Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University (GVSU), the two-time defending GLIAC Champions, will commence its 53rd football season against Central State. The game is scheduled for Thursday, September 5 at Lubbers Stadium with a kickoff time of 7:00 p.m. Central State previously lost to Morehead State, an FCS team, with a score of 17-10.

GVSU holds the record as the all-time winningest program in Division II history, boasting a record of 442-151-3 (.744). The Lakers have consistently been ranked in the top 10 of national preseason polls since 2002, achieving this ranking in 20 out of 23 polls. This includes being ranked in the top five on 17 occasions and in the top three on 13 occasions.

Historically, GVSU has a strong performance in season openers with a record of 33-19 and has won 19 out of their last 22 opening games. Over its 52-year history, GVSU has recorded ten or more wins in a season on nineteen occasions, seventeen of which occurred since 2001. In terms of attendance, GVSU led the nation during the previous season with total attendance figures reaching 100,882 and an average per game attendance of 12,610 over eight home dates. The university has maintained this leading position for twelve consecutive years.

The Lakers have claimed four national championships (2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006) and made six NCAA championship appearances (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2009).

For the upcoming season opener against Central State, GVSU returns ten starters on offense and nine on defense along with three special teams players. The offensive line features senior All-GLIAC honorees Gabe Brown and Kyler Blake-Jones alongside junior Brett Weaver and sophomores Jaylin Caldwell, Joshua Martin and Jeff Burton.

Senior tight end Gavin Cossou (23 receptions for296 yards and three touchdowns) earned All-GLIAC honors last year. Fellow senior tight end Drew Peterson also received All-GLIAC recognition in previous seasons. Returning receivers include seniors Cody Tierney (35 receptions for669 yards and six touchdowns), Darrell Johnson (33 receptions for412 yards and three touchdowns), and Kyle Nott (24 receptions for342 yards and three touchdowns). Nott is also noted as the leading returning rusher from last season.

Johnson pairs with sophomore Kellen Reed to form one of the top punt-kickoff return tandems nationally; Johnson averaged14.8 yards per punt return while Reed averaged31.2 yards per kickoff return including two returned for touchdowns.Sophomore running backs Syone Usma-Harperand Khalil Eichelberger combined for587 rushing yardsand four touchdowns last season.Senior quarterback Avery Moore completed15-of-28 passesfor193yardsand threetouchdownswhile rushingfor317yardsand seven touchdowns.

On defense,GVSU returns key starters at every level.Defensive end Niles King(28 tackles)and defensive tackle Jack Gilchrist(21 tackles)areAll-GLIAC performers.The defensive line will rotate ten playersincluding seniors Charlie Nylander,Jake Urban,and junior Thomas Jolly.A deep linebacker unit is led by Junior All-American Anthony Cardamone(72 tackles13 TFL).In addition,seniors Damonte McCurdyJack GriceJimmy Downs,and Jake Archbold bolster this position.Senior All-GLIAC safety Ian Kennelly(58 tackles)is poised fora big yearalongside seniors Kobe Hayward(41 tackles)and junior Luke McLean(38 tackles)in thesecondary.Junior cornerbacks Devin Pringleand Terez ReidareAll-GLIAChonoreeswhile senior Grant Hartandsophomore Jason Hardy arekey performers.Junior punter Trace Hrgich earnedAll-GLIAChonorsandsenior long snapper David Kreske isa three-year starter.Senior Kollin Kralappredshirt freshman Mathew Bacikwill handlekicking duties.