GVSU Gamenotes

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• THE GAME
#2 Grand Valley State will hit the road for a GLIAC matchup at Wayne State Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Tom Adams Field. GVSU has won 14 consecutive GLIAC games. 

THE SERIES
Grand Valley State leads the all-time series by a 38-6 margin and have won 33-of-the-last-34. The Lakers claimed a 48-9 victory over the Warriors earlier this season in Detroit. GVSU has won three consecutive matchups after dropping the 2019 meeting 31-17 at Lubbers Stadium. GVSU is 18-3 at Lubbers Stadium and 20-3 at Wayne State. The average margin of victory in the last 34 games for the Lakers is 41.2-13.1 and GVSU has scored 40 or more points 14 times and held WSU to 10 points or less 12 times. 

Since 11-3-2001 GVSU has been ranked in the top 4 of a D2 poll 159 weeks (out of a total of 259 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 438-150-3 (.743).  In addition, GVSU is also the winningest team in GLIAC history with a 313-77-3 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 - #9/#13
 
• 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 two possessions and never looked back en route to a 44-13 victory. Senior PK Josh Gorball hit a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter to push the lead to 24-10. Quarterbacks Cade Peterson (2) and Avery Moore (1) rushed for a combine three TDs in the second half. Peterson tallied 91 rushing yards and three TDs, while throwing for 164 yards and one TD. Moore rushed for two TDs. Senior LB Abe Swanson led the defense with 13 tackles, 1.0 QB sacks and 1.0 TFL. 

• 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 287 rushing yards and three rushing TDs the last seven games (41.0) on 175 carries (1.6 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 six games the GVSU offense has scored on 29-of-31 redzone opportunities, 26 TDs and two FG. 
   The Laker defense has allowed just 10 redzone opportunities, with the opponents scoring seven TDs. 

• The GVSU O-Line has allowed just 11 QB sacks in the last six games.

• The Laker defense has 10 interceptions, 22 pass breakups, 25 QB sacks and 25 QB hurries in the last six games. 

• The Laker rushing game has tallied 1,755 yards and 21 rushing TDs in the last six games. GVSU is averaging 292.5 yards per game and 7.9 yards per carry. 

• The GVSU defense has forced 66 drives that have been six plays or less and 41 drives that have been three-and-out in the last six games.

• 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 - 5 50+ season; 7 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 62 plays (rushing 28/Passing 34) that have gone 20 yards or more, 20 of which have gone for touchdowns. Cody Tierney leads the way with 11, followed by Kyle Nott with 10. Cade Peterson six, Darell Johnson five and three players have four.  

LAKER BYTES
• Special Special Teams - 
   - GVSU ranks 12th nationally in kickoff return defense (15.8 ypr).
   - GVSU ranks 16th nationally in kickoff return average (23.7 ypr).
   - GVSU ranks 7th nationally in net punting (39.1 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.

• Grand Valley State leads the nation in scoring offense (51.8 ppg).

• The Laker offense ranks third nationally in total offense (494.4) and sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (263.8).

• The Laker defense ranks 25th nationally and second in the GLIAC in first down defense (134).

• 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 (48.8 ypg) and have yielded 287 rushing yards and three rushing TDs in the last seven games (41.0 ypg) on 175 carries (1.6 ypc).

GVSU is sixth nationally in rushing offense (263.8 ypg). The Lakers have rushed for 248 yards or more in six consecutive games.

• GVSU has 28 rushing TDs and have yielded just five rushing TDs in eight games.

• GVSU leads the nation in sacks per game (4.62) and ranks 22nd in tackles for loss (7.9).

• GVSU ranks 10th nationally and first in the GLIAC in third down defense (.273), while ranking 28th nationally and first in the GLIAC in third down offense (.449).  

• 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 (34.5) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (2). Reed, who has 512 yards and five TDs, is averaging 73.3 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 7th in the country in yards per punt return (15.2).

• Senior QB Cade Peterson ranks 24th nationally in yards per completion (14.2), 8th nationally in yards per attempt (9.1) and 12th in pass efficiency rating (162.8).

• Junior WR Cody Tierney ranks sixth in the GLIAC in receiving yards (506),  receiving yards per game (63.2) and reception receptions (29). 

• Senior RB Tariq Reid leads GLIAC running backs in rushing TDs with seven and is sixth in scoring (6.0 ppg).

• Senior DE Christian McCarroll leads the GLIAC and ranks 17th nationally in QB sacks (6.0)...McCarroll also leads the GLIAC in TFL (11.0)

• Sophomore DE Niles King  ranks 17th nationally and leads the GLIAC in QB sacks with six, while ranking fifth in the GLIAC in tackles for loss (8.5).

• Junior Darrell Johnson has 1,382 all-purpose yards (532 receiving-442 punt returns-339 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 21.5 yards per rush and 16.7 yards per reception in 2023...Nott has 11 rushes for 237 yards and two TDs, while catching 14 passes for 258 yards and three TDs...He is the only player in the GLIAC with 235 yards rushing and 250 yards receiving.  

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

Nott has five rushing TDs in 30 carries for an average of a TD every 6.0 carries...In addition, he has 405 career rushing yards and 435 career receiving yards...He eclipsed the 1,000-yard all-purpose yards mark with 1,020. 

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

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)
Mclean - 44-yd INT return TD (SVSU)
Hart - 96-yd FG return for TD (KSU)
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 (11-209-1) and Donovan Johnson (6-127) have combined for 17 reception for 336 yards and two TDs in 2023. 

• The Laker tight ends Gavin Cossou (16-210-2) and Drew Peterson (5-33-1) have combined for 21 receptions for 243 yards and three TDs. 

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.