Forcing turnovers will usually win you a ball game, but tuning it over yourself will lead to problems, and the Grand Valley State University football team found that out the hard way, turning it over six times in tonight’s 26-20 loss against the University of Findlay.

Three interceptions by sophomore quarterback Heath Parling, and three accompanying fumbles, stymied the GVSU offense throughout, and gave Findlay plenty of chances on offense.

Those turnovers led to only seven Findlay points – which came on an Isaiah Ballard 39-yard return to start the second half – but the GVSU defense was key in keeping the Lakers afloat in the first half.

Andre Thomas and the defensive line played well in passing situations, but struggled against the run. GVSU’s defense took a big hit late in the second quarter when senior defensive lineman Danny Richard left the game with an apparent knee injury – he did not return.

The Findlay backfield of quarterback Clay Belton and running back Monterea Williams gave the Lakers fits throughout the game. Their execution of the option choice – a play in the shotgun where the quarterback either hands to the running back or keeps it himself – gashed the GVSU defense throughout.

Belton finished the game with 210 total yards, 60 on the ground, while Williams put together a 109-yard game to go with a pair of touchdowns.

On the other side of the field, GVSU’s offense – which had been its strong-suit in recent weeks – struggled. Along with Parling, the passing game struggled, as the sophomore only threw for 140 yards. Running back Hersey Jackson put together his best effort of the season, rushing for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Despite their success in the first half, it was the defense that was unable to put together one last stop of the Findlay offense in the fourth quarter. Findlay, in a third-and-three with a little over a minute left, got a first down on a four-yard run by Williams, sealing a third-consecutive loss for the Lakers.

GVSU returns to the practice field looking for answers before taking on Tiffin University next week at Lubbers Stadium.

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