8th-ranked Grand Valley State University defeated 18th-ranked Findlay 38-13 in front of 11,813 homecoming fans in Allendale, Michigan to take sole possession of the GLIAC lead. Despite a 45-yard opening kick-off return by UF's Anthony Fields, the Oilers could not sustain the drive, giving GV the ball on downs at their own 25. The Lakers then used 5:50 of clock to their first score of the evening - a 20-yard Iciek pass to Smolen. GVSU was in control from there on out with a 24-7 lead at the break. The Oilers had trouble moving the ball and converted on only 1-of-8 third down plays against a stingy Laker-D. They also gave up 480 total yards to the Laker offensive unit and managed only 250 yards of total offense.

College: Findlay Univ Conference: GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Mike Chambers 2 6' 1.7" 199 4.55 WR 2010

Chambers had 8 catches for 107 yards, including a 59-yard TD in the 2nd quarter to cut the GV lead to 21-7. However, on the previous series, Chambers' fumble and subsequent GV return led to an easy GV score, putting the Oilers down 3 scores early. He showed good route running, but Beam was constantly hounded (he was sacked twice, hurried twice) by the Laker rush and didn't get in sync all night. Chambers continues to display pro potential and I believe with a great combine showing, he could be a 6-7th round draft choice - if not, the UFL or CFL are good candidates for his services.

GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Joe Knopick 6 5' 11.5" 220 4.85 LB 2010

Once again, Knopick led his team defensively (14 tackles, 5 solo) and he is an outstanding college LB. He did a great job inside, but was caught inside and unable to support on some outside runs (particularly Smolen's jet-sweep TD in the first quarter) - still not convinced he could compete week-in and week-out with NFL linemen (and GV has several OLs that are NFL size).

GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Anthony Fields 22 5' 9.0" 195 4.60 S 2010

Fields had 8 tackles (5 solo) and did well in pass coverage, including a pass break-up. GV primarily focused on the run and he did well coming up in run support, although he was unable to fight off a couple down-field blocks that resulted in additional GV yardage. He had 6 KO returns for 132, including a nice 45-yarder to start off the game. This ability coupled with his defensive skills could get him an invitation as a special teams/KR player.

GRADE: SLIGHTLY POSITIVE

Andrew Beam 11 6' 4.0" 230 4.70 QB 2010

Beam has made the most of his move from Bowling Green to UF this year. He has sparked the Oilers to a 6-2 start (after a 2-9 season in '08) and made them relevant in the GLIAC. He has NFL size, good arm strength and mobility. He is accurate (61.9%) but has thrown 5 INTs against 10 TDs and he is 3rd in efficiency (145.9) behind Iciek and Cundiff. Could be worth an invitation to camp.

GRADE: POSITIVE

College: Grand Valley State Conference: D-2 GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class

Blake Smolen 11 5' 11.9 198 4.45 WR 2010

Smolen is extremely versatile and athletic. He gets touches in many ways and is successful in all areas. Today he had 4 carries for 33 yards and a TD, 8 catches for 98 yards and a TD and 1 KR for 24 (155 total). He runs well, with shoulders low and he has excellent balance and ability to take-on tacklers. He is fast and sure-handed - definitely an athlete who could contribute at the next level. If he can have a great combine performance, he should get some NFL interest. He could definitely start on any of the UFL teams and most CFL teams.

GRADE: VERY POSITIVE

Brad Iciek 13 6' 1.0 195 4.80 QB 2010

Iciek continues to be the steady and consistent leader of one of the NCAA's winningest programs in the last several years. He has thrown 190 passes for 20 TDs and 0 INTs and leads GLIAC in efficiency at 179.1. He was 17 for 22 today (and several of the incompletions were drops) for 214 yards and 1 TD. He possesses decent mobility (he has only been sacked 5 times this year), but is certainly not a runner. Good mechanics, but lacks NFL height and arm strength - could make a solid practice squad or perhaps CFL player.

GRADE: POSITIVE

James Berezik 21 5' 10.4 206 4.60 RB 2011

Berezik had a good game today with 17 carries for 104 yards and 3 catches for 51. He led the GLIAC last year as a sophomore in rushing, and is currently third at 6.1 ypc and 95.8 yards per game this year. I compare him to Danny Woodhead - if someone gives him the chance, he could contribute in the NFL - I just don't think he'll get the chance. Hopefully there will be a UFL team that will take him so he can prove himself against better defenses.

GRADE: POSITIVE

Nick McDonald 77 6' 4.4 302 5.35 OG 2010

McDonald started his 20 game at guard for GV against UF. He has good quickness and a large frame; he makes and sustains contact on LB/DBs on pulls. He was excellent leading around the corner on a Smolen reverse that gained 30 yards. Had an uncharateristic false start. One of the top guards in the GLIAC ... with a good senior day/combine he could be a 7th round/UFA selection.

GRADE: VERY POSITIVE

ADDITONAL GAME NOTES:

GV senior S Jacob McGuckin led the Lakers with 10 tackles (2 solo) and a fumble recovery return of 18 yards ... Iciek surpassed 7,000 career passing yards (7,068) ... Chambers is just 166 yards away from breaking the 23-year old season receiving record of 1,018 with 3 games left.

Next week the Oilers (6-2, 5-2) host Northern Michigan (5-2, 5-2) and Grand Valley (7-1, 6-1) travels to Ashland (4-4, 4-3).

Very informative writeups as always, Jay.

If you had room for another LB in camp would you take Knopick or SVSU's Jacobs? I'm guessing probably Jacobs?...How do they each do at the POA?

Is there anyway Joe can volunteer for a greater work load politely and in a team-player spirit? With his wheels he really should be used more when they are teeing off on Cundiff.

Also, how does Iciek compare, pro potential-wise, to some of the other recent GVSU QBs?

Without a second thought - Jacobs.

If you remember Tom Korte of Hillsdale (6' 236) who almost made it all the way through Steelers' camp - I think Jacobs is quicker than him and a tad taller.

In the SVSU-AU game Jacobs shows time and again how he can shed/slip blockers and make his way 'upstream' to for the tackle; guys rarely seem to get a 'square' block on him. Knopick also works well upfield, but just not as consistent at 'getting there' as Jacobs - I'd give Jacobs the edge in lateral movement and certainly cover ability, too.

It seems the prevailing philosophy at AU is very old school from the standpoint of 'develop the run first' almost to the point of '3 yards and a cloud of dust' - Owens' first AU team was 9-2 and the defense was top 5 in D-2 in many categories - only allowing like 9.5 points per game - and AU's offense was run oriented, featuring a big I-back (Jason Schwalm was his name) with little passing (Billy C broke almost every passing record his first full year as a starter) - it seems that with West Coast personnel AU still wants to see a 'Woody Hayes' running game - the primary formation is slot I or I with 2 TEs and a flanker! They have practiced and discussed some wildcat-type stuff - but it has never shown-up in the game - and to be fair, the o-line woes with the loss of Magruder might make ANY plays less than successful; also, when Joe was a RS-frosh, he ran a reverse against Ferris State (into the short side of the field) and was told he was only allowed one 'cut' - well he turned the corner and got lit-up by a 255-lb LB after a 3 yard gain - he got knocked-out on the play, fumbled (but a teammate recovered it) and I wonder if that isn't still in some people's memory (even though it was two O-coords ago).

Cullen Finnerty, if I recall, made the Ravens practice squad - but the knock on him was 'too short.' I think Iciek could (with some significant development) make a competent pro (but not a star - he needs better arm strength and his height is suspect), but the GVSU offense is very controlled (they really stress the run because they have behemoth linemen and don't have to throw much) so I don't think we know what he can really do. Although last year in the playoff loss to eventual D-2 champ UMD, Iciek threw 3 INTS and was really unable to make the plays when the chips were down (but many contend it had more to do with play selection and the lack of a GV run game with Berezik suspended that game.) I have talked to several GV guys who follow GLIAC football that feel if Iciek and Cundiff traded places, Iciek would be the one getting all the attention and Cundiff would be the 'unknown quantity' - not sure I totally agree since Cundiff was the guy who was recruited D-I and was the heir-apparant to start at UConn (Randy Edsall called him 'the purest passer' he had seen.) Right now, barring a GV upset, AU is not going to the playoffs and GV is - we should get better insight in Iciek in those playoff games.