The No. 2 ranked Grand Valley State University football team (5-0) kicked off conference play, traveling to nearby Davenport University (3-2) on Saturday, Oct. 5. The Lakers once again relied on their powerful rushing offense and run defense to secure them the win 24-7.

Heading into the matchup, the Lakers’ rush offense ranked third in the country, while also boasting the second-ranked rush defense.

Head coach Scott Wooster, a former collegiate offensive lineman himself, expressed the importance of controlling the run game on either side of the ball.

“Dominating the line of scrimmage is very important to us,” Wooster said. “We are seeing the right to rush the passer on defense, and we are creating a balance on offense with a powerful run game that opens up passing.”

Sophomore lineman Jaylin Caldwell added that maintaining dominance “breaks the spirit” of the opposing team.

“If you set up the run, it builds the foundation of who will dominate the game,” Caldwell said. “Our offensive line is working hard, and that makes everyone else work hard. The big guys up front push each other to be the best.”

Davenport opened up the game with a run of 32 yards, but following a sack by senior defensive tackle Jack Gilchrist and a couple of incomplete passes, the Panthers would turn the ball over on downs. The Lakers responded by handing the ball off to sophomore running back Khalil Eichelberger, who pushed the Lakers into the red zone with a 52-yard run. However, the Panther’s defense held Grand Valley short of the goal line, resulting in a 22-yard field goal by senior kicker Kollin Kralapp.

GVSU’s defense would hold up the following drive with an endzone interception by junior cornerback Terez Reid.

In all five games the Lakers have played this season, they have scored on every opening drive, while not allowing any first quarter points. GVSU has outscored opponents in the first quarter 52-0 through five games.

A swing pass to redshirt freshman Kenneth Jones for 25 yards would set up the Lakers in the red zone to start the second quarter. Jones would immediately follow that up with a 27-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Lakers up 10-0.

After a three-and-out by Davenport, senior quarterback Avery Moore would find junior wide receiver Jordon Johnson deep for 45 yards. Shortly after, Moore was able to connect with Eichelberger in the flats for a quick 5-yard touchdown pass.

Davenport went on to string together an offensive drive, marching 66 yards down the field and scoring points of their own. The Lakers responded with an 89-yard drive, which ended similarly to their previous drive with a touchdown pass in the flats from Moore to Eichelberger.

Leading 24-7 at the half, GVSU received the kickoff heading into the third quarter. Although two more quarters of football were set to be played, neither team was able to find their way into the endzone. Repeated punts and turnover on downs persisted throughout the remaining minutes of the game.

With little to be shown score-wise in the second half, the team’s offense was still productive.

“The first half was dominant offensively, and we can’t have much of a better start,” said Wooster. “We threw better today and created a balance with the run game. Although the score doesn’t show it, (we) were able to move the football in the second half. We just failed to reach the endzone. We gave up some yards in the first half, but our second-half adjustments on defense made us dominate. We are still searching for that complete football game. We have had these moments of dominance, but nothing competes. We are a long way away from what we can be.”

Although the Lakers allowed more rushing yards than in this season’s past games, the defense was still confident in their ability to shut down opposing rushers.

“Stopping the run is what we pride ourselves on,” said Gilchrist. “We didn’t execute early in the game, but we came out with some adjustments and stopped the run well that second half. We will continue to practice hard and do what we know how to do.”

The Lakers will return home to Lubbers Stadium for their military appreciation game, and face off against Northern Michigan University (0-5) on Saturday, Oct. 12.