GVSU Football Gamenotes

Game Day Information

TV/Video (Bryan Fongers and Bob Mitchell)
FloSports
WXSP-TV
 
Audio (Steve Lloyd-Jones and Tim Nott)
WLAV-FM 97
The Ticket GR 106.1
WJRW-AM 1340
WLCS-FM 98.3
 
La Poderosa 93.3/810 AM GR (Miguel Esparza and Elio Beitez)
103.1 FM Midland
1080 AM Lansing

• THE GAME
#4 Grand Valley State will host #1 Ferris State in the 2023 edition of the Anchor-Bone Classic. The Lakers claimed the 2022 trophy game by a 22-21 margin in Big Rapids. 

• THE SERIES
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Ferris State by a 30-23-1 margin. The Lakers are 16-11-1 at Top Taggart Field versus the Bulldogs and 14-12 at Lubbers Stadium. GVSU is 17-12 versus the Bulldogs since 1996 and own an 11-8 advantage since the Anchor-Bone Trophy debuted in 2002. The opening game of the Anchor-Bone Classic was not played due to a tragic death of a Ferris State player in practice. Six of the last seven meetings have been decided by seven points or less and have come down to the final drive of the game. GVSU and FSU have met twice in a season four times since 2015.  

Saturday's meeting will mark the 12th consecutive meeting that both teams are ranked, including five straight when both teams are ranked in the top six. Grand Valley State holds a 12-10 advantage when either team or both are ranked since 2001. GVSU has been ranked number one at the time of the meeting between the two programs and the Lakers are 6-1 in those games. Ferris State has been ranked number one three times at the time of the meeting and the Lakers hold a 2-1 advantage (1996 and 2022) in those game.

NATIONS LEADING WINNING %
• Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country, boasting a record of 435-150-3 (.741) in 51 years of playing football. In addition, GVSU is also the winningest GLIAC program all-time with a 310-77-3 mark (.793). 

NCAA ATTENDANCE LEADERS
• GVSU once again leads the nation in total attendance (42,705) and average per game (14,235) in three home dates. GVSU has led the nation for 11 consecutive years. The Lakers have two home game totals (15,844 and 15,182) that would rank 16th and 17th in  season attendance and would rank second and third in season attendance in the GLIAC. 
 
10 WIN SEASONS
• Grand Valley State has won 10 or more games 18 times in the 51-year history of the program, including 16 times since 2001.

•  The Lakers are celebrating their 52nd year of football in 2023. GVSU is the all-time winningest program in DII history with a record of 435-150-3 (.741).  In addition, GVSU is also the winningest team in GLIAC history with a 310-77-3 mark (.795).     

• GVSU has won a total of four national championships (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) in program history.

• The Lakers have made six NCAA championship appearances (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009) in program history.

•  GVSU has made a total of 22 playoff appearances in program history, with the most recent coming in 2022.

• Grand Valley State has always played one of the most challenging schedules nationally and 2023 is no different. Five of the Lakers' first six opponents, including the first three non-conference games, are ranked in a national poll and six are currently ranked overall.  
Opponent (AFCA/D2Football)

Colorado Mines - #2/#2
Colorado State-Pueblo - #22/#21
Assumption - #19/#23 
Ferris State - #1/#1
Davenport - #18/#16 

• GVSU holds the Division II record for the longest winning streak at 40 consecutive wins from 2005-2007. The Lakers won two national championships during that span.

• In a one-time statistical note...Grand Valley State is averaging 49.6 points per game and is yielding 49.6 rushing yards per game.

• The GVSU defense held Kentucky State to -22 rushing yards, the fourth lowest single-game total in program history. 

• The Laker offense tallied 668 yards of total offense vs. Kentucky State, the eighth-best, single-game total in program history. 

• The GVSU defense held Saginaw Valley State to 142 yards (108 passing/34 rushing) and Kentucky State to 154 yards (176 passing/-22 rushing). Combined, the Lakers' last two opponents have 296 yards of total offense on 122 plays (2.4 ypp). 

• Since Colorado Mines rushed for 109 yards and two TDs in the opener, Laker opponents have 145 rushing yards and one rushing TD the last four games (36.2 ypg) on 105 carries (1.3 ypc). 

• The Laker defense did not allow SVSU a first down in the first half and forced 10 drives of three plays or less in the game. In addition, the Laker defense held the Cardinals to eight yards or less on 10-of-13 drives in the game...GVSU limited Kentucky State to -22 rushing yards and 10 drives that consisted of five plays or less.

Last Week - GVSU scored early and often offensively, while the Laker defense continued to dominate and the special teams unit scored another touchdown as GVSU claimed a 65-7 victory over Kentucky State. Nine different players scored touchdowns and senior DE Chrisitan McCarroll recorded a safety. CB Grant Hart returned a blocked field goal 96 yards for a TD with no time left in the first half. The defense limited Kentucky State to 154 yards of total offense, including -22 rushing yards on 21 attempts. In addition, the defense tallied 11 tackles for loss (-61), seven QB sacks (-49) and limited the Thorobreds to 10 drives that consisted of five plays or less. Junior WR Kyle Nott led the offense with 115 all-purpose yards (68 rushing/47 receiving) on two touches. Freshman RB Kenneth Jones rushed seven times for 95 yards. 

LAKER BYTES
• Special Special Teams - 
   - GVSU ranks 10th nationally in kickoff return defense (14.57 ypr).
   - GVSU ranks third nationally in kickoff return average (31.1 ypr).
   - GVSU ranks seventh nationally in net punting (40.2 ypp).
   - GVSU ranks 34th nationally in punt return defense (3.75 ypr). 
   - GVSU ranks 35th nationally in punt return average (12.1 ypr)
- Assumption tallied 12 kickoff return yards on three returns (4.0 ypr).

 - The Lakers' kickoff return team tallied the 5th-best single-game total in GVSU football history with 216 yards on five returns vs. CSU-Pueblo.

 - GVSU tallied 215 return yards (Punt-KO) at Saginaw Valley State, including a kickoff return for a TD and a punt return for a TD on consecutive returns.

• Grand Valley State ranks third nationally and leads the GLIAC in scoring offense (49.6 ppg).

• The Laker defense ranks 17th nationally and second in the GLIAC in first down defense (83)...The Laker offense is second in the GLIAC in first down offense with 119. 

• Grand Valley State ranks 2nd nationally in rushing defense (49.6 ypg) and have yielded 145 rushing yards and one rushing TD in the last four games (36.2 ypg) on 105 carries (1.3 ypc).

• The Laker offense ranks fifth in total offense (491.8) and 10th nationally in rushing yards per game (247.4). 

• GVSU has 18 rushing TDs and have yielded just three rushing TDs in five games.

• GVSU ranks third nationally and first in the GLIAC in QB sacks per game (4.0).

• GVSU ranks 10th nationally and first in the GLIAC in third down defense (.254). 

• For the first time in program history GVSU recorded a kickoff return for a TD (Kellen Reed - 94 yards) and a punt return for a TD (Darrell Johnson - 57 yards) in the same game. In addition, the Lakers' returned an interception for a defensive TD (Luke McLean - 44 yards) for another first of three non-offensive TDs in one game.

• RS Freshman Kellen Reed leads the nation in kickoff return average (50.6) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (2). Reed has touched  the ball 11 times in his career for 387 yards (35.2 ypt) for three TDs...Reed is averaging 96.7 all-purpose yards per game.
   
 - Reed's TD have covered:
  ^ 95-yd kickoff return for TD (CSU-P)
  ^ 67-yd reception for TD (Assumption)
  ^ 94-yd kickoff return for TD (SVSU)

• Junior Darrell Johnson ranks 10th in the country in yards per punt return (18.6) and is third in punt returns for a TD with one. 

• Senior QB Cade Peterson leads the nation in yards per completion (17.2), 2nd nationally and first in the GLIAC in yards per attempt (10.2) and is first in the GLIAC in pass efficiency rating (167.4).

• Junior WR Cody Tierney ranks 4th in the GLIAC in receiving yards (347), receiving yards per game (69.4) and 6th in receptions (19). 

• Senior RB Tariq Reid leads the GLIAC in rushing TDs with six and is third in scoring (7.5 ppg).

• Senior DE Christian McCarroll leads the GLIAC and ranks 7th nationally in tackles for loss (10.0), while leading the GLIAC and ranking 4th nationally in QB  sacks (6.0).

• Junior Darrell Johnson has 1,279 all-purpose yards (502 receiving-377 punt returns-331 kickoff returns).

• Kyle Nott's 87-yard run for a TD at Saginaw Valley State was the 6th longest rushing touchdown in program history...Nott is averaging 21.6 yards per rush and 26.0 yards per reception in 2023...The last three times he has touched the ball Nott has 155 rushing yards and one TD on two carries and a 47-yard TD reception...Nott has five rushing TDs in 27 carries for an average of a TD every 5.2 carries...In addition, he has 341 rushing yards and 333 receiving yards.

• Grand Valley State has four special teams touchdowns, a defensive touchdown and a safety in five games.

 Reed - 95-yd kickoff return for TD (CSU-P)
 Reed - 94-yd kickoff return for TD (SVSU)
 D. Johnson - 57-yd punt return for TD (SVSU)
 Mclean - 44-yd interception return TD (SVSU)
 Hart - 96-yd blocked FG return for TD (KSU)
 McCarroll - Safety (KSU)

#2 Tariq Reid, RB
2023 - Rushed 56 times for 253 yards and six TDs...Rushed seven times for 57 yards vs. KSU...Toted the ball nine times for 57 yards at SVSU...Rushed for 119 yards and a single-game, career-high four TDs vs. CSU-Pueblo.

2022 All-American...Ranks 14th among active RB in career rushing yards with 2,414 yards and 34 TDs on 413 carries in his career…Hauled in 14 receptions for 139 yards and two TDs...Rushed for 1,027 yards and 19 TDs in 2022.

#4 Darrell Johnson, WR
2023 - Tallied 14 receptions for 181 yards and one TD on the year...Caught one pass for 23 yards vs. Kentucky St...Returned a punt 57 yards for a TD at SVSU...Hauled in a career-high six passes for 69 yards and a TD vs. Assumption...Hauled in three passes for 54 yards and returned two kickoffs for 115 yards vs. CS-Pueblo...Caught three passes for 28 yards at Mines in the opener.

Played in 29 career games....39 career receptions for 502 yards and one TD...27 punt returns for 377 yards and two TDs...1,279 all-purpose yards.

#5 Cody Tierney, WR
2023 - Hauled in 19 receptions for 343 yards and two TDs...Hauled in two passes for 25 yards vs. Kentucky State...Caught two passes for 30 yards at SVSU...Caught three passes for 35 yards vs. Assumption...Caught four passes for 106 yards and one TD vs. CS-Pueblo...Opened the 2023 season with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games...Tallied career-highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (151) in opener at Mines.

Played in 30 career games...87 catches for 1,236 yards and eight TDs in his career...Became the 41st player in Laker football history to reach the 1,000-yard mark...Four career 100-yard receiving games.

#8 Kyle Nott, WR
2023 - Hauled in six receptions for 156 yards and two TDs...Rushed eight times for 173 yards and two TD...Caught one pass for 47 yards and a TD, while rushing one time for 68 yards vs. Kentucky State (115 all-purpose yards)...Toted the ball one time for 87 yards and a TD. 87-yard TD run ranks seventh all-time...Hauled in one pass for 23 yards vs. Assumption...Caught one pass for 27 yards and a TD vs. CS-Pueblo...Recorded career-highs in receptions (3) and receiving yards (59) at Mines in the opener.

Played in 30 career games...Tallied 18 catches for 333 yards and 4 TDs...Rushed 27 times for 341 yards and five TDs...Recorded 854 all-purpose yards.

#13 Cade Peterson, QB
2023 - Completed 56-of-94 passes for 975 yards and eight TDs...Rushed 40 times for 206 yards and three TDs...Was 7-for-7 for 132 yards and two TDs vs. Kentucky St...Completed 7-of-16 passes for 156 yards and one TD at SVSU...Named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 15-of-23 passes for 237 yards and two TDs., while rushing for 60 yards and two TDs vs. Assumption...Completed 9-of-13 passes for 155 and one TD, while rushing for 66 yards vs. CS-Pueblo...Completed 18-of-35 passes for 295 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 64 yards and one TD on 14 carries at Mines in the opener. 

Played in 40 career games...2022 All-American...2022 GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year...Completed 410-of-688 passes for 6,090 yards and 55 TDs in his career…Rushed for 1,472 yards and 18 TDs on 274 carries…Became the fourth GVSU QB to reach the 1,000-yard rushing and 6,000-yard passing mark...Accounted for 7,562 yards of total offense and 73 career TDs...Ranks 12th nationally among active QBs in total offense, 10th in passing yards and seventh in passing efficiency (154.22).

#15 Avery Moore, QB
2023 - Rushed 12 times for 75 yards...3-for-3 passing for 57 yards and one TD.  

Rushed 77 times for 366 yards and five TDs in his career....Completed 8-of-13 passes for 94 yards and three TDs.

#88 Gavin Cossou, TE
2023 - Hauled in 10 passes for 139 yards and two TDs...Hauled in three receptions for 37 yards and one TD vs. Kentucky St...Caught two passes for 25 yards and a TD at SVSU...Hauled in one pass for 16 yards vs. Assumption...Caught two passes for 43 yards at Mines...Hauled in two passes for 18 yards vs. CS-Pueblo.

Played in 29 career games...15 catches for 210 yards and three TDs.

#7 Kellen Reed, WR
2023 - 387 all-purpose yards (253 KO return - 67 receiving - 67 rushing)...Leads the nation in kickoff return average (50.6) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (2)..Reed has touched  the ball 11 times in his career for 387 yards (35.2 ypt) for three TDs...Reed is averaging 96.8 all-purpose yards per game, fifth in the GLIAC.  

#41 Abe Swanson, LB
2023 - Recorded 26 total tackles, 2.5 TFL (-8), 1.0 QB sacks (-5) and one interception...Recorded seven tackles and a TFL (-2) at SVSU...Tallied seven tackles and picked off a pass vs. Assumption...Tallied three tackles at Mines...Recorded nine tackles, 1.0 TFL (-5) and 1.0 QB sacks (-5) vs. CS-Pueblo. 

Top LB in country...Consensus All-American...GLIAC Linebacker of the Year...Played in 41 career games...247 tackles...23.0 tackles for loss (-95) and 9.0 QB sacks (-46)...Eight pass deflections, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

#2 Terez Reid, DB
2023 - Recorded 15 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception...Notched three tackles at SVSU...Tallied two tackles and a pass breakup vs. Assumption...Tallied six tackles at Mines...Recorded two tackles and two PBUs vs. CS-Pueblo.

All-GLIAC honoree...Recorded 50 career tackles and eight pass deflections and an interception.

#9 Christian McCarroll, DE
2023 - Tallied 30 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss(-50) and 6.0 QB sacks (-43) and four QB hurries...Named GLIAC Defensive POW after a four- tackle, 2.0 TFL (-6) and 1.0 QB sacks (-3)...Recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.5 QB sacks at SVSU...Named GLIAC POW after a career-high 10 tackles, 2.5 TFL (-9) and 1.5 QB sacks (-8) vs. Assumption...Recorded nine tackles, three tackles for loss (-18) and two QB sacks (-16) at Mines...Tallied two tackles, 1.0 TFL (-1) and two QB hurries vs. CS-Pueblo.

Played in 40 career games...Preseason All-American...2022 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year...118 tackles, 26.5 TFL (-120) and 13.0 QB sacks (-84).

#3 Damonte McCurdy, LB
2023 - Recorded 10 tackles and a pass breakup...Tallied four stops at SVSU...Did not play at Mines...Tallied three tackles and a pass breakup vs. Assumption...Notched one tackle vs. CS-Pueblo

Played in 29 career games...All-GLIAC performer...123 tackles...4.5 tackles for loss (-8)...One QB sack (-3)...10 pass breakups and two career interceptions.

#7 Jay'Viar Suggs, DT
2023 - Recorded six stops, 2.0 TFL (-11) and .5 QB sack (-3)...Recorded three tackles and 1.5 TFL (-8) at SVSU...DNP vs. Assumption...DNP vs. CS-Pueblo...Tallied three tackles, .5 TFL (-3) and .5 QB sack (-3) at Mines.

Recorded 27 total tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss (-34) and 3.5 QB sacks (20)... Notched five pass deflections.

#20 Ian Kennelly, FS
2023 - Tallied 19 tackles and one interception...Recorded four tackles and picked off a pass at Saginaw Valley State...Notched three stops vs. Assumption...Recorded seven tackles at Mines, played every snap on defense...Tallied five tackles vs. CS-Pueblo.

Played in 28 career games...71 tackles ...Eight pass breakups and three interceptions.

#55 Colton Hyble, DE
2023 - Tallied 11 tackles, 1.0 TFL (-2) and 1.0 QB sacks (-2)...Notched five stops and a QB hurry vs Assumption...Recorded five tackles Tallied four tackles and a pass deflection at Mines...Recorded two tackles, .5 TFL (-2) and .5 QB sack (-2) vs. CS-Pueblo. 

Played in 30 career games...All-GLIAC performer...Recorded 78 tackles...
Notched 13.5 tackles for loss (-64) and 5.5 QB sacks (-47)...Selected as a member of the 2023 22-member AFCA Allstate Good Works Team.

#92 Jack Gilchrist DT
2023 - Tallied seven tackles, 1.0 TFL (-3) and 1.0 QB sacks (-3)...Recorded three tackles at Mines...Tallied four tackles, 1.0 TFL (-3) and .5 QB sack (-2) vs. CS-Pueblo.

Played in 27 career games...All-GLIAC honoree...71 career tackles...11.5 tackles for loss (-45) and 6.5 QB sacks (-38).