Grand Valley State dropped a 24-20 decision at Indianapolis Thursday evening in the 2017 season opener. The Lakers will host Davenport Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the home opener. 

The Lakers opened the scoring with an impressive drive on its first possession, going 75 yards in nine plays as senior QB Bart Williams hit senior TE Nick Keizer with a 9-yard TD pass. Bryce Lovelace added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. Williams hit senior WR Bradon Bean and freshman WR Brandon Wadley with key receptions and Wadley added a 13 yard run on the drive. 

The Laker defense forced a turnover when sophomore safety Kalen Dunham forced a fumble that junior safety Jacob Studdard recoved at the Greyhound five yard line. Williams hit Bean with a TD pass, but the PAT was blocked to give GVSU a 13-0 lead. 

Indianapolis answered with 10 second quarter points, the first coming on a 27 yard field goal at the 8:46 mark, followed by a four-yard TD pass from Jake Purichia to Daveon Bell to concluded a 9-play, 68-yard scoring drive. 

The Greyhounds opened the second half with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive that took 5:51 off the clock. QB Jake Purichia ran in from one yard out and the PAT gave Indianapolis its first lead of the night 17-13. 

The Lakers regained the lead midway through the fourth quarter on an 8-play, 77-yard scoring drive that took 4:14 off the clock. Williams hit Keizer three times for 51 yards on the drive, including a 10 yard TD pass to conclude the drive and give GVSU a 20-17 lead. 

However, Indianapolis answered with a 7-play, 89-yard drive that took just 3:24 off the clock. UI running back Al McKeller scampered the final 51 yards for the score and the PAT gave the Greyhounds a 24-20 lead. 

Grand Valley State had one last drive after forcing a punt and moved inside the Indianapolis 20 yard line in the closing seconds, but a Williams pass intended for Keizer on fourth down was  batted away. 

Williams completed 22-of-37 passes for 303 yards and three TDs, while Keizer caught six passes for 118 yards and two TDs. Bean hauled in seven passes for 84 yards and a TD. Safety Jailyn Harden led the defense with seven tackles.