Next Up: Grand Valley State
When: Nov. 8, Noon
Where: Adams Field, Detroit
TV/Radio: B2 Network/WDTK-AM 1400
Grand Valley
Grand Valley State has a resume that is more than a mile long: undefeated in 2008 (9-0, 9-0 GLIAC); the No. 1 team in both the coaches’ poll and regional rankings; currently riding a 49-game winning streak (Division II record); and 107-10 since 2000. It’s safe to say the Lakers are ‘pretty good’ and will be the toughest test for the Warriors this season.
Keys to the game
The key for Wayne State will be two-fold: contain running back Jimmy Berezik on the ground and then hold off the aerial attack long enough to force the turnovers that have been so opportunistic all season long.
For GVSU, it must do what it’s done the last 49 games — win. After sneaking past Ashland two weeks ago, the Lakers walloped on Northern Michigan, including 21 points in the first seven minutes of the contest. Falling behind early is something the Warriors will need to avoid at all costs if they want to pull off one of the bigger upsets in college football.
“I think earlier in the year we would have looked at this game as ‘I hope we can show them that we belong’,” coach Paul Winters said. “Now, I’d like to think we can go into the game thinking ‘this is our house and nobody comes in here and beats us.”
What’s at stake?
Both teams have plenty to play for in the final week of the regular season. Grand Valley is trying to secure the top-ranked spot in the region and home field advantage throughout regional play.
Wayne State is hoping to sneak into the playoffs with the win, likely as a fifth or sixth seed. The Warriors can also set a school record for wins in a season and extend their already-set record for conference wins in a single year.
Previous meetings
GVSU leads the all-time series, 26-5. The last home victory for the Warriors against the Lakers was in 1983, a 22-10 win. Wayne State also defeated Grand Valley in Allendale back in 1984, a 30-3 rout.
Comments
4 comments
MDRussell, Esq
This weeks South End did have Joique Bell on the cover and the team and game coverage was very good. However, I think its time for the Warriors to get their day in the main Detroit media sun. While UM has been a perennial power and media darling (and rightfully so), I'm tired of seeing stories about their struggles. I have been to many of the WSU games this year, home and away, and I have seen some of the most dramatic and dynamic football from WSU as I have seen in my 40 years of following the sport. Overall I think The South End does a pretty good job of covering the team, but I would like to at least hear a mention on the Ticket and the Fan, and see them on the weekend sports shows after the news. ...Oh yeah, Go Warriors!
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JD I AGREE / WE ARE PASSING TO WORD/ WWW.MUSCLESINMOTIONSYSTEMS.COM
ex-muslim
Does Karl Henkel and the others at the south end even go to games?Why doesn't the South End do more to get students at the game.
Jay D
This is the biggest game in school history and am a little disappointed at the lack of coverage with a school that get's very little student attendance at its games. There have plenty of articles written about the lack of student involvement on campus and this would be the perfect way to get students on campus this weekend. Its easy to write recaps, I guess I was looking for a front page feature story with how much this game means to WSU and the athletic program. A simple game capsule is unacceptable as the flagship voice of Wayne State. There is more coverage from Detroit's mainstream media outlets that have the ability to cover much larger stories and teams.
