GVSU - NMU Gamenotes
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#8 Grand Valley State (5-1, 2-1) will hit the road for a GLIAC contest at Northern Michigan (3-4, 1-2) Saturday (Oct. 23). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in the Superior Dome and all the action can be heard live on WLAV 96.9 FM. 

THE SERIES
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Northern Michigan by a 24-17-1 margin, having won five consecutive and 16-of-the-last-17. This will be the Lakers third consecutive trip to the Superior Dome. The Grand Valley State-Northern Michigan series has gone in cycles over the years. NMU won 12-of-the-first-13 meetings between the schools, but the Lakers' rebounded and went 7-1-1 from 1989-1997. The Wildcats won three straight meetings (1998-2000) prior to the Lakers' 11-game winning streak from 2001-2011. GVSU averaging 44.5 points in the last 14 meetings, while yielding 13.5. GVSU is 23-5-1 vs. NMU since 1989.  

LAST WEEK
#6 Grand Valley State dropped a close 35-28 decision to Ferris State before an overflow and GVSU single-game record crowd of 17,007. The Lakers took a 7-0 lead on a 33-yard TD by QB Cade Peterson, but Ferris State scored 28 consecutive points, 14 of which were off GVSU turnovers inside the FSU 5-yard line. Grand Valley State outscored the Bulldogs 21-7 in the second half and had a chance at an onside kick in the closing minutes. The Lakers outgained FSU 381-364, including a 206-129 advantage in rushing yards. 

For a complete look at the 2021 GVSU Football program click on the GVSU Football Game Notes link. Notes, stats and player information is available.
 
LAKERY BYTES

NATIONS LEADING WINNING %
• Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country, boasting a record of 414-147-3 (.738) in 49 years of playing football. In addition, GVSU is also the winningest GLIAC program all-time with a 298-77-3 league mark (.794). 

NCAA ATTENDANCE LEADERS
• GVSU leads the nation in attendance once again. The Lakers have drawn 53,391 in four home dates (13,348) this season. The Lakers led the nation in attendance for the 8th consecutive year in 2019, drawing 68,746 fans in seven home dates for an average of 9,820. The total and average led NCAA DII.
 
10 WIN SEASONS
• Grand Valley State has won 10 or more games 17 times in the 49-year history of the program, including 15 times since 2001.

• The Laker defense leads the GLIAC and ranks 19th nationally in total defense per game 277.8. 

• GVSU ranks second in the GLIAC and 25th nationally in total offense, averaging 438.8 yards per game. 

• GVSU leads the GLIAC and ranks eighth nationally in rushing yards per game,  averaging 241.8 yards per game...The Lakers are averaging 6.4 yards per carry and have rushed for 20 TDs in six games. Five Lakers have for at least two TDs, with Tariq Reid and Aryuan Cain-Veasey leading the way with five each. 

• The Lakers ranked 22nd nationally and lead the GLIAC in rushing defense per game (98.0 ypg). The GVSU defense has yielded just three rushing TDs in six games.

 • The GVSU defense has forced its opponents into 25 three-and-out possessions and 51-of-57 total possessions that have not resulted in points have consisted of six plays or less. 32 drives have consisted of 10 yards or less. 

• 17 different Laker receivers have caught a pass, while nine different players have caught a TD pass.

• GVSU rushed for 640 yards and 10 TDs versus UW-La Crosse and Michigan Tech. The Lakers rushed for 320 yards and four TDs vs. UWC, followed by a 320-yard, six-TD rushing game at MTU. 

• The Lakers are yielding 98.0 yards per game rushing, 2.9 yards per carry and opponents have three rushing TDs in six games. The Laker defense limited CSU-Pueblo to 29 rushing yards on 20 attempts (1.5 ypr), Michigan Tech to 82 yards on 31 carries (2.6 ypc) and Northwood to 95 yards on 34 carries.

• GVSU ranks second in the GLIAC and 15th nationally in third down percentage defense .269 (18-for-67).

• The Lakers rank second in the GLIAC and 8th nationally third down conversion at .525 (32-for-61). GVSU is converting .638 percent (23-for-36) of its 3rd down attempts in the first half, while opponents are converting 30.0 percent (12-for-39). 

• GVSU has recorded 16 drives that consisted of eight plays or more that have resulted in points. All total, the Lakers have scored on 34-of-65 drives (.523) this season. 

• GVSU has produced 51 explosive plays (20 yards or more) this season, including 16 via rush, 19 via pass. 

• GVSU has converted 24-of-27 red zone opportunities, including 22 TDs and two FGs. 

• The GVSU defense recorded 41 tackles for loss (-140), 11 QB sacks (-52), 50 QB hurries, 23 pass deflections, recovered six fumbles and picked off five passes.  

• Twenty-two different defenders have recorded a tackle for loss, including a team-high 5.0 (-16) by Jake Hlava and by Colton Hyble (-15). 

• Grand Valley State true freshman kicker Kolin Kralapp converted 14-of-14 PATs in his first two collegiate football games.