Rivalry or not, the Grand Valley State University football team took care of business Saturday against Ferris State University in a 57-10 victory at Lubbers’ Stadium.

The Lakers (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC) recorded four sacks and scored 38 points in the first half to take out their GLIAC rivals from Big Rapids.

Led by the play of sophomore quarterback Heath Parling, the Lakers’ offense moved the ball early and often against a Ferris State (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC) defense that ranked near the bottom of the GLIAC in passing defense.

Parling threw a career-high six touchdowns, two of which went to junior receiver Charles Johnson who finished with six receptions for 144 yards. Senior receiver Greg Gay also had his best game of the season, catching three passes for 34 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Parling’s six touchdown passes were a career high, and the most by a GVSU quarterback since Cullen Finnerty threw six against Northern Michigan University in 2006.

Playing without junior running back Norman Shuford, out for the season with a torn ACL, the GVSU running game continued to roll on Saturday.

Sophomore running back Hersey Jackson carried 11 times for 104 yards and a touchdown, while freshman Chris Robinson carried nine times for 65 yards in the first game of his career.

The Lakers’ defense suffocated the GLIAC’s leading offense throughout the game, holding Ferris State to only 369 yards and 10 points in the game. GVSU also out-gained Ferris by 262 yards while running eight less plays.

Senior linebacker Brad Howard led the Lakers with nine tackles and a sack, while sophomore Charles Hill also had a strong effort, recording eight tackles to go with a fumble recovery.

Coming off their 11th straight victory in the series, GVSU will retain possession of the Archer-Bone Trophy and prepare for a homecoming match up with Michigan Technological University next week.

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