The crowd was dressed in black, and over 15,000 fans were delirious. It wasn’t a pass or a big run by the Grand Valley State University football team that set them off into a roaring cheer, either.

It was a blocked punt, one that saw safety Erik Thompson sprint past the would-be blockers to bat down a ball that would be returned by receiver Israel Woolfork five yards for the touchdown.

That play made it 23-0 in favor of the Lakers over visiting Western Oregon University in last year’s season opener.

Ask GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell now, though, and he’ll tell you that was last year’s news.
“Special teams were a huge part of that game,” said Mitchell, whose team won 44-20 last season.

“That score was not indicative of the balance that there was between those two squads on both sides of the ball. I don’t think that last year’s results have any difference anyways, they especially don’t in this scenario, so when it comes to the game, that’s the focus.”

That focus is going to come, in large part, on defense. The Lakers will debut a couple new faces on that side of the ball, but there will also be some familiar ones playing in new positions.

“Of the 11 guys that started the Western Oregon game, only five are back, and two of those five are not in the same position,” Mitchell said. “It’s a different dynamic on the defensive side of the ball, we’ve got some more faces on that side due to the fact that we’ve moved guys … I think you’re going to see more than just 11 guys play.”

Last season’s top tackler, senior Jarrod Cox, highlights that group after moving from safety down to outside linebacker. The Lakers’ revamped front seven will have to deal with Western Oregon’s leading rusher, senior Kenneth Haynes, who ran for 71 yards in last season’s game.

“When you know the defense, you get moved down, and it’s a lot easier if you know your stuff, so Cox getting moved down to nickel, I don’t think it should be a big surprise to him,” said Hill who moved from the secondary to linebacker last season. “He’s been doing a pretty good job. I’m just there to compete with the other linebackers to get my assignments down and execute it – we should be ready for this Saturday.”

Junior quarterback Heath Parling will be back – this time with a year of experience under his belt – to direct the offense against a defense that returns its top safety in senior Bryce Peila and two members of its defensive line and linebacking core.

“I was a little nervous and that obviously showed because, just watching the game film from last year, it’s kind of frustrating how poorly I played,” said Parling, who went 15-for-27 with 205 yards and three touchdowns. “I think (in-game snaps) helped the maturation process, and that kind of makes everyone in our offense feel a little more at ease and comfortable with me calling the plays and trying to direct the offense.”

Experience from Parling and his receiving core, which will feature a more extensive look from players like junior Brandan Green and sophomore Keontre Miskel, due in some part to questions surrounding the status of junior running back Hersey Jackson.

Out for the majority of camp while rehabbing a shoulder injury, Jackson will dress and travel with the team to Monmouth, Ore. Jackson wasn’t listed on this week’s depth chart, and if he does sit, the next two players in line will be sophomores Mike Ratay and Chris Robinson.

Kirk Spencer, a redshirt freshman Mitchell compared favorably to former GVSU tailback PT Gates, may also factor in on Saturday due to his speed and ability to make plays in space out of the backfield.

While the team will travel over 2,200 miles – its largest road trip since heading to South Dakota to play Augustana College in the 2010 NCAA Division II Playoffs – Parling said the distance and travel is going to be a factor, but won’t be any sort of excuse come Saturday.

“Up to the point we leave the parking lot, our focus needs to be on the preparation for the game. Our mindset is, when it’s time to go, it’s time to go, we’ll load up the bus and go,” Mitchell said. “This is going to be a good test for this squad … we’re looking forward to it, I’m excited to get back out there with this team.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. EDT and can be seen on WGVU, and the game can be heard on ESPN 96.1 FM.
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