Oct. 7, 2006

Stats

ALLENDALE, Mich. - A big second quarter by No. 1 Grand Valley (6-0, 5-0 GLIAC) proved too much for Mercyhurst (1-5, 1-5 GLIAC) to overcome, as the `Hurst fell 49-17 at Lubbers Stadium.

Astin Martin ran for three touchdowns, and Jaquon Morrison rushed for 113 yards on just four carries and a pair of scores for Grand Valley.

A 39-yard field goal by Phil Scanlon at the end of the first quarter made the score 14-3 in favor of Grand Valley. GVSU had struck quickly at the start of the game, with a 43-yard touchdown from Cullen Finnerty to Eric Fowler on the second play from scrimmage.

Grand Valley later made it 14-0 and was driving again before an interception by Mercyhurst's Bryan Boyce. The Lakers took the ball and drove down the field to set up Scanlon's field goal.

The second quarter was all Grand Valley, however. GVSU scored four touchdowns in the next 15 minutes and gained 277 yards of total offense to take a 42-3 lead into the half. Martin ran for a pair of touchdowns in the period and Morrison rushed for a 66-yard score on his first touch of the game.

SIn the second half, Mercyhurst outscored the defending national champions 14-7. Redshirt freshman Joe Laffey and freshman running backs Ben Jennings and Demond McDonald came on in relief for the `Hurst and performed well in extended action.

Both Jennings and McDonald rushed for scores in the second half. Morrison had a 51-yard run as Grand Valley opened the scoring in the third period and jumped ahead 49-3.

Mercyhurst got its first touchdown of the game later in the period. Laffey hit Schuler for gains of nine and 29 yards on back-to-back plays to move the ball deep into GVSU territory. Jennings then finished the drive with a one-yard run.

McDonald had the only score of the fourth period. He rushed four times for 21 yards on a 45-yard drive set up by a 19-yard punt return by David Lough. Late in the period, Mercyhurst thwarted a scoring drive by GVSU when Tim Herbener came up with his first career interception, picking off Grand Valley back up Brad Iceik at the goal line.

Jennings finished with 36 yards on seven carries and McDonald had 24 on five rushes. Laffey finished 7-of-10 for 85 yards. Schuler was the leading receiver with four catches for 51 yards. 10 players caught passes from either Laffey or starter Mitch Phillis in the game.

Defensively, Bryan Boyce and Jimmy Kokrak led all players with nine tackles apiece. Boyce also had an interception and half a sack.

Fowler had 101 yards on three catches for two scores. Ryan Bass caught four passes for 85 yards.

Derek Stansbury had seven stops to lead Grand Valley.

For the game, Grand Valley held a 568-222 edge in total yards.

Mercyhurst returns home next weekend to host Findlay on October 14 at 1:30 PM at Tullio Field for Parents Weekend.