Dec. 3, 2003

Allendale, Mich. - The Game: Fourth-ranked Grand Valley State (12-1) will hit the road for the fifth consecutive week this Saturday (Dec. 6) for an NCAA DII Football playoff game at #3 Texas A&M-Kingsville (11-1) Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (EST). GVSU is making its third straight NCAA DII playoff appearance and eighth overall in the school's history. GVSU is 9-6 overall in 15 playoff games, including wins in nine-of-its-last-10 games and six straight. The Lakers claimed the 2002 NCAA DII Football National Championship, while finishing runner-up in 2001. GVSU claimed its second straight NCAA Playoff road win last Saturday at Saginaw Valley State. The victory over SVSU also marked the second time in school history that GVSU defeated a #1-ranked team. GVSU defeated Ferris State in 1996 when the Bulldogs were ranked #1.

Radio: The game will be broadcast live on the radio by WMFN AM 640 beginning at 12:40 pm. Dick Nelson will do the play-by-play, while former Laker Dan McLean handles the color. The Brian Kelly Radio Show can be heard on WMFN AM 640 every Friday night at 6 p.m., with a replay on Saturday one hour prior to kickoff.

The Series: This will be the first-ever meeting between Grand Valley State and Texas A&M-Kingsville. GVSU is 0-3 in versus foes from Texas and 0-2 in games played in the State of Texas. GVSU lost two playoff games to East Texas State (1990 and 1991) and dropped a regular season matchup at Southwest Texas State in 1996.

The Coaches: Grand Valley State * Brian Kelly (Assumption, 1983) * 116-35-2/.762 (13th year). Kelly is 103-22-2 (.819) in GLIAC action...Kelly is third among active coaches in DII with 10 plus years experience in terms of winning percentage (116-35-2/.762).

Texas A&M-Kingsville * Richard Cundiff (Lincoln Memorial); 34-13 (5th season)

GVSU Playoff History: Grand Valley State is making its eighth NCAA Division II playoff appearance. The Lakers are 9-6 all-time in the DII Playoffs and 1-1 in the NAIA playoffs. GVSU has scored 31 points or more in eight of its last 10 playoff games, including five games of 42 points or more. GVSU captured its first-ever road victory in playoff action at Bentley (65-36), followed by a 10-3 victory at Saginaw Valley State last Saturday. The 65 points scored by the Lakers at Bentley set a DII single-game playoff record.

NAIA Division I Playoff 1978 - at GVSU 24, at UW-LaCrosse 14; at Elon (NC) 14, GVSU 7 NCAA DII Playoffs 1989 - Indiana (Pa.) 34, at GVSU 24 1990 - East Texas State 20, at GVSU 14 1991 - at East Texas State 36, GVSU 15 1994 - at Indiana (Pa.) 35, GVSU 27 1998 - at Slippery Rock 37, GVSU 14 2001 - at GVSU 42, Bloomsburg 14 2001 - at GVSU 33, Saginaw Valley 30 2001 - at GVSU 34, Catawba 16 2001 - North Dakota 17, GVSU 14 (National Championship Game) 2002 - at GVSU 63, C.W. Post 13 2002 - at GVSU 62, Indiana (Pa.) 21 2002 - at GVSU 44, N. Colorado 7 2002 - GVSU 31, Valdosta State 24 (National Championship Game) 2003 - GVSU 65, at Bentley 36 2004 - GVSU 10, at Bentley 3

* GVSU has lost just twice in its last 47 games (45-2). The common denominator in both losses were turnovers. The Lakers turned the ball over four times in a 17-14 loss to North Dakota in the 2001 National Championship game and then turned it over six times in its 34-20 loss to Saginaw Valley State earlier this season.

* Grand Valley State continued its winning ways on the road last Saturday at Saginaw Valley State with a 10-3 victory in NCAA DII Northeast Regional action. The Lakers have won 18 consecutive road games and 45-of-47 games overall.

* Grand Valley State defensive backs Scott Mackey and Lucius Hawkins were named D2Football.com Co-Defensive Players of the Week for their performance at Saginaw Valley State. In addition, DB's DeJuane Boone and Dion Charity were named honorable mention.

* Grand Valley State is one of the most successful programs in college football over the last 12 years. In the 1990's, GVSU was 80-31-2 (.717). GVSU has the fourth best record by percentage in DII since 2000 with a 46-6 mark (.888) and GVSU's 46 wins since 2000 rank as the second most in DII football. In the last five years GVSU is 60-14 (.805). GVSU is 238-111-3 in 32 years of playing football.

* Grand Valley State concluded the regular season ranked fourth in the AFCA Coaches poll. Prior to Lakers' loss to Saginaw Valley State, GVSU had been ranked number one in the AFCA rankings for 22 straight weeks. The Lakers' 22-week stint atop the rankings was the second-longest tenure ever on top of DII football.

* The Grand Valley State senior class is 46-6 over its four years of playing in the program. The 46 wins (11.5 per year) are the most for any four-year period in Laker annals. In addition, GVSU is 34-4 in GLIAC action the last four years.

* Did You Know? Grand Valley State is one of two teams (Pitt St.) ranked in the top 7 in both total offense (7th/458.7) and total defense (6th/277.6). In addition, GVSU is one of two teams ranked in the top 14 in DII in rushing offense (14th/216.2) and rushing defense (5th/66.3).

* Grand Valley State has been ranked in the AFCA top 25 for 40 consecutive weeks. The Lakers entered the top 25 on Sept. 2, 2001 at number 25 and have been ranked ever since. GVSU held the top spot for 22 consecutive weeks.

* Grand Valley State place kicker David Hendrix continued to build on his GVSU single-season record for field goals with one at Saginaw Valley State to give him a total of 23 in 28 attempts this season. Hendrix, who was 16-18 in GLIAC play, has converted 33-of-38 in the last two years. David is sixth on the single-season scoring list with 122 points and seventh on the all-time scoring list with 223 points.

* Grand Valley State All-American safety Scott Mackey set the GVSU career interception record Saturday (Nov. 29) at Saginaw Valley State with his 17th career pick. Mackey, who passed Paul Siembida's 16 career interceptions, also has recorded seven career TDs (2 punt returns/4 interception returns/one fumble return). Mackey leads the team this season with six picks. and has scored a TD in three straight games. Scott also leads the team in punt returns this season with 35 for 354 yards and one TD.

Lakers In NCAA Stats Team Total Off. 8th 466.5 Rushing Off. 15th 227.3 Pass Off. 36th 239.5 Total Def 8th 257.4 Scoring Off. 9th 39.5 Scoring Def. 6th 14.1 Rush Def. 4th 75.5 Pass Efic. Def. 17th 97.2 TO Margin 15th +10 GVSU is the only team in the country to rank in the top 17 of the above categories, excluding pass offense which ranks 36th.v

Individual

Cullen Finnerty Total Offense 26th 256.9 Pass Effic. 12th 152.8

David Hendrix FG Per Game 3rd 1.7 (19) Scoring 21st 9.2

Michael Tennessee Scoring 33st 8.2 Rushing 16th 117.7 All-Purpose 14th 161.1

Brandon Langston KO Returns 27th 26.1

* The Laker defense has held 9 of 13 opponents this season and 20 of its last 41 opponents to 100 yards rushing or less...The Lakers have yielded 862 net yards rushing (66.0 ypg) this season. Conversely, the Laker rushing game has produced 2,811 rushing yards.

* Grand Valley State has picked off 70 passes in its last 41 games...In addition, the Lakers have returned 14 of those interceptions for TDs.

* Laker running back Michael Tennessee, a 2003 Harlon Hill nominee, is second on the single-season GVSU rushing list with 1,440 yards. Reggie Spearmon set the record last season with 1,500 yards...Tennessee leads the GLIAC in rushing yards (1,440) and ranks ninth in receptions (54)...Tennessee leads the Lakers in receptions (54), all-purpose yards (1,960) and rushing TDs (13), while ranking third in receiving yards (520)...Michael's 1,960 all-purpose yards ranks first in a Laker annals for a single-season...Tennessee totaled 200 or more all-purpose yards in five of 13 games...Broke the 100-yard rushing mark six times in the last 10 games...Caught six or more passes five times...Rushed for 123 yards on 25 carries and caught seven passes for 105 yards vs. Michigan Tech...Michael is 7th on the GVSU career rushing list with 2,558 yards, 9th on the GVSU single-season scoring list with 96 points... * Balanced Attack - GVSU is averaging 216.2 yards per game rushing and 242.5 yards per game passing...The Laker defense is forcing teams to pass the ball, evidenced by the GVSU rushing defense yielding just 66.0 yards per game via the ground (862 total). The Lakers are yielding just 277.6 yards of total offense per game.

* Grand Valley State is 12-0 when rushing the ball 41 times or more or attempting 41 or fewer passes. GVSU rushed the ball just 34 times, while attempting 52 passes in its only loss to Saginaw Valley State.

* Stingy D - GVSU held its last four regular season opponents to 7.5 points and 230.2 yards of total offense per game (921). GVSU yielded 316 yards rushing (79.0 pg) and 605 yards passing (151.2.0 pg). In the last four games GVSU yielded 30 total points (4 TDs-1 FG).

* Grand Valley State held three opponents without a TD this season. UC Davis (2) and Saginaw Valley State (1) were held to field goals, while Findlay was held scoreless...GVSU defeated UC Davis and Saginaw Valley State without an offensive TD.

* GVSU's opponents have converted just 64 of 205 third down opportunities (31.0%), while the GVSU offense has converted 89 of 204 (44.0%) third down opportunities.

* QB Cullen Finnerty, who was named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week twice this season in the GLIAC, has completed 203-of-317 passes for 2,562 yards and 22 TDs. In addition, Finnerty ranks second on the team in rushing yards (627) and second in rushing TDs (7)...Finnerty has set freshman records for passing yards (2,561), completions (203) and TD passes (22) and total offense (3,188). Finnerty set a GLIAC and GVSU single-game record versus Indianapolis when he completed .900 percent (18-of-20) passes...Finnerty has a 22-6 TD Passes-Interceptions ratio on the year and has a 58-1 pass attempts-interception ratio...Finnerty's completion percentag (64.0) is the second-best, single-season mark in GVSU annals.

* All-GLIAC - 14 Lakers earned All-GLIAC plaudits, including eight first-teamers. In addition, Scott Mackey was named the GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year for the second straight year and Keyonta Marshall was named the Defensive Lineman of the Year.

All-GLIAC First-Team RB Michael Tennessee OL Josh Bourke OL Mike Wilford DL Keyonta Marshall LB William Gray DB Scott Mackey DB Derrick Phillips PK David Hendrix

All-GLIAC Second Team OL Scott Martin

Honorable Mention DB Dion Charity, LB Dustin Cole, DB Lucius Hawkins, WR Brandon Langston, DL Matt Yoches

* Sophomore QB Jeff Dock turned in a strong performance when he started for the injured Cullen Finnerty. Dock completed 18-27 passes for 200 yards and five TDs, while rushing for 22 yards and another TD. Dock was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. Dock completed 7-of-8 passes for 54 yards and a TD.

* Freshman WR Micah Staley ranks second on the team in receptions with 46 for a team-high 687 yards. Staley also leads the team in TD catches with 12...Staley has caught a TD pass in eight-of-his-last-10 games and averages a TD every 3.8 receptions.

* Senior WR Mario Locricchio ranks third among the receivers in yards (421), while ranking fifth in catches (27). Locricchio tallied a career-high 10 receptions for 139 and one TD vs. Saginaw Valley State. Locricchio's 10 catches was the second-highest single-game total in Laker annals...Mario returned a blocked punt 34 yards for a TD at Bentley last Saturday.

* Balanced Crew - The GVSU receiving crew is balanced, with four wideouts having between 27 and 46 catches. Freshman Micah Staley is tied for second with 46, with sophomore Brandon Langston (46), Freshman Mark Catlin (31) and senior Mario Locricchio (27) rank fourth and fifth. Running back Michael Tennessee leads the way with 54 receptions.

* GVSU has scored 40 or more points in 29 of its last 41 games and 50 or more points in 20 of 41 games.

* Grand Valley State is a plus 16 in turnover margin the last six games.

* The Laker defense set a GLIAC record for interception return average versus Ferris State. GVSU returned three interceptions for 148 yards and a 49.3 yards per return average. The previous record of 39.4 ypr was held by Indianapolis versus Mercyhurst in 2000....GVSU also tied a GLIAC record with two interception returns for TDs.

* The GVSU defense has 59 pass deflections on the year, including a team-high 13 by CB Derrick Phillips...GVSU has recorded 39 QB sacks (-276) and 101 tackles for loss (-450). 20 different players have recorded a tackle for loss.

* The Grand Valley State defense has forced its 12 opponents into 65 drives that have consisted of three plays and a punt. Conversely, the Lakers have had 25 such drives that have resulted in three plays and a punt.

* Big Plays - The GVSU offense has produced 65 offensive plays (49 pass/26 rush) that have gone for 20 yards or more, including 11 plays of 50 yards or more. GVSU tallied a season-high 10 offensive plays of 20 yards or more (5 rush-5 pass).

* Punter Matt Regnery is averaging 39.3 yards per punt on the season, with a long of 70 yards. Regnery has dropped 15 inside the opponent 20.

* DB Dion Charity and LB Dustin Cole each returned an interception 46 yards for a TD versus Ferris State...FS Marvis Bryant returned an interception 56 yards with under a minute in the first half to set up David Hendrix's career-long 48 yard field goal. The Lakers have 244 interception return yards on 15 picks.

* Grand Valley State set a GLIAC single-game and a West Michigan sporting event attendance record versus Saginaw Valley State. The game drew 12,832 fans, eclipsing the previous sporting event record was 12,696 at the Floyd Mayweather fight on 2/12/99. The previous stadium record of 12,627 versus Ferris State on sept. 13. In addition, GVSU set a GLIAC single-season record for attendance in five home games. The Lakers have drew 52,225 for an average figure of 10,445. The following are the top six events in the greater Grand Rapids area.

13,200 - Neil Diamond (10/10/96) VA 12,832 - GVSU-SVSU (10/18/03) 12,696 - Floyd Mayweather bout (2/12/99) VA 12,657 - Creed (11/11/02) VA 12,634 - Elton John (3/9/99) VA 12,627 - GVSU-FSU (9/13/03)

* Grand Valley State picked up its 238th win in school history vs. Saginaw Valley State (238-111-3/.677). The Lakers' .677 winning percentage is the fourth-best in Division II football among schools that have a minimum of 20 seasons of competition since 1937. GVSU is behind the likes West Chester, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Indiana (Pa.), but ahead of powers Pittsburg State, Carson-Newman, North Dakota State and North Dakota.