Courtesy of NCAA.com
Indianapolis -- Grand Valley State University's football team and defensive lineman Danny Richard were named a "team to watch" and "player to watch" respectively in the 2011 Division II football preview by NCAA.com.
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Grand Valley State will look to bounce back following a "down" year -- falling 38-6 in the second round of the playoffs to Augustana (S.D.). The Lakers haven't won a national title since 2006, which was their fourth in five seasons. If GVSU expects to get back on top in 2011, it will have to replace starting QB Kyle McMahon, who averaged 246.1 yards per game of total offense. Sophomore Heath Parling takes over those duties, after completing 20 of 30 passes as a freshman.
Before receiving a medical redshirt in 2010, Richard was picked as a preseason All-American by both Sporting News and Lindy's. In 2009 he led the GVSU football team tackles for loss (TFL) (19.5-79) and quarterback sacks (13-62), blocked three kicks, and forced two fumbles. Richard ranks near top of all-time defensive charts in Division II for both career TFLs (52.0 for 224 yards) and quarterback sacks (30.0 for 176 yards). He was named a Daktronics, Inc. First-Team All-American, D2Football.com First-Team All-American, Associated Press Second-Team All-American, and Football Gazette Second-Team All-American.