GVFootball.com

That feeling of sheer relief when the final play is downed and the clock is running out after a nerve-wracking, hard-fought, back-and-forth slugfest is not one Laker faithful have had to feel often at the end of a game. Over the past decade, we’ve become accustomed to knowing many a game is in the bag by the third quarter, or sooner. Rarely do we get treated to a true challenge by a top-ten opponent on our own field, on national television. Many of us this morning can point out short-comings we spotted on our team last night. Many of us, at the same time, can point out a few really bright things that give us hope for the coming season. In the end, we escaped with the win.

The rain ended just in time and sun began to peek out as Lubbers filled up. West Texas A&M had come calling on opening night in front of a crowd of 13,128. One notable game-sponsor handed out boxes of mac and cheese to the students before the game. Sure enough, a mac and cheese throwing frenzy ensued before kickoff in the student section.

GVSU got to work early in the first quarter. Jay Jandasek nailed a field goal to cap the Laker’s first drive, followed by a Justin Sherrod 3-yard TD run. The boys in black were up 10-0 and a sense of complacency fell on Lubbers Stadium. Before anyone knew what had hit them, the Buffs had scored 17 un-answered points and were looking to add to the lead late in the first half. Freshman Luther Ware stepped in front of a pass and gave the Lakers momentum, which they turned into a field goal at the end of the first half to cut the WTAM lead to 17-13. One thing was clear, Matt Mitchell’s squad was having some trouble inside the red-zone after a couple stalled drives which failed to capitalize.

The second half started promising with a deep GVSU drive into WTAM territory. Similarly to the first half of the game, the drive stalled and resulted in a field goal to pull the Lakers to within one, 17-16. The visitors responded quickly, once again pitting the host Lakers in a hole, 24-16. You could sense the crowd begin to wonder whether tonight was really GVSU’s night or not. What the team needed was momentum, and a big defensive stop. On the ensuing WTAM drive the Laker defense came up huge, stuffing the Buffs on a fourth down play. The other spark the team and crowd needed was a big offense play to get the wheels moving again.

As the Laker offense took over, senior QB Kyle McMahon dropped back on the first play of the drive and spotted WR Jovone Augustus deep. McMahon hurled a pass which Augustus brought down, fought off defenders and sprinted clear into the endzone for a 70-yard, one-play score. The crowd was back in it once again and despite a missed PAT, GVSU was back within two, 24-22. Two more quick Grand Valley touchdowns and a stout defensive effort gave the Lakers a 34-24 lead with just under eight minutes to play in the 4th quarter. The Buffaloes were relentless and with just under two minutes to play in the 4th, WTAM scored to bring the game within three, 34-31. One began to get the feeling that this was a game in which the last team to have the ball would win. The tense air thickened and as WTAM lined up for an on-side kick, you could sense the fan’s collective mindset turn to an almost hushed foreboding. With thousands of crossed fingers in the stands, the Lakers victoriously recovered the on-side kick to seal what was one of the most exciting games I have witnessed at Lubbers in my eight years following the team.

The eighth-ranked team in the country came into our building, gave us their best shot, and we had just enough to come away on top. There are many brightspots, as well as many areas of improvement, none of which I will get into today. I can tell this team has a ways to go to gel, but it fought and pulled together last night when their youth might have otherwise gotten the better of them.

The Lakers host a key GLIAC matchup next week Saturday, Sept. 11 against the top-25 ranked Hillsdale Chargers. Look for a preview later in the week!

Go Lakers!