Player Profiles - of College Football Games
Player Profiles - of College Football Games Player Profiles - of College Football Games
54 Grand Valley State and the city of Florence, Ala. have become synonymous with one another when talking about football. The home of the NCAA DII Football Championship has entertained Grand Valley State and its football program five of the last six years for the National Championship game. The 2006 Laker football team continued the trend and etched its name into the record books with the 2006 NCAA DII National Championship and just the second undefeated 15-0 campaign in DII football history. The title was the Lakers’ fourth in the last five years and marked the second time in the last five years that Grand Valley State went back-toback (2002-03 and 2005-06). In addition, Grand Valley State concluded the 2006 season with a 28-game winning streak, the longest active winning streak in college football and the sixth longest winning streak in Division II football history. Grand Valley State, fresh from the 2005 NCAA DII National Championship, opened the year with a 13- 0 road victory at Findlay in less than impressive fashion. GVSU scored early, but struggled offensively for much of the contest. The Laker defense recorded its first shutout since a 34-0 victory over Wayne State in 2004. Grand Valley State returned to the friendly confines for the 2006 home opener versus Ashland. The Eagles dominated the opening quarter, only to have the Lakers come back and forge into a 16-10 halftime lead. Ashland came back and eventually tied the game at 24-24 early in the fourth quarter, but Cullen Finnerty bailed the Lakers out with a 45yard broken play touchdown pass to Eric Fowler midway through the fourth quarter for a 30-24 victory. The tie with Ashland in the fourth quarter would be the last time Grand Valley State would trail past the first quarter until the National Championship game. A 31-6 road win at St. Joseph’s moved the Lakers to 3-0. Next was a Thursday night contest televised nationally on CSTV. The Lakers started strong and went on to claim a 41-20 win over Michigan Tech. Upstart Wayne State hosted the Lakers in week five looking for an upset. However, GVSU raced out to a 19-0 first quarter lead and never looked back en route to a 36-13 win. Grand Valley State claimed a 49-17 home win over Mercyhurst and then a 33-7 win at Indianapolis. 2007 Laker Football Media Guide 2006 Season Review Up next was a matchup of unbeatens when the top-ranked Lakers hosted #9 Northwood. The Timberwolves score on their first possession, but that was it as Grand Valley State ran off 45 straight points to claim a 45-7 win. The Lakers continued to roll the final three weeks of the regular season, defeating Ferris State 28-6, Saginaw Valley State 49-35 and Northern Michigan 47-17. After a first-round bye in the playoffs, GVSU dominated three straight playoff opponents. The Lakers claimed a 35-17 win over #16 South Dakota, and a 30-20 win over #8 North Dakota. The Lakers scored 27 first quarter points to take a commanding lead over the Fighting Sioux. GVSU then claimed a convincing 49-30 semifinal victory over Delta State before an ESPN2 national prime-time audience on a Sunday night. The Lakers concluded their historic run through the 2006 playoffs with second straight meeting versus NW Missouri State in the title game. In a tight battle throughout, Laker QB Cullen Finnerty scored the game winner early in the fourth quarter on a fouryard run and the Laker defense preserved the 17-14 win. Finnerty ran for 117 yards and passed for 225, while cornerback Bill Brechin picked off two passes and recovered a fumble for the defense. GVSU became the first team in DII playoff history to claim wins over two North Central Conference schools (South Dakota and North Dakota) in regional action, a win over a Gulf South Conference team (Delta State) in the semifinals followed by a victory over Northwest Missouri State (17-14) of the MIAA in the title game. 2006 News and Notes... • For the second straight year and the fifth time in the last six years, Grand Valley State appeared in the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Grand Valley State concluded the 2006 season with college football’s longest active winning streak (28 games) and the winners in 85 of their last 90 football games since the 2000 season. • Grand Valley State is 278-114-3 (.710). The Lakers have the best winning percentage in DII football history (.710) and the second-best winning percentage in college football since 2000 (.909). • The Lakers’ 86 victories since the 2000 campaign ranks second in college football behind Mount Union. GVSU is 89-11 in its last 100 games. The Lakers are 86-9 since 2000. •Grand Valley State quarterback Cullen
2006 Season Review Finnerty extended his NCAA college football record as the all-time winningest starting QB in terms of total wins to 51. Finnerty concluded his career with a 51-4 record and three National Championships. • Grand Valley State has won a school-record 28 straight games overall. GVSU’s last loss was Nov. 27, 2004 at North Dakota in the NCAA Northwest Regional final. The Lakers’ current 28-game winning streak is the sixth longest in DII football history. • GVSU has the second best winning percentage of football playing schools in the state of Michigan. Michigan is 860-280-36 (.745), while GVSU is 278-114-3 (.710). • Grand Valley State has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Lakers are 21-2 in their last 23 playoff games since the 2001 season and have won eight straight playoff games. Grand Valley is 21-7 all-time in the DII Playoffs and 1-1 in the NAIA playoffs. GVSU has held seven of its last 13 playoff opponents to 14 points or less, including five that have scored seven points or less. • The Lakers are 85-5 in their last 90 games with four National Championships (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006). • Grand Valley State is 86-9 since the 2000 season with four NCAA DII National Championships (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006). • The GVSU senior class concluded their careers as the all-time winningest class in college football history with a 52-4 overall mark and three National Championships. Including their redshirt season, the senior class was 66-4 with four National Championships. Grand Valley State entered the 2006 season ranked number one in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, D2football.com and Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. GVSU has opened the season as the top ranked team in the AFCA coaches poll four of the last five years. GVSU has opened the season as the top ranked team in DII football in at least one poll each of the last five years. The Lakers were ranked number one by Sports Illustrated prior to the 2005 campaign and number one in AFCA coaches poll in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. • The Lakers are 49-2 when being ranked number one since 2002. • GVSU has been ranked in the AFCA top 25 in 78 straight polls. • Grand Valley State has been ranked number one in the country in 55 of the last 69 polls since the opening game of the 2002 season. GVSU has finished the year ranked in the top 10 (2001-2, 2002-1, 2003-1, 2004-9, 2005-1, 2006-1) in six straight postseason polls. • Since 2001, the Lakers are 45-3 at home, 33-2 in their last 35 road games and 36-3 in all games away from Lubbers Stadium in their last 39. 2002 • 2003 • 2005 • 2006 National Champions GVSU ALL-GLIAC PERFORMERS Grand Valley State dominated the 2006 All- GLIAC team with 21 selections. GVSU notched nine on the first team, six on the second team and six honorable mention choices. In addition, QB Cullen Finnerty was the GLIAC Player of the Year, DL Mike McFadden was named the Defensive Lineman of the Year and OT Brandon Barnes was the Offensive Lineman of the Year. First Team (9) QB Cullen Finnerty WR Eric Fowler WR Antione Trent OL Brandon Barnes DL Mike McFadden DL Derrick Jones LB Anthony Adams CB Brandon Carr P Justin Trumble Second Team (6) RB Astin Martin OL Billy Eisenhardt PK Todd Carter DL Ryan Gaydosh LB Kirk Carruth CB Bill Brechin Honorable Mention (6) WR Mark Catlin OL Jacob Henige OL Sean Stevens WR Terry Mitchell DL Dan Skuta FS Buster Larkins • The Grand Valley State roster featured six consensus all-americans in QB Cullen Finnerty, WR Eric Fowler, DT Mike McFadden, LB Anthony Adams, OL Brandon Barnes and CB Brandon Carr. • Cullen Finnerty finished second in the balloting for the Harlon Hill Award as the nation’s best player in DII football. Mike McFadden won the Gene Upshaw Award for the second straight year as the top interior lineman in DII football. 55
- Page 7 and 8: Media Information PRACTICES All pra
- Page 10 and 11: 6 Chuck Martin Head Coach Grand Val
- Page 12 and 13: 8 Todd Kolster Offensive Coordinato
- Page 14 and 15: 10 Eddie Brown Running Backs Eddie
- Page 16 and 17: 12 Grand Valley State will open the
- Page 18: Linebackers Experience, talent and
- Page 21 and 22: Player Profiles Sam Allen #58 OL
- Page 23 and 24: Player Profiles Matt Beaty #9 LB
- Page 25 and 26: Player Profiles Bill Brechin #29 DB
- Page 27 and 28: Player Profiles All-American Candid
- Page 29 and 30: Player Profiles Todd Carter #90 K
- Page 31 and 32: Player Profiles Gary Fant #25 RB
- Page 33 and 34: Player Profiles Ryan Gaydosh #92 DL
- Page 35 and 36: Player Profiles Jacob Henige #55 OL
- Page 37 and 38: Player Profiles Brad Iciek #13 QB
- Page 39 and 40: Player Profiles David Misiewicz #40
- Page 41 and 42: Player Profiles Danny Richard #45 L
- Page 43 and 44: Player Profiles J.D. Steenland #87
- Page 45 and 46: Player Profiles Lance Travis #44 DE
- Page 47 and 48: Player Profiles Justin Victor #53 L
- Page 49 and 50: Anthony Adams Brandon Barnes Brando
- Page 51 and 52: Defensive Depth Chart LE DT DT RE 9
- Page 53 and 54: Numerical Roster No Name Pos Ht Wt
- Page 55 and 56: Alphabetical Roster No Name Pos Ht
- Page 60 and 61: 56 Game 1 September 2, 2006 Findlay
- Page 62 and 63: 58 Game 3 September 16, 2006 Grand
- Page 64 and 65: 60 Game 5 September 30, 2006 Grand
- Page 66 and 67: 62 Game 7 October 14, 2006 Grand Va
- Page 68 and 69: 64 Game 9 October 28, 2006 Grand Va
- Page 70 and 71: 66 Game 11 November 11, 2006 Grand
- Page 72 and 73: 68 Game 13 December 2, 2006 North D
- Page 74 and 75: 70 Game 15 December 2, 2006 Grand V
- Page 76 and 77: 72 Total Offense GP Plays Rush Pass
- Page 78 and 79: 74 Scoring Drives Plays Yards TOP Q
- Page 80 and 81: 76 Rushing (Attempts-Yards-TDs) Mar
- Page 82 and 83: 78 2007 Laker Football Media Guide
- Page 84 and 85: 80 2007 Laker Football Media Guide
- Page 86: 82 Saturday, August 25 Mercyhurst a
- Page 89 and 90: 2007 Opponents Series Information F
- Page 91 and 92: 2007 Opponents Series Information F
- Page 93 and 94: 2007 Opponents Series Information F
- Page 95 and 96: 2007 Opponents Series Information F
- Page 97 and 98: 2007 Opponents Series Information F
- Page 99 and 100: GLIAC Series Records ASHLAND Date S
- Page 101 and 102: GLIAC Series Records SAGINAW VALLEY
- Page 104 and 105: 100 The Grand Valley State football
- Page 106: 102 TOP 25 LUBBERS STADIUM CROWDS Y
54<br />
Grand Valley State and the city <strong>of</strong><br />
Florence, Ala. have become synonymous<br />
with one another when talking about football.<br />
The home <strong>of</strong> the NCAA DII <strong>Football</strong><br />
Championship has entertained Grand<br />
Valley State and its football program five<br />
<strong>of</strong> the last six years for the National<br />
Championship game. The 2006 Laker football<br />
team continued the trend and etched its<br />
name into the record books with the 2006<br />
NCAA DII National Championship and<br />
just the second undefeated 15-0 campaign<br />
in DII football history. The title was the<br />
Lakers’ fourth in the last five years and<br />
marked the second time in the last five<br />
years that Grand Valley State went back-toback<br />
(2002-03 and 2005-06). In addition,<br />
Grand Valley State concluded the 2006<br />
season with a 28-game winning streak, the<br />
longest active winning streak in college<br />
football and the sixth longest winning<br />
streak in Division II football history.<br />
Grand Valley State, fresh from<br />
the 2005 NCAA DII National<br />
Championship, opened the year with a 13-<br />
0 road victory at Findlay in less than<br />
impressive fashion. GVSU scored early,<br />
but struggled <strong>of</strong>fensively for much <strong>of</strong> the<br />
contest. The Laker defense recorded its<br />
first shutout since a 34-0 victory over<br />
Wayne State in 2004. Grand Valley State<br />
returned to the friendly confines for the<br />
2006 home opener versus Ashland. The<br />
Eagles dominated the opening quarter, only<br />
to have the Lakers come back and forge<br />
into a 16-10 halftime lead. Ashland came<br />
back and eventually tied the game at 24-24<br />
early in the fourth quarter, but Cullen<br />
Finnerty bailed the Lakers out with a 45yard<br />
broken play touchdown pass to Eric<br />
Fowler midway through the fourth quarter<br />
for a 30-24 victory. The tie with Ashland in<br />
the fourth quarter would be the last time<br />
Grand Valley State would trail past the first<br />
quarter until the National Championship<br />
game. A 31-6 road win at St. Joseph’s moved<br />
the Lakers to 3-0. Next was a Thursday night<br />
contest televised nationally on CSTV. The<br />
Lakers started strong and went on to claim a<br />
41-20 win over Michigan Tech. Upstart<br />
Wayne State hosted the Lakers in week five<br />
looking for an upset. However, GVSU raced<br />
out to a 19-0 first quarter lead and never<br />
looked back en route to a 36-13 win. Grand<br />
Valley State claimed a 49-17 home win over<br />
Mercyhurst and then a 33-7 win at<br />
Indianapolis.<br />
2007 Laker <strong>Football</strong> Media Guide<br />
2006 Season Review<br />
Up next was a matchup <strong>of</strong> unbeatens when<br />
the top-ranked Lakers hosted #9<br />
Northwood. The Timberwolves score on<br />
their first possession, but that was it as<br />
Grand Valley State ran <strong>of</strong>f 45 straight points<br />
to claim a 45-7 win. The Lakers continued to<br />
roll the final three weeks <strong>of</strong> the regular season,<br />
defeating Ferris State 28-6, Saginaw<br />
Valley State 49-35 and Northern Michigan<br />
47-17.<br />
After a first-round bye in the play<strong>of</strong>fs,<br />
GVSU dominated three straight play<strong>of</strong>f<br />
opponents. The Lakers claimed a 35-17 win<br />
over #16 South Dakota, and a 30-20 win<br />
over #8 North Dakota. The Lakers scored<br />
27 first quarter points to take a commanding<br />
lead over the Fighting Sioux. GVSU then<br />
claimed a convincing 49-30 semifinal victory<br />
over Delta State before an ESPN2 national<br />
prime-time audience on a Sunday night.<br />
The Lakers concluded their historic run<br />
through the 2006 play<strong>of</strong>fs with second<br />
straight meeting versus NW Missouri State<br />
in the title game. In a tight battle throughout,<br />
Laker QB Cullen Finnerty scored the game<br />
winner early in the fourth quarter on a fouryard<br />
run and the Laker defense preserved<br />
the 17-14 win. Finnerty ran for 117 yards<br />
and passed for 225, while cornerback Bill<br />
Brechin picked <strong>of</strong>f two passes and recovered<br />
a fumble for the defense. GVSU became the<br />
first team in DII play<strong>of</strong>f history to claim<br />
wins over two North Central Conference<br />
schools (South Dakota and North Dakota) in<br />
regional action, a win over a Gulf South<br />
Conference team (Delta State) in the semifinals<br />
followed by a victory over Northwest<br />
Missouri State (17-14) <strong>of</strong> the MIAA in the<br />
title game.<br />
2006 News and Notes...<br />
• For the second straight year and the fifth<br />
time in the last six years, Grand Valley State<br />
appeared in the NCAA Division II National<br />
Championship game. Grand Valley State<br />
concluded the 2006 season with college<br />
football’s longest active winning streak (28<br />
games) and the winners in 85 <strong>of</strong> their last 90<br />
football games since the 2000 season.<br />
• Grand Valley State is 278-114-3 (.710).<br />
The Lakers have the best winning percentage<br />
in DII football history (.710) and the<br />
second-best winning percentage in college<br />
football since 2000 (.909).<br />
• The Lakers’ 86 victories since the 2000<br />
campaign ranks second in college football<br />
behind Mount Union. GVSU is 89-11 in its<br />
last 100 games. The Lakers are 86-9 since<br />
2000.<br />
•Grand Valley State quarterback Cullen
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