GV-NU Gamenotes
Audio
Video
Live Stats


The Game 
#10 Grand Valley State (2-0) at Northwood (0-2)

Date 
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019

Time 
1:00 p.m. 

Site 
Hantz Stadium

.@CoachMitchGVSU talks about the preparation for Saturday's GLIAC opener at Northwood. Kickoff at 1 and you can listen live on @espn961 beginning at 12. #AnchorUp pic.twitter.com/iuwiH4PzY4

— GVSU Football (@gvsufootball) September 19, 2019

The Series
GVSU leads the all-time series with Northwood by a 29-8-1 margin. The Lakers have outscored the Timberwolves 101-7 the last two meetings, with the only Northwood score being a Hail Mary at the end of the first half last year. GVSU has won 10 consecutive games in the series and 23-of-the-last-26. Northwood's last win came in 2004 (35-14) in Allendale.

• Laker Football has a storied 48-year history of excellence. 
  - 4 National Championships
  - 6 Championship Game Appearances
  - 9 NCAA Regional Championships 
  - 20 Playoff Appearances
  - 17 conference championships

• GVSU is the winningest team in Division II football history with a record of 403-147-3 (.731).

• Grand Valley State is 32-14 all-time in GLIAC openers and 14-6 in GLIAC openers on the road. 

• Grand Valley State is 28-20 in road openers, including a 15-4 mark since 2001. Head coach Matt Mitchell is 5-4 in road openers

RANKINGS
• Grand Valley State is ranked #9 this week by D2Football.com and #10 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll. 

NATIONS LEADING WINNING %
• Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country, boasting a record of 403-147-3 (.731) in 48 years of playing football. In addition, GVSU is also the winningest GLIAC program all-time with a 293-73-3 mark (.798). 

10 WIN SEASONS
• Grand Valley State has won 10 or more games 17 times in the 48-year history of the program, including 15 times since 2001.

WINNING WAYS
• Grand Valley State is the only GLIAC program to win at least 12 games three times since 2013 and make two NCAA DII semifinal appearances.

The Coaches
Grand Valley State • Matt Mitchell (Cornell College, 1997) • 89-25 (10th) 
Northwood • Leonard Haynes • 18-28 (5th)

• Since 1985 (34 seasons), the Lakers have had 33 winning seasons and one (1999) in which they finished .500 (5-5). GVSU has tallied 42 winning seasons in 48 years of playing football. 

NCAA ATTENDANCE LEADERS
• Grand Valley State currently leads the nation in total attendance (25,232) and average attendance (12,616) after two home dates  The Lakers led the nation in attendance for the seventh consecutive year in 2018. Lubbers Stadium drew 77,725 fans in seven home dates for an average of 11,104. 

GLIAC DEFENSIVE POW
Grand Valley State senior linebacker Isaiah Nkansah was named the D2Football.com National and GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Lakers' 28-24 win over Delta State. Nkansah recorded a career-high and the third-best, single-game total tackles mark in GVSU football history with 20 stops (6 solo/14 assisted), while adding two tackles for loss (-10) and two QB sacks (-10). Nkansah played a key role in the Lakers' defense holding Delta State to three consecutive field goal attempts (2 missed/1 blocked) and a fourth quarter goal line stand from the 1-yard line that netted -3 yards.  His two QB sacks came at crucial times, the second on a third down when DSU needed a first down to keep a drive alive late in the fourth quarter. Nkansah, who leads the GLIAC in tackles (25) in 2019, has recorded 165 career stops and 13.5 tackles for loss.

GLIAC OFFENSIVE POW
Grand Valley State sophomore running back Aryuan Cain-Veasey was named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the Lakers' 35-10 win over Edinboro. Cain-Veasey, who rushed for a career-high 200 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries, scored on runs of 48, 94 and 29 yards. In addition, he averaged 18.2 yards per carry and his 94 yard TD run was the third longest in program history, while also becoming the 22nd player to reach the 200-yard rushing mark in a single-game. In 2018, Cain-Veasey rushed for 210 yards and one TD on 30 carries. 

NCAA TEAM RANKINGS
3rd Down Def. - 7 (.212)
First Downs Defense - 9 (23)
Passing Yds Allowed - 7 (110)
Passing Yds Per Comp. - 10 (18.9)
Red Zone Defense - 8 (.500)
Sacks Allowed - 38 (2)
Team Sacks - 15 (3.5)
Defensive Passing Effic. - 5 (75.86)
Total Defense - 11 (231.5 ypg)
Total Offense - 32 (453.0 ypg)

NCAA INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Cole Kotopka
Passing Yds. Per Comp. - 17.1

Dan Madden
Yards Per Punt. - 41.5

Aryuan Cain-Veasey
Yards Per Carry - 3 (11.0 ypc)
Rushing TDs - 11 (3)
Rushing Yards - 14 (231)
Rushing Yards Per Game - 15 (115.5)

Isaiah Nkansah
Sacks - 24 (4.0)
Total Tackles - 11 (25)

STAT OF THE WEEK
• The Grand Valley State defense has not allowed a point following a turnover or following a Laker kickoff (0 for 14). Opponents have punted seven times, missed three field goals, turned the ball over on downs three times and thrown one interceptions. 

Edinboro
Kickoff - Punt (3 plays -6 yds)
Interception - Downs (4 plays -1 yd)
Kickoff - Punt (7 plays 27 yds)
Fumble - Punt (3 plays 0 yds)
Kickoff - Punt (3 plays 6 yds)
Kickoff - Punt (3 plays 5 yds)
Kickoff - Punt (8 plays 22 yds)

Delta State
Kickoff - Punt (3 plays -6 yds)
Interception - Missed FG (6 plays 13 yds)
Interception - Missed FG (6 plays 31 yds)
Kickoff - Missed FG (10 plays 49 yds)
Kickoff - Downs (16 plays 79 yds)
Kickoff - Interception (3 plays -4 yds)
Kickoff - Downs (6 plays 7 yds) 

BIG PLAY OFFENSE
The GVSU offense has nine offensive plays of 20 yards or more, five of which have gone for touchdowns. In addition, the Lakers have six plays of 45 yards or more.  

Plays of 45 yards or more - 
94 yard Run - TD Cain-Veasey vs. Edinboro
75 yard Pass - TD Paritee from Peterson vs. Delta State
74 yard Pass - TD Anderson from Kotopka vs. Delta State
59 yard Pass - Young-Walls from Kotopka vs. Edinboro
48 yard Run - TD Cain-Veasey vs. Edinboro
45 yard Pass - Anderson from Kotopka vs. Delta State

• RS Freshman Daevon Anderson caught two passes (45 and 74 TD) for 119 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiae game for the Lakers. 

• GVSU is averaging 18.9 yards per completion.

• The Laker defense is yielding 231.5 yards per game and has yielded just 20 points in two games this season.

• GVSU's 319 rushing yards vs. Edinboro marked the first time since a 345 yard effort vs. Lake Erie in 2016.

• Ayuan Cain-Veasey (11-200, 3 TD) was the first Laker running back to reach to the 200-yard rushing mark since Marty Carter went for 218 yards on 11 carries at Wayne State in 2017

• The Lakers 572 yards of total offense was the most since a 572 yard outing vs. Tiffin in 2014. 

• GVSU held Edinboro without an offensive TD, the first time since a 28-3 win vs. Northern Michigan in 2017 the Lakers accomplished that feat. 

• Edinboro's 120 yards of total offense was the lowest total for an opponent since Truman State managed 127 yards vs. the Lakers in 2016. 
• The Laker defense held Edinboro to 13 rushing yards, the fewest yards for an opponent since holding Truman State to 27 yards in 2016. 

QB Cole Kotopka (6-6, 235, Jr., Plainfield, Ill.) 
2019 - 24-for-42 410 yards and 3 TDs...13  carries 18 yards.
Edinboro - 18-for-28 253 yards and 2 TDs...10  carries 38 yards.
Delta St. - 6-for-13 157 yards and 1 TD...Left in 2nd Qrt. injury.
Career - 72-132 passes for 1,058 yards and 7 TDs...Rushed for 169 yards and 3 TDs...3-0 as a starter.

RB Bryce Young-Walls (5-8, 195, Jr., Ann Arbor, Mich.)  
2019 - 17 carries for 74 yards...2 receptions for 69 yards...143 all-purpose yards.
Edinboro - 8 carries for 23 yards...1 reception for 59 yards.
Delta St. - 9 carries 51 yards...1 catch for 10 yards.
Career - Rushed for 787 yards and 9 TDs on 122 carries...6.5 ypc average.
6 receptions for 83 yards.

RB Jack Provencher (5-11, 212, So., Shelby Twp., Mich.)   
2019 - 5 carries for 20 yards...2 receptions for 5 yards vs. Edinboro.
Edinboro - 5 carries for 20 yards...2 receptions for 5 yards.
Delta St. - No stats.
Career - Rushed for 642 yards and 9 TDs, while catching 41 passes for 319 yards and 3 TDs.
    
RB Aryuan Cain-Veasey (5-10, 225, So., Michigan City, Ind.)  
2019 - 21 carries for 231 yards and 3 TDs.
Edinboro - 11 carries for 200 yards and 3 TDs...TD runs covered 48, 94 and 29 yards..94 yard TD run was the 3rd longest in GVSU history...22nd player to rush for 200 yards or more in a single game...GLIAC POW.
Delta St. - 10 carries for 31 yards.
Career -  441 yards and 4 TD on 51 carries...Averaging 8.6 ypc.
    
WR Austin Paritee (6-1, 185, Sr., Birmingham, Mich.) 
2019 - 8 receptions for 130 yards and 2 TD...Returned 4 punts 5 yards.
Edinboro - 5 receptions for 48 yards and 1 TD...Returned 3 punts 7 yards.
Delta St. - 3 catches for 82 yards and a 74 yd TD.
Career - 76 catches for 1,434 yds and 13 TDs.

WR Jacob Miller (6-1, 190, So., Defiance, Ohio)
2019 - 5 receptions for 82 yards...4 KO returns for 97 yards...179 all-purpose yards.
Edinboro - 3 receptions for 53 yards...Long reception of 26 yards...3 KO returns for 58 yards...111 all-purpose yards.
Delta St. - 2 catches for 29 yards...1 KO return for 39 yards.
Career - 5 receptions for 82 yards...4 KO returns for 97 yards...179 all-purpose yards.
    
WR Charles Gaines (6-3, 210, Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio)
2019 - 3 reception for 35 yards.
Edinboro - 3 reception for 35 yards.
Delta St. - No stats.
Career - 3 reception for 35 yards.

WR Luke DeLong (5-11, 195, Jr., Midland, Mich.)
2019 - 2 catches for 27 yards.
Edinboro - 2 catches for 27 yards.
Delta St. - No stats.
Career - 2 catches for 27 yards.

TE Grant Dempster (6-3, 250, Jr., Lafayette, Ind.) 
2019 - Recovered fumble for a TD
Edinboro - No stats.
Delta St. - Recovered fumble in the endzone for a TD.
Career - 3 catches for 55 yards and a TD.

TE Jayk Slager (6-4, 260, So., Zeeland, Mich.)    
2019 - 3 catches for 44 yards and 1 TD.
Edinboro - 2 receptions for 26 yards and 1 TD.
Delta St. - 1 catch for 18 yards.
Career - 3 receptions for 44 yards and 1 TD.

DE Johnny Williams (6-5, 270., Sr., Benton Harbor, Mich.) 
2019 - 2 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 PBU.
Edinboro - 2 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 PBU.
Delta St. - No stats. 
Career - 20 tackles, 5.0 TFL and 3.5 QB sacks.

DT James McBride (6-1, 280, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.) 
2019 - 5 tackles, 1.0 TFL (-2), 1 QBH.
Edinboro - 3 tackles, 1.0 TFL (-2), 1 QBH.
Delta St. - 2 tackles.
Career - 58 tackles, 12 TFL (-31), 3 QB sacks (-14).

DT Wallace Hall (6-2, 280, Jr., Ypsilanti, Mich.) 
2019 - 10 tackles, 2.5 TFL (-6), 1 QBH.
Edinboro - 3 tackles, 1.0 TFL (-1), 1 QBH.
Delta St. - 7 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-5), 1 Blk FG.
Career - 46 tackles, 8.0 TFL (-18)...1.0 QB sacks (-4).

DT Kurrell Vaughn (6-3, 285, Sr., Shreveport, La.) 
2019 - 7 tackles, 1 TFL (-2), 1 QBH.
Edinboro - 1 tackle, 1 QBH.
Delta St. - 6 tackles, 1 TFL (-2)
Career - 21 tackles, 3.5 TFL (-10), 1.0 QB sack (-5).

DE Jake Hlava (6-3, 250, Jr., Batavia, Ill.) 
2019 - 4 tackle, 1 TFL (-2)
Edinboro - 1.0 tackle.
Delta St. - 3 tackles, 1 TFL (-2)
Career - 30 tackles, 5.5 TFL (-18), 1.5 QB sacks (-7).

DT Dennis Johnson (6-3, 300, Jr., Columbus, Ohio) 
2019 - 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-8), 1 QB sack (-4)
Edinboro - 1 tackle
Delta St. - 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-8), 1 QB sack (-4)
Career - 

DE Christian McCarroll
2019 - 7 tackles, 1 TFL (-4), 1 QB sack (-3).
Edinboro - 3 tackles, 1 TFL (-4), 1 QB sack (-3).
Delta St. - 4 tackles.
Career - 7 tackles, 1 TFL (-4), 1 QB sack (-3).

DE Caleb Murphy 
2019 - 5 tackles, 2 TFL (-6), 1 QB sack (-4)
Edinboro - 
Delta St. - 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-5), 1 QB sack (-4)
Career - 5 tackles, 2 TFL (-6), 1 QB sack (-4).

DE Xavier Washington 
2019 - 5 tackles, 1 TFL (-2), 1 QB sack (-2)
Edinboro - DNP
Delta St. - 5 tackles, 1 TFL (-2), 1 QB sack (-2)
Career - 5 tackles, 1 TFL (-2), 1 QB sack (-2)

MLB Isaiah Nkansah (6-2, 225, Sr., Mason, Ohio)  
2019 - 25 tackles, 2 QB sacks (-10), 2 TFL (-10), 1 QBH, 1 BLK punt.
Edinboro - 5 tackles...1 BLK punt.
Delta St. - Career-high 20 tackles, 2 QB sacks (-10), 2 TFL (-10), D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week...GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Career - 145 tackles and 13 TFL (-44)...3.0 QB sack (-18)...6 PBU.

NLB Tyler Bradfield (5-11, 200, Jr., Rockford, Mich.) - 
2019 - 13 tackles, 1 TFL (-4), 1 QB sack (-4), 2 PBU.
Edinboro - 6 tackles, 2 PBU.
Delta St. - 7 tackles, 1 TFL (-4), 1 QB sack (-4). 
Career - 146 tackles, 12.0 TFL (-40), 4 QB sacks (-26), 2 INT, 9 PBU.

WLB Brendann Brown (6-1, 213, So., Southfield, Mich.) 
2019 - 18 tackles, 3.0 TFL (-4), 1.0 QB sacks (-1).
Edinboro - 5 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-3), 1.0 QB sacks (-1).
Delta St. - Career-high 13 tackles, 1 TFL (-1).
Career - 24 tackles, 4.0 TFL (-7), 1.0 QB sacks (-1).

NLB Nick Foster (5-11, 193, So., West Chicago, Ill.) 
2019 - 3 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-4), 1 PBU.
Edinboro - 2 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-4), 1 PBU.
Delta St. - 1 tackle.
Career - 17 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-4), 2. PBU.

WLB Jace Demonov (6-1, 225, Jr., Ithaca, Mich.) 
2019 - 8 tackles.
Edinboro - 2 tackles.
Delta St. - 6 tackles.
Career - 40 career tackles...1.0 TFL (-2).

MLB Abe Swanson (6-1, 215, RFr., St. Charles, Ill.)
2019 - 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-7), 1.0 QB sacks (-7).
Edinboro - 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-7), 1.0 QB sacks (-7).
Delta St. - No stats.
Career - 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL (-7), 1.0 QB sacks (-7).

LB Damon Wesley (6-0, 225, So., Indianapolis, Ind.) 
2019 - 3 tackles
Edinboro - 1 tackle
Delta St. - 2 tackles
Career - 5 tackles, 1 TFL

CB DaMario Johnson (6-1, 183, Sr., Hammond, Ind.)
2019 - 2 tackles, 1 PBU 
Edinboro - No stats.
Delta St. - 2 tackles, 1 PBU.
Career - 69 tackles, 14 PBU, 2 INT.

CB Jaylen Moore (6-0, 180, Sr., Murrieta, Calif.)
2019 - 2 tackles, 1 PBU.
Edinboro - No stats.
Delta St. - 2 tackles, 1 PBU
Career - 142 tackles, 21 pass PBU, 4 INT.

CB J.T. Webb (5-11, 190, So., Elkhart, Ind.)
2019 - 4 tackles
Edinboro - 3 tackles
Delta St. - 1 tackle
Career - 4 tackles.

Kalen Dunham (6-2, 185, Sr., Canton, Mich.) 
2019 - 1 PBU
Edinboro - DNP
Delta St. - 1 PBU
Career - 69 tackles, 15 PBU and 2 INT...2018 19 tackles and 1 INT.
      
FS Antonio Strong (6-0, 195, So., Grand Rapids, Mich.) - 
2019 - 7 tackles, 1 INT
Edinboro - No stats.
Delta St. - 7 tackles, 1 INT (26 yds)
Career - 25 tackles, 2 INT, 1 PBU, 2 FF

FS Grant Postma (5-11, 195, Sr., Zeeland, Mich.) - 
2019 - 5 tackles.
Edinboro - 1 tackle.
Delta St. - 4 tackles.
Career - 60 tackles, 2.0 TFL (-6), 2 PBU.

FS De'Aundre Simpkins (6-3, 205, Sr., Grand Blanc, Mich.) 
2019 - 5 tackles
Edinboro - 3 tackles
Delta St. - 2 tackles
Career - 23 tackles
 
SS Jailyn Harden (6-0, 185, Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.) 
2019 - 7 tackles, 1 PBU.
Edinboro - 2 tackles, 1 PBU.
Delta St. - 5 tackles
Career - 139 career tackles...1.5 TFL (-1), 2 INT, 8 PBU.

P Dan Madden (6-3, 210, Sr., Parma Heights, Ohio) - 
2019 - 8 punts for a 41.5 ypp average...Long of 53...2 I20
Edinboro - 4 punts for a 37.2 ypp average...Long of 46...1 I20
Delta St. - 4 punts for a 45.8 ypp average...Long of 53...1 I20
Career - 38.2 ypp average...26 career punts inside the 20 yd. line.

PK Josh Gorball (6-1, 200, RFr., Elkhart, Ind.)
2019 - 9-for-9 in PATs
Edinboro - 5-for-5 PATs
Delta St. - 4-for-4 PATs
Career - 9-for-9 in PATs