GVSU Football Gamenotes

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• THE GAME
#2 Grand Valley State will host #16 Davenport Saturday in a GLIAC Championship game at Lubbers Stadium. GVSU will honor 13 seniors prior to the game. 
 
THE SERIES
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series with Davenport by a 5-0 margin. GVSU won the 2022 meeting in dominating fashion, 49-7, and have won the last two meetings by a combined score of 91-7. The Lakers claimed the 2019 meeting 27-7 in a monsoon and won the 2018 matchup 19-14 at Davenport. The Lakers won the first meeting between the programs in Allendale (2017) by a 48-0 score. The Lakers have outscored the Panthers 185 (37.0) - 28 (5.6) in five meetings with two shutouts. 

NATIONS LEADING WINNING %
• Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country, boasting a record of 439-150-3 (.744) in 51 years of playing football. In addition, GVSU is also the winningest GLIAC program all-time with a 314-77-3 mark (.800). 

NCAA ATTENDANCE LEADERS
• GVSU once again leads the nation in total attendance (72,296) and average per game (14,459) in five home dates. GVSU has led the nation for 11 consecutive years. 

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.

Since 11-3-2001 GVSU has been ranked in the top 4 of a D2 poll 160 weeks (out of a total of 260 weeks). 

•  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 439-150-3 (.744).  In addition, GVSU is also the winningest team in GLIAC history with a 314-77-3 mark (.799). 
    
• 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 - #16/#23
 
• 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.

Last Week - Grand Valley State scored on its first five possessoions and built a 49-0 lead in the third quarter after an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown by Kyle Nott. Eight different players scored a touchdown, with four coming via the run game and four  in the passing game. Cade Peterson completed 10-of-11 passes for 136 yards and three TDs, while Tariq Reid rushed for 78 yards and two TDs. WR Donovan Johnson caught three passes for 104 yards and a TD. LB JT Popp led the defense with seven tackles and 3.0 TFL (-8). The Lakers recorded 12.0 TFL (-55) and 5.0 QB sacks (-39). 

• The GVSU defense has held two opponents to negative rushing yards this season. Kentucky State tallied -22 rushing yards, the fourth lowest single-game total in program history, while Michigan Tech recorded -4 rushing yards.

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

• The GVSU defense has held three opponents to 161 yards of total offense or less. Saginaw Valley State recorded 142 yards (108 passing/34 rushing), Kentucky State 154 yards (176 passing/-22 rushing) and Michigan Tech 161 yards (165 passing/-4 rushing). 

• Since Colorado Mines rushed for 109 yards and two TDs in the opener, Laker opponents have 365 rushing yards and three rushing TDs the last eight games (45.6) on 212 carries (1.7 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. 
 
• In the last seven games the GVSU offense has scored on 34-of-36 redzone opportunities, 31 TDs and three FG. 
   The Laker defense has allowed just 11 redzone opportunities total in the last seven games.

• The GVSU O-Line has allowed just 14 QB sacks in the last seven games.

• The Laker defense has 10 interceptions, 28 pass breakups, 30 QB sacks and 30 QB hurries in the last seven games. 

• The Laker rushing game has tallied 2,004 yards and 25 rushing TDs in the last seven games. GVSU is averaging 286.2 yards per game and 7.9 yards per carry. 

• The GVSU defense has forced 73 drives that have been six plays or less and 46 drives that have been three-and-out in the last seven games.

• Grand Valley State leads the nation in scoring offense (53.3 ppg).

• All-time Best GVSU Scoring Offense
2001 - 8 50+ season; 8 43+ in a row
2002 - 7 50+ season; 6 43+ in a row
2023 - 6 50+ season; 8 43+ in a row
2003 - 5 50+ season; 4 43+ in a row
2016 - 4 50+ season; 3 43+ in a row

• The Laker offense has produced 68 plays (rushing 30/Passing 38) that have gone 20 yards or more, 23 of which have gone for touchdowns. Cody Tierney leads the way with 11, followed by Kyle Nott with 10. Cade Peterson seven, Darrell Johnson five and three players have five.  

• Special Special Teams - 
   - GVSU leads the nation in special teams TDs with five.
   - GVSU ranks 12th nationally in kickoff return defense (15.4 ypr).
   - GVSU ranks 15th nationally in kickoff return average (23.6 ypr).
   - GVSU ranks 6th nationally in net punting (41.2 ypp).

• 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.

• The Laker offense ranks third nationally in total offense (496.7) and sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (262.1).

• Grand Valley State is the only team in the country to rank in the top six of both rushing offense and rushing defense. 

The Lakers rank 2nd nationally in rushing defense (52.0 ypg) and have yielded 365 rushing yards and three rushing TDs in the last seven games (41.0 ypg) on 212 carries (1.6 ypc).

• GVSU is sixth nationally in rushing offense (262.1 ypg). The Lakers have rushed for 248 yards or more in seven consecutive games.

• GVSU has 32 rushing TDs and have yielded just five rushing TDs in eight games.

• GVSU leads the nation in sacks per game (4.67) and ranks seventh in tackles for loss (8.3) per game.

• GVSU ranks 15th in third down conversion defense (.286), while ranking 23rd in third down conversion offense (.453). 

• 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 (33.3) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (2). Reed, who has 547 yards and five TDs, is averaging 68.3 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 8th in the country in yards per punt return (15.2).

• Senior QB Cade Peterson ranks 28th nationally in yards per completion (14.2), 6th nationally in yards per attempt (9.3) and 7th in pass efficiency rating (170.6).

• Junior WR Cody Tierney ranks sixth in the GLIAC in receiving yards (532),  receiving yards per game (59.1) and reception receptions (31). 

• Senior RB Tariq Reid leads GLIAC running backs in rushing TDs with nine and is fourth in scoring (6.7 ppg).

• Senior DE Christian McCarroll ranks second in the GLIAC and 17th nationally in QB sacks (7.0)...McCarroll ranks third in the GLIAC in TFL (12.5)
• Sophomore DE Niles King  leads the GLIAC and ranks 15th nationally in QB sacks with 8.0, while ranking fifth in the GLIAC in tackles for loss (8.5).

• Junior Darrell Johnson has 1,512 all-purpose yards (577 receiving-503 punt returns-363 kickoff returns).

• Kyle Nott is the only GLIAC player to to have at least 237 yards rushing and 266 yards receiving...Nott's 87-yard run for a TD at Saginaw Valley State was the 6th longest rushing touchdown in program history, while his 81-yard punt return for a TD is the fifth-lontest..Nott is averaging 19.8 yards per rush and 16.6 yards per reception in 2023...Nott has 12 rushes for 237 yards and two TDs, while catching 16 passes for 266 yards and three TDs.

27-yd TD reception vs. CSP
87-yd TD run at SVSU
47-yd TD reception vs. KSU
68-yd run vs. KSU
30-yd TD reception vs. FSU
36-yd run vs. FSU
81-yd punt return for a TD vs. WSU

Nott has five rushing TDs in 31 carries for an average of a TD every 6.0 carries...In addition, he has 405 career rushing yards and 443 career receiving yards...He eclipsed the 1,000-yard all-purpose yards mark with 1,109. 

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

Special Teams Scores
Reed - 95-yd KO return for TD (CSUP)
Reed - 94-yd KO return for TD (SVSU)
D. Johnson - 57-yd punt ret for TD (SVSU)
Hart - 96-yd FG return for TD (KSU)
K. Nott 81-yd punt ret for TD (WSU)

Defensive Points
McLean - 44-yd INT return TD (SVSU)
McCarroll - Safety (KSU)
Cardamone - 20-yd INT return TD (FS)
McCurdy - 25-yd fumble return for TD (NM)
Barnett - 45-yd INT return TD (NM)

• Johnson & Johnson 
Jordan Johnson (13-259-2) and Donovan Johnson (9-231-2) have combined for 22 reception for 490 yards and four TDs in 2023. 

• GVSU tight end Gavin Cossou leads all GLIAC tight ends in receptions (18), yards (247) and TDs (3) in 2023. 


GVSU GLIAC Player of the Week

GLIAC POW 9/11
Freshman wide receiver Kellen Reed was named the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance vs. CSU-Pueblo. Reed returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched a ball in his collegiate career. Colorado State-Pueblo pulled to within a 28-21 score and Reed returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD to push the score to 35-21 at the half. The 95-yard return was the seventh-longest in program history and the first time a player returned a kickoff for a touchdown the first time he touched a ball in his career. #4 Grand Valley State claimed a 57-49 victory over #20 Colorado State-Pueblo in double overtime.

GLIAC POW 9/18
Senior quarterback Cade Peterson and senior defensive end Christian McCarroll earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors. The #4 Lakers claimed a 43-7 victory over #19 Assumption before a crowd of 15,844 at Lubbers Stadium. 

Peterson, who has now won the honor five times in his career, completed 15-of-23 passes for 237 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He contributed 297 yards and had a hand in four of GVSU's six touchdowns. 

McCarroll tallied a career-high 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (-9), 1.5 quarterback sacks (-8) and two QB hurries versus Assumption. McCarroll was a key figure in the Laker defense limiting the Greyhounds to 272 yards of total 

GLIAC POW 10/1
Sophomore defensive end Niles King and RS freshman WR Kellen Reed earned GLIAC honors after key performances in the Lakers' 55-14 win at Saginaw Valley State.

King tallied 2.5 QB sacks (-25), 2.5 tackles for loss (-25), 4.5 total tackles and forced a fumble for a Laker defense that limited SVSU to 142 yards of total offense, including 34 rushing yards in the game. 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. 

Reed returned two kickoffs for 116 yards, including a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after a Saginaw Valley State touchdown to pull the Cardinals within six points (20-14). Reed's return gave GVSU a 27-14 lead and sparked a 35-point outburst for GVSU in a span of five minutes on the game clock. Reed, who leads the nation in kickoff returns for touchdowns (2) and kickoff return average (50.6), also rushed three times for 19 yards versus the Cardinals. 

GLIAC POW 10/9
Grand Valley State senior defensive end Christian McCarroll tallied four tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss (-6) and a QB sack (-3) in just 15 snaps of action as GVSU claimed a 65-7 victory over Kentucky State. McCarroll's sack resulted in a safety for GVSU and he was a leader on a defense that limited Kentucky State to -22 rushing yards and 10 drives that consisted of five plays or less.

GLIAC POW 10/16
GVSU junior QB Avery Moore and sophomore LB Anthony Cardamone were named GLIAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week for their efforts in the Lakers' 49-28 win over Ferris State. 

Grand Valley State junior QB Avery Moore rushed for 126 yards and two TDs on nine carries, while completing a 30-yard TD pass.  

Cardamone tallied career-highs in tackles (11), TFL (4.0), QB sacks (3.0) and returned and interception 20 yards for a touchdown. 

GLIAC POW 10/23
Josh Gorball was named the GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week after converting 10-of-10 PATs and kicking a career-long 53-yard field goal, the second longest FG in Laker football history. 

GLIAC POW 10/23
Senior LB Abe Swanson and senior K Josh Gorball were earned GLIAC weekly honors in the Lakers' 44-13 win over Michigan Tech.

Swanson tallied a season-high 13 tackles, 1.0 QB sacks (-7), 1.0 tackle for loss (-7) and a QB hurry. Swanson led a defense that limited MTU to -4 yards rushing on 22 attempts and 161 yards of total offense.

Gorball connected on a 49-yard field goal and converted five point after attempts versus Michigan Tech. He now has the two longest field goals in the GLIAC this season (53 and 49 yards) in back-to-back games.