Match-up Between #1 Grand Valley State and #23 Ashland Highlights Week Nine Action

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Grand Valley State still remains in the top spot in this week's AFCA D-II Coaches Poll after defeating Findlay, 34-10. The GLIAC also has strong representation in the Super Regional No. 3 rankings, with Grand Valley also on top of that poll. Ashland and Michigan Tech remain in third and fourth place, respectively, with Wayne State entering the poll in the tenth position this week.

This week's slate of games features top-ranked Grand Valley hosting No. 23 Ashland in a 7 p.m. tilt. Hillsdale visits Wayne State, Northwood plays at Ferris State, and Saginaw Valley State hosts Michigan Tech, with all of those games being played at Noon. Findlay pays a visit to Northern Michigan for a 1 p.m. contest and Tiffin hosts Indianapolis at 1:30 p.m. to round-out this weekend's action.

Five Super Regional No. 3 teams appear in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25: Grand Valley State is still at #1 in the poll. Minnesota-Duluth sits in a tie for sixth with California (Pa.). Central Washington is in the tenth position, while Chadron State (Neb.) is in a tie at No. 13 with Pittsburg State (Kan.). Ashland makes a return to the rankings this week in the 23rd position.

GLIAC Football By The Numbers...(4, 2, 3)

There are four GLIAC football teams listed in the top-10 of the third NCAA Division II Super Regional Three Rankings, which were listed Oct. 20. Grand Valley State (7-0) remains atop the rankings, with Ashland University (6-2) and Michigan Technological University (6-2) still at positions three and four, respectively. Wayne State University (6-2) moved into the rankings, sitting at number 10 this week.

The GLIAC has two quarterbacks who are ranked in the top-five nationally in Division II passing efficiency. Grand Valley State University junior Brad Iciek sits at number three with a rating of 192.36, while Ashland University junior Billy Cundiff sits in the fifth spot with a rating of 179.35. These two are also the quarterbacks of the only two nationally ranked GLIAC football teams, with GVSU sitting in the top spot and Ashland being ranked 23rd (AFCA).

There are three Grand Valley State University football players listed in the top-20 in NCAA Division II history for tackles-for-loss. Anthony Adams (2004-07) sits in eigth place all-time with 57.5, Mike McFadden (2003-06) is in tenth place with 55.5 stops for loss, and current Laker senior DE Dan Skuta ranks16th with 51.5 tackles-for-loss.

-----GLIAC Football Game Previews (Oct. 25, 2008)-----

#23 Ashland (6-2, 6-1 GLIAC)
at #1 Grand Valley State (7-0, 7-0 GLIAC)
October 25 -- 7 pm
Allendale, Mich. / Lubbers Stadium (8,550)

The Series: The Lakers lead the series, 13-2. The teams have not played since the 2006 season when GVSU won at home, 30-24.

Ashland: AU brings a six-game winning streak into this week's game. Ashland is nationally ranked for the first time since the second week of the season. The Eagles are ranked 23rd by the AFCA and 19th by d2football.com. AU is third in the regional rankings this week...junior wide receiver Nick Bellanco caught nine passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns last week. Bellanco's TD receptions covered 14 and 36 yards. Bellanco is second in the conference in receiving yards per game (96.9) and fifth in receptions per game (5.8)...junior quarterback Billy Cundiff leads the GLIAC in passing yards per game (308.5) and total offense (333.6 ypg.). He has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 17 consecutive games. Cundiff is fourth in the nation in passing yards (2468), fifth in pass efficiency (179.4), sixth in passing yards per game and seventh in total offense.

Grand Valley State: The Grand Valley State vs. (#23) Ashland matchup will mark the fourth time this season that the Lakers have played a ranked opponent. Earlier this season GVSU played three straight ranked opponents (#25 SVSU, #24 Ferris State and #23 Michigan Tech)...Grand Valley State leads the nation in scoring defense (8.3 ppg) and punt returns (21.2), ranks third in pass efficiency offense (191.56), fifth in total defense (238.3), sixth in net punting (37.2), and seventh in scoring offense (43.0). GVSU ranks in the top 12 of 12 different NCAA DII statistical categories...Senior defensive lineman Dan Skuta leads GVSU in QB sacks with eight (-52) and ranks second in tackles for loss with 10 (-56). Skuta moved into second on the all-time GVSU sacks list with 30 and needs just one sack to tie Mike McFadden for the top spot on the all-time list.

Hillsdale (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC)
at Wayne State (6-2,5-2 GLIAC)
October 25 -- Noon
Detroit, Mich. / Adams Field (6,000)

The Series: Hillsdale leads the all-time series, 36-12-1. The Chargers defeated Wayne State last year in Hillsdale, 35-21.

Hillsdale: The Chargers will make the short trip to Wayne State University this Saturday. Wayne State is coming off a shutout win over Ferris State University while the Chargers look to move up in the GLIAC standings aft er improving to 4-3 last week against Northern Michigan...In the last 12 meetings in Detroit the Chargers are 9-3 and have outscored the Warriors 363-174, with the Chargers posting shutouts in 1996 and during their NAIA Championship season in 1985. In last year's meeting the Chargers faced a 1-point deficit starting the fourth quarter but managed to score 15 unanswered points to finish the Warriors. WR Nick Gurica had 13 catches for 146 yards and three TD's that day.

Wayne State: After recording four takeaways and holding Ferris State scoreless last Saturday, the Warrior defense is eighth nationally in both scoring defense (13.63 points allowed per game) and turnover margin (+1.63 per game) ... with six sacks at FSU, WSU improved to 17th in the country with 3.25 sacks per game ... sophomore cornerback Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) is in the top 25 nationally with four interceptions in eight games ...senior David Chudzinski (Belleville, Mich.) needs six points to become the fifth person in WSU history with 200 points ... senior Daryl Graham (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) needs 84 rushing yards to move into the GLIAC top 10 all-time ... junior Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) needs 61 rushing yards to move into the top spot all-time at WSU ... Bell needs 115 all-purpose yards to pass Scott Schulte (Hillsdale, 1990-93) for third on the GLIAC all-time list ... a win on Saturday would give the Warriors a 5-0 home mark for the first time since 1974, Dick Lowry's first year at the helm of the Tartar program.

Michigan Tech (6-2, 5-2 GLIAC)
at Saginaw Valley State (4-3, 4-3 GLIAC)
October 25 -- Noon
University Center, Mich. / Wickes Stadium (6,300)

The Series: The Cardinals hold a 14-7 lead in the series, including a 33-16 victory in University Center, Mich., a year ago.

Michigan Tech: Sophomore Phil Milbrath (Norway, Mich.) moved over 1,000 yards on the season with 69 in last week's 31-28 win over Indianapolis. The 5-9, 200-pound tailback has accumulated 1,048 rushing yards in 2008 - good for first in the GLIAC and eighth in the nation at 131.0 per game. Tech has had a 1,000-yard rusher six times in the last eight years (Lee Marana did it three times and Joe Johnson twice) . Junior Michael Macpherson (Dearborn, Mich./Edsel Ford) scored his first career touchdown last Saturday. The TD proved to be the game-winner and was also the 6-0, 240-pound fullback's first career reception...Junior David Carmody (Newberry, Mich.) recorded 13 tackles and an interception vs. Indianapolis last Saturday to run his season totals to 74 tackles and three picks.

Saginaw Valley State: Saginaw Valley will look to build on their second half of play from last weekend's game at Ashland. Senior Brandon Emeott (Caro, Mich.) set a new career high for yards against the Eagles with 182 yards rushing, most of which he gained during the Cardinals' huge second half. The Cardinals rank seventh in the GLIAC in total offense (357.0), fourth in passing (227.3), tenth in rushing (129.7) and fifth in scoring (25.6) through seven games this season. The Cardinal defense ranks third overall in the GLIAC in total defense (315.4), 13th nationally and second overall in the GLIAC in passing defense (157.7) and sixth in rushing defense (157.7). Junior linebacker John Jacobs currently ranks second nationally and first in the GLIAC in tackles (13.3), while teammate Mike LeVand is 19th in the GLIAC with 7.4 tackles per contest. Cardinal place kicker Jeremy Burr ranks 58th nationally and is tied for second in the GLIAC with .83 field goals per contest.

Northwood (2-5, 2-5 GLIAC)
at Ferris State (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC)
October 25 -- Noon
Big Rapids, Mich. / Top Taggart Field (6,200)

The Series: Ferris State has an 18-16 advantage in the series. The Bulldogs beat the Timberwolves last year, 48-41, in Big Rapids.

Northwood: With their victories over the Timberwolves the last two seasons, Ferris State has taken a 18-16 lead in the all-time series. The Timberwolves had claimed two in a row and three of the last four meetings prior to the Bulldog's two game streak. It has been a series of runs - Northwood won 11 of the first 13 games before FSU won 10 of 11. The Timberwolves have gone 1-6 in their last seven trips to Big Rapids, withe the lone victory coming in 2005...The Northwood University football team earned a come-from-behind 31-28 victory over Tiffin Saturday afternoon (October 18)...For the game, NU finished with a 457-294 advantage in total yards. The Timberwolves finished with a 298-53 edge in rushing yards.

Ferris State: The Bulldogs can post their fifth winning season in the last six years by topping Northwood in Saturday's contest...The Bulldogs currently have allowed the third-fewest points in the GLIAC this season. FSU has given up 143 points in seven league games, ranking behind only Grand Valley State (60) and Wayne State (99)...With three regular-season games remaining this season, the Bulldogs have given up the third-fewest rushing yards in a year in school history. The Bulldogs have allowed only 1,036 rushing yards in eight games (129.5 ypg.). FSU gave up a school-low 895 yards on the ground in its unbeaten 1968 campaign...Ferris senior DT Jake Visser (Coopersville) moved into 10th place on the school's career tackles chart with a team-high 11 stops versus Wayne State, which gives him 360 tackles in his career. He also moved into sole possession of fourth place on the FSU all-time sack leaders list with a single sack against the Warriors.

Findlay (2-6, 1-6 GLIAC)
at Northern Michigan (1-6, 1-6 GLIAC)
October 25 -- 1 pm
Marquette, Mich. / Superior Dome (8,000)

The Series: The Wildcats hold an 8-4 edge in the series. The teams last met in 2005, with Findlay pulling out a 40-37 double-overtime victory.

Findlay:With 16 field goals in his career, sophomore kicker Cameron Stevens needs only three more to break the school record for field goals in a career. The record of 18 is currently shared by Steve Trout (1969-72) and Greg Phillip (1976-79). On the season, Stevens has drilled 8-of-12 field goal attempts. His eight made field goals ranks second in the GLIAC and 19th nationally.Junior wide receiver Mike Chambers currently has 52 receptions which ranks second in the GLIAC... His reception total is also the 17th best mark in the nation while his 74.8 receiving yards per game ranks seventh in the GLIAC. Chambers is currently on pace to eclipse the school record for receptions in a season which is currently held by Derek Hutchinson who made 60 during the 1986 campaign.

Northern Michigan: Last week the NMU offense picked it up a bit by grinding out 288 yards of offense. The ‘Cats have gone three weeks in a row with under 300 yards of total offense an outing. For the season, NMU is averaging 341.3 yards a game (135.7 on the ground and 205.6 in the air). Mark Bossuah is leading the ‘Cats on the ground with 660 yards on 124 carries. He has scored five of the eight rushing touchdowns... Carter Kopach has established himself as the quarterback for the ‘cats. He has thrown for 771 yards on 152-85-6 with seven touchdown throws. Zach Nichols has hauled in a team-high 37 catches for 359 yards...Alex Grignon has 5.5 tackles-for-loss while Scott Avery has three sacks to lead the team. Defensively the ‘Cats are giving up 395.4 yards a game (182.7 rushing and 212.7 passing). Nathan Yelk leads the team in total tackles with 51 (35 solo and 16 assisted). As a unit the ‘Cats have six interceptions, 38 tackles-for-loss and 15 sacks on the season. 

Indianapolis (3-5, 2-5 GLIAC)
at Tiffin (1-7, 1-6 GLIAC)
October 25 -- 1:30 pm
Tiffin, Ohio / Frost-Kalnow Stadium (4,500)

The Series: This is the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Indianapolis: UIndy head coach Joe Polizzi is 2-0 against new head coaches in the GLIAC this season and faces new-league mentor David Walkosky on Saturday ...Quarterback Lance Lasker (Reynoldsburgh, Ohio) accounted for all four touchdowns in last Saturday's loss at Michigan Tech ... He also added a career-high 93 yards rushing ... Running back Craig Jenkins (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) is making a run to become just the third UIndy player to register multiple 1,000-yard rushing campaigns. The school's single-season rushing record holder (1,136) needs just 76 yards over the final three games to reach 1,000. Jenkins is 16th in the DII national rankings in rush yards per game (115.9) ... Collin Coffer (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) picked-off his first career pass, giving the UIndy defense eight for the season, most since the 2005 squad registered 13 interceptions.

Tiffin: Matt Root leads the GLIAC in many offensive categories for his passing attack. Root leads the GLIAC in passing attempts (376) and pass completions (230). Root ranks 3rd in the GLIAC in total offensive touchdowns with 19 and ranks 2nd in total offensive yards (2164)...Junior Receiver Greg Raspberry ranks 7th in the GLIAC in receptions per game with 5.25 and ranks 6th in the GLIAC in total receptions with 42 on the year to date. Greg Raspberry also ranks 8th in the GLIAC in receiving yards with 458...Root's other receiver, senior Dyshaun Edwards, ranks 1st in the GLIAC and 3rd nationally in receptions per game with 7.62. Dyshaun ranks 1st in the GLIAC and 16th in the nation in receiving yards per game with 97...The Dragon Defense is led by senior linebacker Parris Burt, who ranks 7th in the nation and 3rd in the GLIAC in tackles per game with 11.38 and ranks 3rd in the GLIAC in total tackles with 91 total tackles. Wyatt Thames ranks 7th in the GLIAC in sacks per game with .64.