No. 9 GVSU blown out in first road game

GVL / Robert Mathews  
Sophomore Kirk Spencer

GVL / Robert Mathews Sophomore Kirk Spencer

Bryce Derouin

After three solid wins at home to open the season, the Grand Valley State University football team seemed to answer many questions that were left lingering from last year.

Unfortunately for GVSU, they didn’t have any answers for Ohio Dominican University, as GVSU was outplayed in a 57-14 defeat.

Ohio Dominican (4-0, 3-0 GLIAC) didn’t waste any time getting started, as they took the first drive of the game 68 yards, and converted a 24-yard field goal. This would mark the first time GVSU trailed all year.

The Lakers (3-1, 1-1 GLIAC) would go three-and-out on their first possession of the game, forcing a punt—and for the first time in program history—Ohio Dominican returned the punt for a touchdown as senior Justin Bell took it 90 yards for the score.

GVSU would drive it deep into Ohio Dominican territory to the six-yard line on the following possession, but Grimes’ fade into the endzone was intercepted.

From there, Ohio Dominican would drive the length of the field, and cash in on the turnover, giving the Panthers an early 17-0 lead.

The Lakers would get it within ten on two separate occasions. Grimes found Potts for a 24-yard touchdown on the screen pass to make it 17-7, and junior running back Michael Ratay would convert a one yard run for a touchdown to narrow the difference to 24-14.

After Ratay’s score, Ohio Dominican answered immediately, as junior Abe Johnson took the kickoff 93 yards all the way back for a touchdown.

Ohio Dominican also forced safety before the half, and went into the locker room with a 33-14 lead.

The second half was more of the same as GVSU was unable to mount any sort of a comeback, and Ohio Dominican scored the only 24 points in the half.

Grimes finished the game completing 14 of 26 passes for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Both interceptions were costly and came from the ODU six and three-yard line.

Ohio Dominican outgained the Lakers 470 to 324 in total yards of offense, and utilized a balanced attack to gain 234 yards on the ground, and 236 through the air.

GVSU will look to rebound when they host Michigan Tech University next weekend at home.