The no. 7 ranked Grand Valley State University football team improved their record to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the GLIAC after a thrilling 62-13 victory over Wayne State University (2-8) this past Saturday, Nov. 6 at Tom Adams Field. The 62 points scored was the second-highest total ever scored by GVSU in the series and the most scored by GVSU at Wayne State. 

The Lakers got off to a fast start on their first offensive drive. Sophomore quarterback Cade Peterson found a hole in the defense and ran for 18 yards for a touchdown to give GVSU an early 7-0 lead. With 9:12 remaining in the first, WSU looked to tie the game as running back Kendall Williams found the endzone after a 12-yard run, evening the score at 7-7. 

Just before the quarter ended, Warrior’s kicker Griffin Milovanski converted a 26-yard field goal after a nine play, 55-yard drive giving Wayne State a 10-7 lead after the opening 15 minutes of play. GVSU came into the second looking to take to lead back. With 9:59 left, Peterson ran six yards for his second touchdown of the night and putting his team back up 14-10.

After Wayne State muffed a punt on the GVSU 49-yard line, the Lakers were in great position to score again. Sophomore running back Tariq Reid ran for 25-yards into the endzone, extending the Laker’s lead to 10. 

With 2:05 left in the first half, GVSU found itself crossing the goal-line once more after junior running back Aryuan Cain-Veasey rushed for 37-yards capping a three-play, 39-yard drive. As time was running out, the Lakers had enough on the clock to score once again. Peterson found an open junior tight end Jayk Slager for a five-yard touchdown pass with just 56 seconds remaining to extend the GVSU lead to 24. 

Wayne State wasn’t done just yet for the half as Milovanski made a 33-yard field goal to reduce the deficit to 21. 

“I think we did a great job, as I told the team, we got a lot of competitive people, coaches and players on that side of the ball,” said coach Matt Mitchell. “We weren’t happy with our performance and production last week, so they dug in, and I thought the offense did a good job. Working with our coaching staff we want to stay aggressive, we got down in there multiple times on fourth down and did a pretty good job as we were turnover-free in the game.”

Coming into the third quarter, both teams had different approaches. With 10:46 left, Peterson connected with junior receiver Jacob Miller for a 27-yard touchdown pass putting the Lakers on top 41-13. 20 seconds remained on the clock when Peterson threw his third touchdown of the contest after he found redshirt freshman receiver Kyle Nott down the field for a six-yard touchdown pass completion. 

To begin the fourth, Wayne State fumbled the ball and Laker sophomore Christian McCarroll took it 36-yards down the field for another score extending their lead to 42. With 8:21 remaining in the game, sophomore running back Johnt’e Crawford found the endzone after a one-yard run, scoring the last points of the night and a GVSU victory 62-13. 

Peterson played a game to remember as he threw 15 for 24 and 218 yards and three touchdowns, as well as two rushing touchdowns. 

“Early on they ran the ball pretty effectively,” Mitchell said. “We made some adjustments, tackled better and got off blocks better in the second half. We shut them out (in the second half) and was able to put pressure on the quarterback.” 

The GVSU football team wraps up their regular season on Saturday, Nov. 13 against Davenport University for the Crosstown Showdown and the last home game of the season.