Sept. 6, 2004

The number-one ranked Grand Valley State Laker football team claimed a convincing 48-17 victory Saturday (Sept. 4) night in Erie, Pa., over a Gannon University that entered the game with a 10-game winning streak. GVSU in turn upped its winning streak to 10 games overall, 22 consecutive on the road, including eight straight dating back to the eighth game in 2003.

It was a classic case of taking what they give as Gannon was bound and determined not to give up rushing yards to the GVSU offense and Michael Tennessee. The Lakers in turn took what the Gannon defense did give in terms of passing yards. Grand Valley State opened the game in fine fashion as GVSU forced a Gannon punt and on the Lakers' second play sophomore QB Cullen Finnerty found junior WR Brandon Langston on a flag route that covered 59 yards for a TD. GVSU's next possession was the Finnerty to Demonte Collins show. Finnerty hit the freshman WR with five passes that covered 57 yards, the final a three yard TD reception at the 10:38 mark of the first quarter to give the Lakers a 14-0 lead. Gannon pulled to within 14-7 as QB Darmel Whitfield put the finishing touches on a 15-play, 73-yard drive with a 13 yard TD run, however GVSU responded quickly as Finnerty hit Langston with a 41 yard TD pass to give the Lakers a 21-7 lead. The Golden Knights put together another nice drive that covered 59 yards in 11 plays. Whitfield hit Wes Whiteside with a six-yard scoring pass. GVSU answered as Langston took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a TD and a 28-14 lead.

GVSU converted a Gannon fumble into seven more points as Finnerty hit Collins with a five yard scoring pass to conclude a seven-play, 46 yard drive. Gannon kicked a 32 yard field goal, to pull within 35-17 with 59 seconds left in the opening half, but the Lakers went 62 yards in 24 seconds as Finnerty again found Collins with a score, this coming from 18 yards out to give the Lakers a commanding 42-17 halftime lead. GVSU's Scott Greene kicked two second half field goals to push the Laker advantage to 48-17. GVSU held the potent Golden Knight scoreless in the final 30 minutes.

Collins etched his name in the Laker record books in just his second collegiate game. Collins set the GVSU single-game reception record with 13 catches for 217 yards and three TDs. Collins actually set the record in just one half of football as he caught 12 passes for 201 yards and three TDs in the opening two quarters of play. Finnerty completed 22-of-35 passes for a career-high 391 yards and five TDs. Junior QB Jeff Dock completed 4-of-6 passes for 50 yards to give the Lakers' their second best passing yardage total (441yards) in school history. Langston hauled in five passes for 149 yards and two TDs. Michael Tennessee moved into the third spot in all-time rushing yards with 2,967 yards. Tennessee rushed for 47 yards on just 14 carries versus Gannon.

Senior CB Marvis Bryant led the defense with 13 total tackles and two tackles for loss (-12). Senior DB DeJuane Boone and freshman LB Matt Beaty each chipped in with 10 tackles. Senior DE Aaron Hein added nine tackles and Joe Ballard added eight stops and a fumble recovery.