Late touchdown lifts GVSU to 38-31 victory over Indianapolis

Saturday’s game against West Texas A&M

Cody Eding
Sep 19, 2010

Junior wide receiver Jovonne Augustus’ flair for the dramatic is proving to be a valuable weapon for the Grand Valley State University football team.

Augustus’ leaping, 10-yard touchdown grab with 30 seconds to play Saturday night gave the Lakers a 38-31 victory over visiting University of Indianapolis at Lubbers Stadium.

The conference win moved No. 1-ranked GVSU to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC.

“It was déjà vu,” said Augustus, whose touchdown catch with 16 seconds left to play led to a GVSU victory last week against Hillsdale College. “It happened again, it keeps on happening. (Offensive coordinator Eric Koehler) just called my number again, I just went up to make a play.”

The catch – Augustus’ second of the game and first since the first quarter – capped another nail-biting contest for GVSU. In all three games this season, the Lakers have been losing or tied in the final quarter.

“It was one of those games that I felt like, even though it was tied at the end, I felt like we were a little bit more controlled at times,” said GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell. “When we had the chance to get the thing to a two-score lead or take advantage, we didn’t. That’s something that we’ve obviously got to do because we’ve had a couple of games where we haven’t been able to do that.”

Leading the way for the Lakers offense was senior quarterback Kyle McMahon. The triggerman completed 16-of-29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 24 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. On defense, GVSU received 11 total tackles from junior safety Zach Breen.

After entering halftime with a 16-10 lead, GVSU’s defense immediately forced a three-and-out by the Indianapolis offense. On the ensuing drive, the Lakers drove to the Greyhounds’ eight-yard line before disaster struck.

McMahon ran left where Indianapolis defensive lineman Demetreius Wilson stood him up. McMahon fumbled on his way to the ground, and the Greyhounds’ Nate Jackson scooped up the loose ball and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. A successful extra point put Indianapolis up 17-16.

“Obviously, that turnover, that was a big momentum change,” Mitchell said. “We’re going in right there, that takes it to a two-score lead. And then, they return it back for a touchdown.”

McMahon responded just more than a minute later with a 15-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point pass to Greg Gay put the Lakers up by seven, 24-17.

The two teams traded touchdowns – with Indianapolis tying the score at 31-31 on quarterback Paul Corsaro’s six-yard run with 3:05 to play – until McMahon hit Augustus with a jump ball in the right front of the end zone to bring home the GVSU victory.

In the first half, the Lakers received touchdowns from senior running back Justin Sherrod and senior wide receiver Ryan Bass.

Sherrod’s one-yard leap over the line opened GVSU’s scoring, while McMahon found Bass for a 22-yard score with 7:08 to play in the second quarter.

Sophomore kicker Jay Jandasek added a 21-yard field goal at the beginning of the second quarter.

The win was GVSU’s 150th at Lubbers Stadium. The Lakers are now 20-1 in the all-time series against the Greyhounds.

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Grand Valley State University 38, University of Indianapolis 31

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final

GVSU 7 9 8 14 38

IU 7 3 7 14 31

First Quarter

8:36 GVSU – Justin Sherrod 1 yd run (Jay Jandasek kick)

1:29 IU – Joumeel McLaurine 18 yd run (Aaron Puntarelli kick)