The Game:
Fourth-ranked Grand Valley State (13-1) will continue its road tour in the NCAA DII National Championship game versus the University of North Dakota in Florence, Alabama. Kickoff of set for 4:05 p.m EST at Braly Municipal Stadium. This will be the sixth straight week that GVSU is on the road. GVSU is making its third straight NCAA DII playoff appearance and eighth overall in the school's history. GVSU is 10-6 overall in 16 playoff games, including wins in 10-of-its-last-11 games and seven straight. The Lakers claimed the 2002 NCAA DII Football National Championship, while finishing runner-up in 2001. GVSU claimed its third straight NCAA Playoff road win last Saturday at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Radio:
The game will be broadcast live on the radio by WMFN AM 640 beginning at 3:00 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 second-ever meeting between Grand Valley State and North Dakota. North Dakota defeated GVSU by a 17-14 margin in the 2001 NCAA DII National Championship game.

Head Coach Brian Kelly:
Grand Valley State * Brian Kelly (Assumption, 1983) * 117-35-2/.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 (117-35-2/.762).

GVSU Playoff History:
Grand Valley State is making its eighth NCAA Division II playoff appearance. The Lakers are 10-6 all-time in the DII Playoffs and 1-1 in the NAIA playoffs. GVSU has scored 31 points or more in nine of its last 11 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
2003 - GVSU 10, at Saginaw Valley 3
2003 - GVSU 31, at TAMUK 3

* GVSU has lost just twice in its last 48 games (46-2). 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 Texas A&M-Kingsville with a 31-3 victory in NCAA DII Northeast Regional action. The Lakers have won 19 consecutive road games and 46-of-48 games overall.

* GVSU's victory over #1 Saginaw Valley State marked the fourth time in school history, and the third during Brian Kelly's tenure, that GVSU defeated a #1-ranked team. GVSU is 4-0 all-time versus teams ranked number one. 1976 - at GVSU 31, #1 N. Michigan 14 1991 - GVSU 21, at #1 North Dakota St. 17 1996 - at GVSU 36, #1 Ferris State 17 2003 - GVSU 10, at #1 Saginaw Valley 3

Kelly defeated North Dakota State, 21-17, in his second game as a head coach.

* Grand Valley State running back Michael Tennessee was named D2Football.com Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts versus Texas A&M-Kingsville. Tennessee rushed for 155 yards and two TDs on 37 carries versus TAMUK. QB Cullen Finnerty was an honorable mention pick after rushing for 117 yards and two TDs on 15 carries. The Laker defense was honored as an honorable mention pick versus TAMUK. The Laker D held Kingsville to 130 yards of total offense and out of the endzone. William Gray was also honored after recording nine tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass deflection.

* 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 best record by percentage in DII since 2000 with a 47-6 mark (.888) and GVSU's 47 wins since 2000 rank as the second most in DII football behind Valdosta State. In the last five years GVSU is 61-14 (.805). GVSU is 239-111-3 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 47-6 over its four years of playing in the program. The 47 wins (11.7 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 TAMUK to give him a total of 24 in 29 attempts this season. Hendrix, who was 16-18 in GLIAC play, has converted 34-of-39 in the last two years. David is fourth on the single-season scoring list with 129 points and sixth on the all-time scoring list with 230 points.

* Grand Valley State All-American safety Scott Mackey set the GVSU career interception record at Saginaw Valley State (Nov. 29) 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 38 for 387yards and one TD.

Lakers In NCAA Stats Ending In The Regular Season

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.

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 10 of 14 opponents this season and 21 of its last 42opponents to 100 yards rushing or less...The Lakers have yielded 908 net yards rushing (64.9 ypg) this season. Conversely, the Laker rushing game has produced 3,100 rushing yards.

* Grand Valley State has picked off 73 passes in its last 42 games...In addition, the Lakers have returned 14 of those interceptions for TDs.

* Laker running back Michael Tennessee, a 2003 Harlon Hill nominee, set the GVSU single-season rushing Satruday with 155 yards on 37 carries at TAMUK. Tennessee has rushed for 1,595 yards in 14 games this season, surpassing Reggie Spearmon's total of 1,500 yards he set last year. ...Tennessee leads the GLIAC in rushing yards (1,595) and ranks ninth in receptions (59)...Tennessee leads the Lakers in receptions (59), all-purpose yards (2,132) and rushing TDs (15), while ranking third in receiving yards (537)...Michael's 2,132 all-purpose yards ranks first in a Laker annals for a single-season, as does his 330 carries...Tennessee totaled 200 or more all-purpose yards in five of 13 games...Broke the 100-yard rushing mark seven 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 5th on the GVSU career rushing list with 2,713 yards, and 7th on the GVSU single-season scoring list with 108 points...Tennessee's 59 receptions is the fifth-best single-season total in Laker annals.

* Balanced Attack - GVSU is averaging 222.1 yards per game rushing and 229.1 yards per game passing...The Laker defense is forcing teams to pass the ball, evidenced by the GVSU rushing defense yielding just 64.9 yards per game via the ground (903 total). The Lakers are yielding just 267.5 yards of total offense per game.

* Grand Valley State is 13-0 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 has held its last two opponents to a total of just two field goals. Both SVSU and TAMUK kicked field goals on their initial drives and were then held scoreless for three-plus quarters. The Lakers held their 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). Excluding the 36 points Bentley scored, GVSU has held five of six opponents to just two TDs and three field goals (22 points).

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

* Grand Valley State (2001-03) is the third team to make three straight appearances in the NCAA DII National Championship game. North Dakota State appeared in four straight (1983-86) and North Alabama appeared in three straight (1993-95).

* GVSU's opponents have converted just 65 of 216 third down opportunities (31.0%), while the GVSU offense has converted 96 of 222 (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 211-of-334 passes for 2,615 yards and 22 TDs. In addition, Finnerty ranks second on the team in rushing yards (744) and second in rushing TDs (9)...Finnerty has set freshman records for passing yards (2,615), completions (211) and TD passes (22) and total offense (3,359). 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 55-1 pass attempts-interception ratio...Finnerty's completion percentag (63.2) 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 47 for a team-high 698 yards. Staley also leads the team in TD catches with 12...Staley has caught a TD pass in eight-of-his-last-11 games and averages a TD every 3.8 receptions.

* Senior WR Mario Locricchio ranks fourth 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.

* Balanced Crew - The GVSU receiving crew is balanced, with four wideouts having between 27 and 47 catches. Freshman Micah Staley is tied for second with 47, with sophomore Brandon Langston (47), Freshman Mark Catlin (32) and senior Mario Locricchio (27) rank fourth and fifth. Running back Michael Tennessee leads the way with 59 receptions, the fifth-best single-season total in Laker annals..

* GVSU has scored 40 or more points in 29 of its last 42 games and 50 or more points in 20 of 42 games.

* Grand Valley State is a plus 20 in turnover margin the last seven 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 62 pass deflections on the year, including a team-high 13 by CB Derrick Phillips...GVSU has recorded 43 QB sacks (-294) and 112 tackles for loss (-502). 20 different players have recorded a tackle for loss.

* The Grand Valley State defense has forced its 12 opponents into 68 drives that have consisted of three plays and a punt. Conversely, the Lakers have had 29 such drives that have resulted in three plays and a punt.

* Big Plays - The GVSU offense has produced 68 offensive plays (49 pass/29 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 39.2 yards per punt on the season, with a long of 70 yards. Regnery has dropped 16 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 239th win in school history vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (239-111-3/.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.