The No. 3 Grand Valley State University football team (2-1) made the trip west to Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg, Kansas to take on the No. 16 Pittsburg State University (1-2).
Fresh off an exciting Week 2 victory and a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Offensive Player of the Week performance from redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Schuster, the Lakers entered this matchup looking to prove they are a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, that is not how the game played out Saturday, with the Lakers falling to the Gorillas, 17-14.
The first quarter was a defensive stalemate, as each team’s punters were busy. Senior punter Trace Hrgich was dialed in for the Lakers, as he put two of his punts inside the 10-yard line in the first half.
The scoring opened early in the second quarter, when the Gorillas knocked a field goal through the uprights, taking a 3-0 lead. Things started to go downhill for the Lakers after they turned the ball over with 4:27 left in the half. The Lakers’ defense managed to get the Gorillas to 4th down, but a penalty gave Pitt State’s offense new life, as they scored on the next play.
Down 10-0, the Lakers needed a spark in the second half.
This came late in the third quarter, as the Lakers’ defense found themselves with their backs pushed against the end zone. On second-and-goal, junior defensive lineman Jamari Buddin forced a fumble, which was returned 95 yards for a touchdown by senior linebacker Riley Simpson.
The next offensive drive for Pittsburg State was a four-and-out. By the time the third quarter came to a close, GVSU’s offense was methodically making its way into Gorilla territory, further establishing their momentum going into the fourth quarter.
Offense picked up right where they left off. The Lakers reestablished the run game, which had been absent since the first quarter. With 13 minutes left in the contest, sophomore running back Paschal Jolman broke through tackles, making his way into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown that gave the Lakers their first lead of the day.
Head coach Scott Wooster commented on the identity of the run game.
“We had flashes of what we want to be, using multiple backs, tight ends and quarterbacks to keep defense honest. The O-line, tight ends, backs, plus the added dimension of our quarterbacks gives us versatility.”
On the next drive, the Pitt State offense responded by marching down the field and scoring a touchdown of their own.
Setting the scene for a theatrical final 10 minutes of the game, the Lakers’ defense stood tall after a punt. With five minutes remaining, another Laker turnover gave the Gorillas the ball on the GVSU 39-yard line. The Pitt State offense managed to drain the clock with the help of a few costly GVSU penalties.
“That’s the football game right there, four first downs given up on sound, not movement,” said Wooster. “That’s extremely correctable, and it’s on me for letting it slide in camp. We’ll get that fixed quickly.”
Falling to 2-1 on the season, the Lakers next take the field at home in an exhibition game against Detroit Christian Community College (1-2) Sunday, Sept. 28. The Lakers will officially be back in action at home against Davenport University (1-1) Saturday, Oct. 4.
