News Summary
In a nail-biting contest at Lubbers Stadium, GVSU football coach Scott Wooster’s decision to go for a two-point conversion failed, costing the Lakers a close game against Saginaw Valley State University. Quarterback Andrew Schuster threw for three touchdowns, including a crucial late score, but the team’s rushing struggles and a controversial safety late in the game influenced the result. The defeat leaves GVSU with a 4-2 record this season as they aim to improve performances in upcoming matches.
Allendale, Michigan – Grand Valley State University (GVSU) football coach Scott Wooster’s decision to attempt a two-point conversion after a late touchdown backfired as the Lakers fell to Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) 20-19 on Saturday afternoon at Lubbers Stadium. The game attracted a crowd of 9,814 fans, who witnessed a nail-biting finish.
Quarterback Andrew Schuster led the Lakers, completing 19 of 29 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with receiver Lynn Wyche-El for a touchdown that brought GVSU within one point of SVSU, setting the stage for Wooster’s controversial call to go for two points. However, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the Lakers’ defeat.
Saginaw Valley improved to a 4-3 record, while GVSU’s disappointing result left them at 4-2 this season. The game featured a series of unusual plays and decisions that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Notably, GVSU’s punter Evan Sundermann attempted a fake punt earlier in the game, which led to an injury and turnover on downs.
Following the failed fake punt, SVSU quarterback Mason McKenzie capitalized by scoring a touchdown on a 41-yard run, extending the SVSU lead to 20-13. The Cardinals initially scored their first 13 points through three field goals and two successful two-point conversions, displaying strong offensive strategy.
The Lakers’ scoring included a spectacular 58-yard touchdown pass from Schuster to Paschal Jolman, as well as a 25-yard touchdown to Kellen Reed. GVSU led 13-11 at halftime, which included a 49-yard field goal by Lenderink. However, a controversial safety in the fourth quarter tied the game at 13-13 and influenced critical later decisions.
Despite the loss, GVSU’s defense showed resilience, managing four sacks and generating interceptions from players Jason Hardy and Davon Pearson. Additionally, Anthony Cardamone recovered a fumble after a hit on McKenzie, helping to demonstrate strong defensive play despite the outcome.
The Lakers struggled with their rushing attack, totaling only 38 yards on 32 attempts, a statistic that both Schuster and Wooster acknowledged must improve. Wooster expressed frustration regarding officiating calls that were deemed non-challengeable, which contributed to the game’s controversy.
The loss against Saginaw Valley marked a critical point in GVSU’s season, as they aim to strengthen their strategy and performance going forward. The Lakers have shown flashes of potential in their past matches, but the inconsistency in both offensive and defensive plays has left fans and players eager for improvement.
Looking ahead, GVSU will need to address their weaknesses, especially in the running game, to maintain competitiveness in upcoming matches. As the team reflects on this narrow defeat, they will seek to regroup and focus on securing victories in the remaining games of the season.
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Additional Resources
- FloFootball: Davenport vs GVSU Football Deep Dive
- Wikipedia: Grand Valley State Lakers football
- MLive: GVSU Football Overcomes Early Deficit
- Google Search: GVSU football
- FloFootball: GVSU Dominates Lincoln PA
- Google Scholar: GVSU football
- MLive: GVSU Upset by Pittsburg State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Holland Sentinel: GVSU Football vs Black Hills State
- Google News: Grand Valley State University football

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