News Summary
Grand Valley State University opened its football season with a resounding 45-9 victory over Lincoln University. Redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Schuster made a remarkable debut, throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns. The Lakers demonstrated a balanced offense with impressive contributions from the rushing and receiving teams. GVSU’s defense also showcased their strength by limiting Lincoln to just 17 rushing yards and securing three interceptions. With this performance, GVSU aims to solidify their position in the GLIAC and improve their national ranking.
ALLENDALE, MICHIGAN – Grand Valley State University (GVSU) opened its football season with a commanding victory, defeating Lincoln University 45-9 on Saturday afternoon. This win highlights GVSU’s ambitions of becoming a dominant force in both the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and the national rankings.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Schuster made an outstanding debut, showcasing his skills by throwing for 251 yards and three touchdowns, completing 17 out of 21 attempts. Backup quarterback Brady Drogosh also contributed, adding a rushing touchdown to the Lakers’ impressive performance.
The GVSU offense was balanced, securing a total of three touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. Rushing touchdowns were scored by Syone Usma-Harper, Paschal Jolman, and Brady Drogosh, while Kellen Reed, Donovan Johnson, and Lynn Wyche-El were on the receiving end of Schuster’s touchdown passes.
The first half saw the Lakers set a strong pace, leading 21-9 at halftime. Schuster began the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Wyche-El, followed by a 45-yard touchdown connection with Reed shortly after, putting GVSU up 14-0. Despite Lincoln’s efforts, they managed only one touchdown in the first half and a field goal in the second period, failing to score at all in the second half.
Usma-Harper stood out in the rushing game, leading GVSU with 87 rushing yards on just seven carries. The Lakers’ defense played a pivotal role in maintaining their lead, limiting Lincoln University to a mere 17 rushing yards on 24 carries.
Junior linebacker Jimmy Downs was particularly effective on defense, recording a team-high eight tackles along with a sack. GVSU’s defense intercepted Lincoln quarterback Hamas Duren three times, demonstrating their dominance. In a crucial moment late in the third quarter, linebacker Ronald Jackson executed a key sack, while safety Matthew Nickens intercepted a pass in the end zone, thwarting Lincoln’s scoring opportunity.
With this decisive win, GVSU aims to continue building momentum as they look to solidify their position in the GLIAC and improve their standing nationally. The performance of Schuster and the overall strategy implemented by the coaching staff suggests strong potential for the Lakers in the upcoming season.
This game marked Schuster’s first career start, and he expressed confidence in his abilities, crediting his preparation with the coaching staff as a key factor. Coach Scott Wooster also shared optimism regarding the team’s capabilities, noting some areas where improvements are necessary as they move forward in the season.
The Lakers’ success in minimizing Lincoln’s offensive opportunities through effective special teams and strategy has set a positive tone for the season. GVSU enters the 2023 NCAA Division II season as the No. 3 ranked team, showing promise for a competitive year ahead.
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Additional Resources
- FloFootball: GVSU Dominates Lincoln
- Holland Sentinel: GVSU vs Black Hills State
- Wood TV: GVSU Prepares for Home Opener
- FloFootball: How to Watch GVSU vs Wayne State
- Holland Sentinel: GVSU Football Poised for Strong Season
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
