Up by four points with less than a minute to play in the game, Michigan Technological University was driving deep into Grand Valley State University territory, eying a second consecutive win over the Lakers.

But after three incomplete passes, GVSU’s (6-3, 5-3 GLIAC) pair of Zachs, Breen and Galloway, stuffed Michigan Tech (5-4, 4-4 GLIAC) quarterback Tyler Scarlett’s fourth-down scramble two yards short of a conversion, securing the Lakers’ 24-20 homecoming win.

Led in the second half by a defense that allowed just 114 yards of total offense — 36 prior to Michigan Tech’s final drive — GVSU used its defense and an offense that out-scored the Huskies 14-0 in the second half to seal a comeback victory.

“Our team is progressing,” said GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell. “This was a tough ball club, and I knew that going in. You can’t always get these wins where you’re piling up tons of yardage and stuff. Sometimes you’ve got to grind some wins out, and I felt like our team grinded out a win in the second half.”

The team’s play in the second half contrasted with its first-half performance.

The GVSU defense, which struggled against the Michigan Tech’s passing game in the first half, allowed receiver Steve Worthy to gain 149 yards on seven catches, a distance equivalent to the entire GVSU offense.

“We’ve been through all kinds of situations this whole season, so it wasn’t anything different,” said senior defensive lineman Andre Thomas. “We just knew we had to pin our ears back and get after them. We knew we could stop them … It feels good and it lets us know that we can come out and get the victory anytime.”

Down by 10 in the third quarter, the Lakers drove deep into Michigan Tech territory and, on a third-and-10 run by tailback Hersey Jackson, appeared to have rumbled for a touchdown that would have cut the Huskies’ lead to 20-17.

The referees ruled the play one yard short, and Jackson was stuffed on the ensuing fourth-down attempt.

Despite the setback, Jackson continued his grinding effort, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries against the GLIAC’s top total defense.

“Anyone that’s been around Grand Valley football these last couple years knows how hard that kid runs,” said sophomore quarterback Heath Parling. “He’s a man, there’s no doubt about it, and he runs hard with his head down and bites down on his mouth piece — I wouldn’t wanna tackle him if I was over there.”

Led by Parling’s 232 yards and two touchdowns, the offense put together a strong showing in the second half, rebounding from a first half that saw the unit out-gained by 76 yards.

GVSU responded after the break, and to assist Parling’s cause, receiver Charles Johnson hauled in six passes for 117 yards and a diving 35-yard touchdown in the second half.

“I think it was a gut-check win,” Mitchell said. “You’re down 10 to a team that was getting the ball to start the third quarter. There’s lots of different ways to get wins, but these guys have been saying, ‘We’re all we got,’ and that was something that was definitely being said in the locker room at half. I think that speaks to the character we have.”

Along with the offense rebounding in the second half, the play of the GVSU secondary assisted in the comeback.

After being beaten twice by Worthy on deep passes during the first half, corner back Reggie Williams redeemed himself in the fourth quarter by picking off an underthrown Scarlett pass.

The interception led to the GVSU touchdown that put them ahead for good.

“I thought our secondary, after getting challenged at halftime, stepped up in the second half,” Mitchell said. “To be honest with you, that’s the reason we probably shut them out in the second half — our secondary elevated the play, and we made some changes to get some different guys in different positions.”

GVSU will return to practice in preparation for next week’s road game at Northwood University on Saturday at noon.

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