The Grand Valley State defense scored as many points as the Findlay offense. The Grand Valley State offense manhandled the Findlay defense. It was all Lakers, all night.

No. 12 GVSU outmatched Findlay in every aspect, winning 52-7 on homecoming night at Lubbers Stadium.

“Good team win but you have to give our defense a lot of credit,” said GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell. “That was an offense coming into the game that was extremely prolific. I thought our front got some pressure and we took a quarterback that had been very effective in this conference and really rattled him with our pressure.”

The Oilers (4-4, 3-4 GLIAC) came into the evening averaging nearly 40 points per game. The GVSU defense didn’t care.

The Lakers (7-1, 6-1 GLIAC) kept Findlay off the scoreboard for the better part of three quarters and locked down one of the best passing offenses in Division II in a hallmark performance. GVSU’s pass rush, led by David Talley and Matt Judon, gave Findlay quarterback Rhys Gervais little time to throw and a few face-fulls of turf.

“We were just seeing what we’re seeing on film,” said junior defensive back Marquez Gollman. “We were just playing a lot of zone and staying deep and making sure nothing went behind us and everything that they did was underneath, which we wanted them to do.”

On the first possession of the second half, GVSU’s offense stalled at its own 40-yard line and the Lakers lined up to punt. Jamie Potts took the snap and, rather than punting, dashed around the end and up the sidelines, romping into the end zone virtually untouched for a 60-yard touchdown.

“I saw the fake punt was there in the first half and I did not want to let Findlay get any momentum so we called it,” Mitchell said. “Credit to Jamie Potts — he made it work, he made that play work.”

GVSU quarterback Bart Williams continued his upward trend, completing 22-of-36 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns. Williams was working with a depleted receiving corps, as top receiver Brandon Bean was out with an ankle injury.

“The coaching staff is just putting us in good positions week-to-week,” Bart Williams said. “I feel confident with the preparation all through the week and when I take the snap on Saturday nights I just feel good back there with what we have.”

On GVSU’s first possession, Bart Williams hit freshman Nick Dodson with a 32-yard touchdown pass. Later in the quarter, Bart connected with Matt Williams on a 24-yard jump ball for a score.

In the second quarter, Bart Williams found a wide open Potts for a 35-yard score, and, minutes later, Kirk Spencer strolled into the end zone from two yards out to put GVSU up 28-0.

In the fourth quarter, Potts pulled in a 25-yard pass, moving him into second place on the GVSU all-time receiving touchdowns list with 32. Potts trails only David Kircus.

Soon after, Alton Voss hit Gervais and forced a fumble. Dylan Carroll scooped the ball up and walked into the end zone to expand GVSU’s lead to 49-7.

Placekicker Joel Schipper hit a 20-yard field goal to cap the scoring at 52.

Spencer had 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. Potts pulled in six catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Laker receivers. Talley recorded 11 tackles and two sacks.

Findlay’s seven points marks its season low. The Oilers’ previous low was 28 in a game at Ashland. GVSU racked up 648 total yards while holding Findlay to 250. Gervais threw for 170 yards after averaging over 300 all season.

GVSU will return to action on Oct. 31 with a road match at No. 8 Ashland.