Oct. 29, 2005

Allendale, Mich. - The Game: #1-ranked Grand Valley State will return home for a homecoming against Northern Michigan. The Lakers are coming off a 30-14 victory at #5 Northwood last Saturday, while Northern Michigan dropped a 31-20 decision to #11 Saginaw Valley State in the Superior Dome.

The Series: Grand Valley State trails the all-time series with Northern Michigan by a 16-12-1 margin. The Grand Valley State-Northern Michigan series has gone in cycles over the years. NMU won 12-of-the-first-13 meetings between the schools, but the Lakers rebounded and went 7-1-1 from 1989-1997. The Wildcats won three straight meetings prior to the Lakers' four straight wins heading into this Saturday's game. GVSU claimed a 45-29 victory at NMU a year ago and the Lakers are averaging 52.5 points in the last four meetings.

Grand Valley State Grand Valley State has an all-time overall mark of 258-114-3 (.686) in 35 years of playing football. GVSU has the second best winning percentage of football playing schools in the State of Michigan, behind Michigan's 847-278-36 (.746) mark...GVSU is 66-9 since the 2000 season and 59-5 since 2001 with back-to-back National Championships (2002-2003). The Lakers are 42-3 in GLIAC action since 2001 and its senior class enters the Northern Michigan contest with a 46-4 overall mark.

The Coaches: Grand Valley State•Chuck Martin (Milliken, 1990)•18-3 (2nd year) Northern Michigan•Doug Sams (Oregon State, 1978)•13-27 (4th year).

Radio: You can listen to every Laker football game live on the GVSU Radio Network. WBBL AM 1340 (Grand Rapids) is the flagship station, while WMFN AM 640 (Grand Rapids/Zeeland), WVFN AM.730 (Lansing) and WEFC FM 97.5 (Muskegon) are affiliates.

• Grand Valley State has been ranked #1 in the AFCA coaches poll for six straight weeks. Including this season, GVSU has been ranked number one for a total of 37 polls, the second-highest total behind North Dakota State's 41. GVSU has been ranked in the top 10 57 times since the 2001 season. In addition, the Lakers have been ranked in the top five 54 weeks and number one 37 weeks...Grand Valley State opened the 2005 season ranked third in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll...The Lakers opened the three previous years as the number one ranked team in the AFCA preseason poll. GVSU was ranked number one in the country by Sports Illustrated, marking the fourth straight year the Lakers have opened the year ranked number one in a preseason poll.

• Grand Valley State concluded the 2004 season ranked 9th in the final AFCA coaches poll in 2004, marking the fourth straight year GVSU finished the year ranked in the top 10 (2001-2, 2002-1, 2003-1, 2004-9). The Lakers are 30-2 when being ranked number one since 8/30/02, GVSU is 59-5 when ranked in the AFCA top 25 since 2001. GVSU has been ranked in the AFCA top 25 in 71 straight polls.

• 1,000 Yard Rushers -- Grand Valley State has three 1,000-yard career rushers in its backfield. Cullen Finnerty, Ryan Hukill and Astin Martin have each broke the 1,000-yard mark, while Brandon Langston is just 99 yards shy (901). Finnerty enters the Northwood game with 1,689 rushing yards and is 16th on the all-time list. Senior Ryan Hukill is 18th in the Laker record books with 1,353 career rushing yards. First-year Laker Astin Martin, who has toted the ball for 950 yards and three TDs in eight games, rushed for 1,221 yards at Toledo in his two years as a Rocket for a collegiate total of 2,171.

• Getting Defensive -- The Grand Valley State defense has yielded eight TDs in eight games this season, with three of those eight TDs coming in the fourth quarter (UI, HC, SVSU). The Lakers held three opponents out of the endzone for over 11 quarters to start the season.

• Third Down "INEFFICIENCY" -- The Grand Valley State defense is holding opponents to just 29 percent on third down conversions this season (36-for-126). In addition, GVSU's opponents are converting just 51.8 percent of its passes for a pass efficiency rating of 81.19 and just two passing TD.

• Total Defense - Grand Valley State has yielded 828 rushing yards and 1,180 passing yards in eight games this season. The Lakers rank 10th in the country in total defense, yielding just 251.0 yards per game.

• Rushing Defense - GVSU is yielding 103.5 rushing yards per game this season. GVSU's opponents have rushed for 828 yards and six TDs in eight games. Grand Valley State has held 22-of-its-last-36 opponents under 100 yards rushing. Laker opponents are averaging 85.5 yards rushing per game during that stretch and have rushed for just 25 TDs.

• Passing Defense - The Grand Valley State pass defense has yielded just 1,180 yards (147.5 ypg) and two passing TDs this season. Laker opponents are completing just 51.8 percent of their passes for an average 4.2 yards per pass and 8.2 yards per completion. The Lakers' 81.19 pass efficiency defense ranks third in the country.

• Balanced Attack -- GVSU is one of five teams in DII averaging over 230 yards rushing and passing...Grand Valley State has rushed the ball 366 times for 1,861 (232.6 ypg) yards and completed 118 passes for 1,841 yards (230.1 ypg)...GVSU is averaging 6.4 yards per play and 462.8 yards per game.

• Cullen Finnerty -- Finnerty has completed 102-of180 passes for 1,496 yards and 11 TDs, while rushing for 401 yards and seven TDs on 85 carries...Finnerty tallied 362 yards of total offense at Northwood (10/22), completing 15-of-26 passes for 263 yards and one TD and rushing for 99 yards and two TDs on 16 carries. His 362 yards of total offense is the fourth-best single-game total in his career...Cullen completed 11-of-19 passes for 162 yards and rushed 17 times for 32 yards and TD vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Completed 11-of-18 passes for 98 yards and one TD, while rushing for 52 yards and a TD at Hillsdale (10/8). Notched a 30 yard TD run on a fourth and one play...Completed 14-of-22 passes for 175 yards and rushed 10 times for 95 yards vs. Wayne State (10/1). Tallied 270 yards of total offense vs. the Warriors...Completed 14-of-28 passes for 208 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 52 yards on 14 carries...Completed 9-of-18 passes for 140 yards at Indianapolis (9/10)...Completed 15-of-26 passes for 247 yards and two TDs vs. Gannon (9/3)...Rushed for 71 yards and a TD on 12 carries and completed 13-of-23 passes for 203 yards and two TDs vs. Ferris State (8/27)...Finnerty moved into third in career total offense with 8,411 yards (6,722 passing/1,689 rushing).

• Senior all-purpose performer Brandon Langston has 16 plays that have gone for 15 yards or more this season...Langston is second on the squad in receptions (24) and yards (418)...Brandon notched 164 all purpose yards at Northwood (10/22). Caught three passes for 126 yards and one TD, while rushing the ball five times for 38 yards and a TD...Notched 156 all-purpose yards and two TDs vs. Wayne State (10/1). Caught a 47 yard TD pass and returned a kickoff 91 yards for a TD...Tallied 151 all purpose yards vs. Ferris State (8/27), including two plays of 38 yards or longer...Langston is third on the Lakers' all-time receptions list (137), fifth in all-purpose yards (4,016), fourth in kickoff return yards (1,157), and eighth in all-time receiving yards (1,926). Brandon is 99 rushing yards shy of 1,000 (901)...Langston is averaging 105.4 all-purpose yards per game this season.

• Astin Martin leads the squad in rushing with 950 yards and three TDs on 167 carries. Astin's 950 rushing yards is 12th on the GVSU single-season list...Martin has caught 11 passes for 105 yards... Astin is averaging 118.8 yards rushing and 131.9 all purpose yards per game...Martin has broke the 100-yard rushing mark in seven of eight games played this season..Martin rushed for 125 yards on 30 carries at Northwood (10/22) and caught one pass for 12 yards...He rushed for 101 yards 28 carries vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Rushed for a career-high 169 yards and one TD at Hillsdale (10/8)...Tallied 116 yards on 19 carries and two receptions for 19 yards vs. Ferris State (8/27)...Toted the ball 14 times for 129 yards and one TD, while catching one pass for 12 yards vs. Gannon (9/3)...Toted the ball 22 times for 136 yards and one TD and caught two passes for 18 yards at Indianapolis (9/10)...Rushed for 104 yards on 21 carries and caught two passes for 16 yards vs. Wayne State (10/1).

• Junior receiver Eric Fowler leads GVSU in receptions (41) and yards (622)... Fowler is second on the team lead in TD catches (4)...Eric has broke the 100-yard receiving mark twice this season (Gannon/Ashland)...Fowler caught eight passes for 89 yards at Northwood (10/22)...Eric caught three passes for 61 yards vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...He Hauled in six passes for 87 yards vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Caught a career-high nine passes for 104 yards and one TD at Ashland (9/17)...Caught seven passes for a career-high 152 yards vs. Gannon (9/3).

• Grand Valley State junior WR Terry Mitchell is averaging 25.3 yards per reception (15-380) and a TD every 3.9 catches...Terry caught two passes for 32 yards vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Averaged 42.3 yards on three catches (127) at Hillsdale (10/8) for his second 100-yard receiving game of the year. Caught a season-high 57 yard TD pass...Mitchell caught six passes for 122 yards and three TDs vs. Gannon (9/3)...Caught six passes for 122 yards and three TDs vs. Gannon (9/3)...Hauled in one pass for 56 yards at Indianapolis (9/10).

• Junior DL Mike McFadden ranks second on the squad in total tackles (58). McFadden, who has a team-high 11 QB sacks (-59) and 10 tackles for loss (-62), has recorded a QB sack and a tackle for loss in each of first eight games...Recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss (-12) and a 1.5 QB sacks (-12)...Tallied six total tackles, including two tackles for loss (-6) and a QB sack (-5) that resulted in a safety for the Lakers vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Notched five tackles, a QB sack (-7) and a tackle for loss at Hillsdale (10/8)...Tallied six total tackles, three QB sacks (-18) and two tackles for loss (-18) vs. Ferris State (8/27)...Notched a career-high 12 total tackles and a QB sack vs. Gannon (9/3)...Made nine stops, including two tackles for loss (-5) and a QB sack at Indianapolis (9/10)...Recorded eight total tackles, two tackles for loss (-9) and one QB sack (-8) vs. Wayne State (10/1)...McFadden ranks sixth in career QB sacks with 21.

• Preston Garris -- Toted the ball three times for 21 yards and returned one kickoff 15 yards at Hillsdale (10/8)...Returned two kickoffs 36 yards vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Rushed for 51 yards and two TDs vs. Gannon (9/3).

• Jeff Dock -- Completed 5-of-6 passes for 141 yards and one TD at Hillsdale (10/8). Averaged 29.0 yards per completion versus the Chargers...Completed 6-of-12 passes for 145 yards and two TDs vs. Gannon (9/3)...Completed 4-of-5 passes for 51 yards and a TD at Indianapolis (9/10).

• Jeremy Cochrane -- Caught two passes for 18 yards vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Caught two passes for 23 yards at Hillsdale (10/8)...Hauled in the game-winning, 45-yard TD reception in the four quarter at Ashland (9/17)...Caught one pass for 28 yards vs. Ferris State (8/27).

Mark Catlin -- Notched 82 return yards at Northwood (10/22). Returned five punts for 44 yards and two kickoffs 38 yards...Toted the ball three times for 37 yards at Hillsdale (10/8)...Returned one kickoff 13 yards and two punts 25 yards vs. Ashland (9/17)...Returned two kickoffs for 28 yards and two punts 15 yards at Indianapolis (9/10)...Rushed four times for 20 yards, caught one pass for five yards, returned three kickoffs for 126 yards, with a long of 62 yards, and two punts for 18 yards vs. Gannon (9/3)...Returned seven punts for 82 yards vs. Ferris State (8/27).

• The Laker defense has picked off 12 passes and notched 32 pass deflections this season. Sophomore CB's Brandon Carr and Bill Brechin lead the way with three picks apiece, while the killer B's (Joe Ballard and Matt Beaty) each have two picks. Samad Cain and Dan Skuta each have one INT.

• Offensive Safety -- Senior safety Joe Ballard scored the third defensive touchdown of his career at Indianapolis. Joe picked off a pass and returned it 50 yards for a TD...Ballard had previously returned a fumble (vs. UC Davis) and an interception (vs. Michigan Tech) for TDs...Joe recorded seven tackles, forced a fumble and broke up two passes vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Ballard tallied eight solo tackles at Hillsdale (10/8)...Notched five tackles, picked off a pass and recorded a pass deflection vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Recorded seven tackles, including six solo at Ashland (9/17)...Tallied a season-high nine tackles and returned an interception 50 yards for a TD at Indianapolis (9/10).

• Justin Ulberg -- Tallied six tackles and a QB sack at Northwood (10/22)...Recorded four tackles, a QB sack (-2) and a tackle for loss (-1) vs. Saginaw Valley State...Notched four tackles, one tackle for loss and forced a fumble at Hillsdale (10/8)...Recorded five tackles and one tackle for loss (1-7) at Indianapolis (9/10)...Tallied five tackles and a QB sack vs. Ferris State (8/27).

• Antione Trent -- Trent caught three passes for 44 yards vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Caught a six yard TD pass vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Caught two passes for 31 yards vs. Gannon (9/3)...Hauled in two passes for 35 yards vs. Ferris State (8/27), including a career-long 26 yarder.

• Jorge Tapia -- Recorded two tackles and recovered a fumble vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Notched five tackles vs. Gannon (9/3)...Tallied six stops, including two tackles for loss vs. Wayne State (10/1).

• Rory Steinbach -- Recorded three tackles and recovered a fumble at Northwood (10/22)...Notched four total tackles vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Tallied six tackles and one tackle for loss vs. Gannon (9/3)...Recorded three total tackles, including one tackle for loss (-7), a QB sack and a pass breakup vs. Indianapolis (9/10)...Notched six tackles, two tackles for loss (-15) and a QB sack (-13) vs. Wayne State (10/1).

• Dan Skuta -- Recorded thre tackles, including two tackles for loss (-4) vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Tallied four tackles, including a QB sack (-6) and a tackle for loss (-6) at Hillsdale (10/8)...Notched a season-high 11 total tackles vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Recorded 10 tackles, three tackles for loss (-10) and a QB sack vs. Gannon (9/3)...Recorded five tackles and picked off a pass and returned it 24 yards in first collegiate game vs. Ferris State (8/27).

• Tamayrr Salahudin -- Notched two tackles, including a QB sack (-4) and a tackle for loss (-4) at Hillsdale (10/8)...Recorded three total tackles, including two tackles for loss (-4) vs. Gannon (9/1)...Recorded six tackles and a QB sack (-3) at Ashland (9/17).

• Zach Jones -- Recorded eight total tackles vs. Gannon (9/30), including seven solo...Tallid five tackles at Indianapolis (9/10).

• Derrick Jones -- Tallied three tackles and a QB sack vs. Gannon (9/3)...Notched three tackles at Indianapolis (9/10).

• Ryan Hukill -- Ranks third on the team in rushing with 250 yards and four TDs on 41 carries...Tallied 35 rushing yards on four carries at Northwood (10/22)...Rushed seven times for 55 yards and a single-game, career-high three TDs vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15). Scored on runs of 5, 29, and 11 yards...Rushed for a season-high 81 yards and one TD on 12 carries...Toted the ball 10 times for 55 yards and caught two passes for 14 yards vs. Gannon (9/3).

• Quartez Vickerson - Notched four tackles and pass deflection at Northwood (10/22)...Recorded a career-high seven tackles, a QB sack (-7) and a tackle for loss at Hillsdale (10/8)...Notched five tackles, two tackles for loss (-6) and a QB sack vs. Wayne State (10/1). Blocked a PAT vs. the Warriors...Tallied six tackles, a QB sack (-4) and a fumble recovery at Indianapolis (9/10).

• Ryan Gaydosh -- Tallied four tackles, including a QB sack (-3) and a tackle for loss (-3) vs. Saginaw Valley State...Notched three tackles and a tackle for loss vs. Gannon (9/3)...Recorded two tackles and deflected a pair of passes at Indianpolis (9/10).

• Kirk Carruth -- Notched five total tackles at Northwood (10/22)...Recorded four total tackles, including two tackles for loss (-3) vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Tallied seven total tackles at Hillsdale (10/8)...Notched four tackles, including one tackle for loss (-1) vs. Ashland (9/17).

• Tony Carr -- Made first career start at Hillsdale (10/8)...Tallied three tackles vs. Indianapolis (9/10).

• Brandon Carr -- Tallied seven total tackles, including a tackle for loss (-1) v s. Saginaw Valley State (10/15). Also deflected a pair of pases...Recorded nine tackles (7 solo) and picked off a pass at Hillsdale (10/8)...Notched five solo tackles and picked off a pass at Ashland (9/17)...Tallied a career-high 13 tackles, including nine solo, at Indianapolis (9/10)...Recorded nine tackles and returned an interception 18 yards vs. Ferris State (8/27).

• Samad Cain -- Picked off a pass and returned it 25 yards vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15). Tallied three tackles and a recorded a pass breakup...Notched three tackles at Hillsdale (10/8)...Recorded a season-high nine tackles vs. Wayne State (10/1).

• Bill Brechin -- Picked off one pass and notched a pass deflection at Northwood (10/22)...Tallied three tackles vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Recorded four tackles and picked off a pass at Indianapolis (9/10)...Picked off a pass vs. Gannon (9/3).

• Matt Beaty -- Led the squad with eight tackles, all solo, and picked off a pass vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Recorded seven tackles, one QB sack and a tackle for loss at Hillsdale (10/8)...Recorded a career-high 12 tackles and picked off a pass vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Tallied six tackles and two tackles for loss (-5) at Ashland (9/17)...Notched six total tackles and a tackle for loss vs. Ferris State (8/27).

• Anthony Adams -- Recorded seven tackles and forced a fumble at Northwood (10/22)...Notched eight tackles and recorded a pass break-up vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15)...Named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts at Hillsdale (10/8). Recorded nine total tackles, including two tackles for loss (-13) and a QB sack (-9) versus the Chargers...Tallied a career-high 13 tackles vs. Wayne State (10/1)...Picked up eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass break up at Ashland (9/17)...Recorded six total tackles, a forced fumble, a QB hurry and a pass break up at Indianapolis (9/10)...Notched nine total tackles and two tackles for loss vs. Gannon (9/3)...Recorded seven tackles, a QB sack and a tackle for loss versus Ferris State (8/27).

• GVSU punter Matt Regnery is averaging 37.9 yards per punt and has dropped 18 inside the opponent 20 yard line...He averaged 35.4 yards on nine punts vs. Saginaw Valley State (10/15), dropping four inside the opponents 20 yard line...Regnery punted seven times for an average of 43.4 vs. Wayne State (10/2).. Regnery's first four punt went for 54, 54 and 57 yards.

• Redshirt freshman Todd Carter set a GVSU record when he kicked off seven times to Indianapolis and all seven resulted in touchbacks.

• PK Scott Greene, a 2004 All-American pick, is 10-for-16 this season and 29-for-39 in his career.