Grand Valley State University’s football team hosted the Wisconsin La-Crosse Eagles on Sept. 21 for a packed Laker Family Weekend crowd. The game was closer than expected, but GVSU managed to take the win 20-13, extending their winning streak yet again.
Starting quarterback Avery Moore was out this game, due to an injury he obtained late in last week’s road game against Colorado State University Pueblo. Going into the game, the plan was to give the first half to Ike Udengwu, the transfer from Eastern Michigan, and the second half to sophomore Vincenzo Meschi.
After stopping UWL on their opening drive, the Lakers wasted no time getting on the board. Senior Kyle Nott paved the way to the red zone for GVSU with the two biggest plays of the drive: a 16-yard run and 21-yard reception. Then, running back Khalil Eichelberg capped off the drive with an effortless one yard rush to take the lead 7-0, ending the first quarter.
The Eagles opened up the scoring early in the second quarter. After a rapid five play drive, the Lakers were knotted up 7-7. GVSU then took possession of the football for a long, methodical drive. The 12 play, six minute march down the field resulted in a field goal by kicker Matthew Bacik. The Lakers took the lead 10-7 with just over five minutes in the first half.
After the defense forced UWL into a three and out, they once again triumphed down the field on the shoulders of redshirt freshman Kenneth Jones. Jones rushed the ball six straight times, and made it seven in a row when he barreled into the end zone. This closed out the game’s first half and took the teams into halftime, the Lakers leading 17-7.
GVSU would receive the second half kick and look to extend their lead, this time behind Meschi calling the shots as quarterback. The Lakers were able to move the ball and get into scoring range twice under Meschi, however both times he would throw an interception.
“We cannot turn the ball over there, we got to reserve the right to kick,” said head coach Scott Wooster. “Matt Bacik, he’s got a huge leg and he can get that thing through.”
Undengwu came back in, seemingly winning the battle, but had to leave the game early after cramping. This meant that sophomore quarterback Alex Thole would get a chance during the fourth quarter, in a very close and competitive battle.
The entire first half of the fourth quarter was all defense, both sides making huge plays and getting the opposing offenses off the field.
GVSU was eventually able to put a solid drive together that would conclude with Bacik knocking a field goal through the uprights. This gave the Lakers a bit more of a cushion and a 10 point lead. However, the Eagles were not done showing some fight. They would get down the field in a flash, but after the drive was derailed by a huge sack by Laker defensive linemen Khamani Potts, UWL would settle for three.
With the clock sitting at four minutes in a 20-13 game, the Lakers weren’t able to get anything going on offense. After Thole was sacked, GVSU would have to punt and give the Eagles a chance to tie the game. The defense was more than awake for the challenge, and for every UWL drop back, it seemed like there was a blue jersey in the backfield.
The Lakers held and got a gritty win, with the final score being 20-13.
Wooster described that early season games such as these benefit players later on.
“Conditioning and game shape wise, we’re going to be in these football games,” said Wooster. “Getting a game like this, and making plays when it matters, (it’ll) pay big dividends down the road.”
For the next game, the Lakers will take on West Florida at home for a “black out” themed game on Sept. 28.
