GVSU Football Highlights

GVSU Postgame Comments

#4 Grand Valley State claimed a 20-0 victory over Michigan Tech Saturday afternoon in Houghton, Michigan. The Lakers improve to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in GLIAC play. GVSU will complete the regular season portion of the schedule next Saturday and first-year GLIAC foe Roosevelt. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET. 
 
Grand Valley State used the running game midway through the first quarter with a 12-play, 63-yard scoring drive, all on the ground. Sophomore Khalil Eichelberger finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown runs and place kicker Mathew Bacik added the PAT for a 7-0 Laker lead. Late in the second quarter GVSU used the running game and passing game to move down the field. Junior running back Syone Usma-Harper toted the ball for 33 yards, QB Avery Moore also picked up some rushing yardage and a key third down with his legs. Moore then hit senior wide receiver Kyle Nott with a 14-yard completion in the back of the endzone for a touchdown and Bacik again added the PAT for a 14-0 halftime lead.
 
The Lakers drove 51 yards in eight plays as Moore finished the drive with a 11-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to complete the scoring.
 
GVSU dominated every facet of the game en route to the win. The defense limited MTU to 100 yards of total offense (64 rushing/36 passing) and 19:09 in time of possession for the game. In addition, the Huskies managed just 30 yards on 15 plays in the second half and GVSU held a 27-6 advantage in first downs. 
 
The Laker offense rolled up 477 yards (242 rushing/235 passing) of total offense on 88 plays and possessed the ball for 40:51 seconds. After back-to-back three and outs to start the game, GVSU recorded four drives of 11 plays or more and seven drives of eight plays or more. The Lakers failed on two fourth down attempts inside the Michigan Tech five-yard line and fumbled through the endzone for a touchback in the second half. GVSU was 11-for-19 on third down conversions. 
 
The shutout was the first for Grand Valley State versus Michigan Tech since a 44-0 win in Houghton in 1980. 
 
Moore completed 8-of-16 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown, while toting the ball 13 times for 94 yards and a TD. Eichelberger rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries, while Usma-Harper added 55 yards on 15 carries. Tight end Gavin Cossou hauled in four receptions for 70 yards, while WR Kellen Reed added two catches for 48 yards, Eichelberger two for 30 yards and Nott two for 25 yards and a touchdown. 
 
Safety Ian Kennelly and linebacker Anthony Cardamone led the defense with five tackles each and linebacker Damonte McCurdy added two tackles and an interception.