFL (-21) and a QB sack (-1)
    • Recorded seven tackles and a 1.5 TFL (-4) at Delta State.
    • Notched four stops and a TFL at Northern Michigan.
    •  Tallied three stops vs. MTU. 
    •  Recorded five tackles a TFL and a pass breakup at Northwood.
    • Notched six stops and TFL vs. Dixie State.
    • Tallied seven tackles, a TFL (-9), forced a fumble and recovered a fumble vs. Ferris State.
    • Recorded six tackles and a TFL at Davenport.
    • Notched a season-high 10 tackles, including 2.0 TFL (-3) at SVSU. 
    
Jailyn Harden (Jr, SS)
    2018: Ranks fourth in total tackles with 48...Picked off one pass.
    • Recorded six stops vs. UIndy.
    • Tallied nine tackles at Delta State
    • Notched three tackles at NMU.
    • Tallied six stops and TFL vs. MTU.
    • Recorded two stops at Northwood.
    • Notched four tackles vs. Dixie State.
    • Tallied five tackles and recovered a fumble at Davenport.
    • Recorded a six tackles, a TFL (-1) and a pass breakup at SVSU.  
    Career: Notched 119 total tackles and four PBU.

Brendan McMahon (Sr, LB)
    2018: Second on the team in total tackles with 55...Tallied 6.0 tackles for loss (-16) and two QB sacks (-6).
    • Notched six tackles and a TFL at Delta State.
    • Tallied five stops vs. UIndy.
    • Recorded five stops at NMU.
    • Tallied four tackles and a TFL (-3) vs. Dixie State.
    • Recorded eight tackles and two TFL (-8) vs. Ferris State.
    • Notched nine tackles at Davenport.
    • Tallied a career-high 12 tackles and a TFL (-2) at Saginaw Valley State.
    Career: Recorded 87 total tackles, 8.0 TFL and two QB sack (-6). 

Jacob Studdard (Sr, SS/CB)
        2018: Recorded 29 total tackles...Two interceptions.
        • Notched three tackles and picked off a pass vs. Indianapolis.
        • Tallied three stops at Delta State.
        • Recorded five tackles at Northwood.
        • Notched a season-high six tackles and three pass breakups. 
        Career: Tallied 131 tackles, picked off three passes, recovered three fumbles and has three pass deflections. 

Jake Hlava (Jr., DL) 
        2018: Tallied 22 total tackles, 3.5 TFL (-13) and 1.5 QB sacks (-7).

James McBride (Jr., DL)
        2018: Recorded 30 tackles, 5.0 TFL (-10) and 1.0 QB sacks (-1)...Three QB hurries.

Johnathon Williams (Jr., DL)
        2018: Notched 16 total tackles, 4.5 TFL (-25) and 3.5 QB sacks (-20).

Kwanii Figeuroa (Sr., DL)
        2018: Tallied 12 tackles, returned an interception 47 yards for a TD and blocked two kicks. 

Jacob Howe (Sr., DL)
        2018: 12 total tackles, 3.5 TFL (-22), 2.0 QB sacks (-16)...Four QB hurries.
        Career: 34 total tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 QB sacks.

• Grand Valley State will again face the toughest schedule in Division II football, evidenced by the 2018 ledger having four teams that advanced to the 2017 NCAA DII Playoffs. GVSU opened the season at home versus 2017 GLVC Champion and playoff participant Indianapolis, followed by a road tilt at DII power Delta State.. The Lakers will also host Ferris State (Oct. 13) and Ashland (Nov. 3) at Lubbers Stadium. 

• GVSU just finished a stretch of playing three road games in the first five weeks. The Lakers played in Cleveland, Mississippi (1,464 miles round trip) versus Delta State, followed by a road for a trip to Marquette, Michigan (828 miles round trip) to take on Northern Michigan. The Lakers traveled 2,392 miles between the back-to-back road games. GVSU played at Northwood last Saturday (Sept. 29) to complete the road swing.