GVSU Football Season Ends With Loss To Augustana in Second Round of D-II Playoffs

GVSU Football Season Ends With Loss To Augustana in Second Round of D-II Playoffs
Posted: Nov 27, 2010

Release courtesy of Tim Nott, Associate Athletic Director, Grand Valley State University

Click here for printer-friendly (PDF) version of weekly release

Sioux Falls, S.D. - Grand Valley State University dropped a 38-6 decision to Augustana College (S.D.) Saturday afternoon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. GVSU finished the season with an 11-2 record and advanced to the NCAA DII playoffs for the 10th consecutive year. Augustana moves on to play Minnesota Duluth next Saturday (Dec. 4) in the Super Region 3 final.

DIVISION II FOOTBALL PLAYOFF BRACKET

Augustana used Grand Valley State miscues in the first quarter to jump out to a 10-0 lead. GVSU senior QB Kyle McMahon fumbled at the 50 yard line on the Lakers' second possession and Augustana drove 27 yards in nine plays for a 40 yard field goal by Drew Behrens. GVSU punter Jay Jandasek dropped the snap from center and Augustana blocked his punt that was downed at the GVSU 32 yard line. Josh Hanson hit Tyler Schulte with a 14 yard TD pass just 1:05 later and Augustana led 10-0 with less than minute left in the first quarter.

On the Lakers' fourth possession McMahon hit senior WR Ryan Bass on what appeared to be a first down on a 22 yard completion, but officials ruled the ball hit the ground. Replays showed it was a completed pass and GVSU was forced to punt. Augustana drove 97 yards in eight plays for a touchdown on its ensuing drive. Hanson hit Schulte again, this one coming from 19 yards out to give the Viking a 17-0 lead.

Justin Sherrod fumbled at the Augustana 22 yard line to finish what looked to be a promising GVSU drive. GVSU forced a fumble and had apparently recovered the ball in Viking territory, but officials ruled the runner was down. Replays again showed the ball was fumbled before the player was down. An Augustana punt was downed at the GVSU two yard line with 3:46 left in the first half. The Lakers moved the ball out to the 30 yard line, but McMahon was picked off by defensive lineman Erik Bergman and the ball was returned 24 yards for a TD to up the Viking lead to 24-0. The first half for the Lakers was one to forget, two lost fumbles, a blocked punt and an interception return for a TD. Augustana scored 17 points directly from GVSU turnovers.

GVSU opened the second half with a drive deep into Viking territory, but the Lakers were stopped on a dropped snap from center on a 32 yard field goal attempt. McMahon was picked off when he overthrew Greg Gay with 5:20 left in the third quarter on the Lakers next possession. Augustana scored again on a 19 yard TD reception from Hanson to Schulte to up the Viking advantage to 31-0.

GVSU's Chris Crawford returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a GVSU touchdown, but the PAT was blocked. GVSU's senior LB Justin Victor blocked a Viking field goal attempt following an Augustana field goal attempt, but McMahon was picked off for the third time with 12:36 left in the fourth quarter. Augustana scored on a 13 yard TD run by Joe Clark to increase the Viking lead to 38-6. Augustana scored 31 points off GVSU offensive miscues.

McMahon completed 16-of-35 passes for 202 yards, while rushing for 69 yards on 13 carries. Justin Sherrod rushed 11 times for 51 yards and caught seven passes for 71 yards. Greg Gay caught five passes for 70 yards. Justin Victor led the GVSU defense with a career-high 15 tackles, while Zach Breen tallied 10 stops.