Ashland University hosted #6 ranked Grand Valley State and the Lakers steamrolled the Eagles 34-7. Building a 17-0 lead at the half, the visitors matched that output in the second half. On the day, the Laker defense smothered the Eagle passing attack, holding QB Billy Cundiff to just 49 yards passing on 9 completions (a career low as a starter). The young o-line continued to flounder, giving up 6 sacks and limiting Cundiff to -29 yards on 9 scrambles. On the ground, the Eagles were modestly successful running for 5.7 yards per carry on 34 attempts, but they could not get the yards when they needed them, going just 3 for 10 on third down and 0-4 on 4th down.

The Lakers played one of their most complete games of the season, with just 4-penalties for 40 yards (they were flagged 10 times last week for false starts/illegal procedure last week). The Laker offense used a great mix of running and passing and was 12-18 on third down, controlling the ball 13 more minutes than Ashland in the win.

College: Ashland University Conference: D-2 GLIAC Columnist: Jay Horn
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class

Billy Cundiff 17 6' 1.6 219 4.58 QB 2010
Cundiff suffered his least productive day as a starter completing only 9 of 13 for 49 yards and rushing 9 times for -29 yards and he was sacked 6 times. The Ashland offensive line continues to show little ability to handle the blitz and the word is out around the conference (Cundiff has been sacked 35 times to lead the GLIAC). He was able to make a couple nice completions, but usually with a defender on his heels. Cundiff does display a very calm demeanor, even while his o-line provides little support; he is focused and works as a leader communicating with his offense on the sidelines, without 'losing his cool' - this is a very positive trait. This demeanor has also translated on the field, since despite being sacked almost 4 times per game, Cundiff still has a 171.2 passer rating with just 1 INT in 250 pass attempts.

GRADE: NEUTRAL

Joe Horn 7 5' 11.9 186 4.40 WR 2011

As Cundiff was grounded, so was Horn and the entire Eagle receiver corps. Horn had 3 catches for 16 yards but also had 2 carries (both reverses into the boundary) for 22 yards. This is the first time in the season AU has actually tried using Horn's speed in a running play - perhaps we will see more in the remaining 2 games.

GRADE: NEUTRAL

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 was 'quitetly efficient' in today's game. Today he had 4 carries for 24 yards, and just 2 catches for 62 yards and a TD and and no KRs. His TD was a beautiful finger-tip catch on a 54-yard deep post from Iciek to the south endzone. He showed excellent speed and concentration, running all the way through the catch, and showing great hands as he pulled the deep ball into his body while maitaining his balance at a full run. It was a big play on a key third down that put the Lakers up 17-0 in the 2nd quarter that really deflated the Eagle defense. It was the kind of big play he has come to make routinely in his career. He also made a solid block to spring WR Gay on his 25 yard screen TD in the first quarter on 4th down. If the Lakers can go deep in the playoffs, he should get some good exposure and hopefully get an opportunity to show his skills at the combine.

GRADE: POSITIVE

Brad Iciek 13 6' 1.0 195 4.80 QB 2010

Iciek also had another 'good day at the office' with a very professional and workmanlike performance in this win. He was 11 for 20 today for 146 yards with 3 TDs and he had 5 rushes for 23 yards. He also displays a very calm, and strong on-field demeanor, which has translated to 3 great seasons for the Lakers. He made an excellent screen throw, in the middle of several defenders, that Gay took to the endzone; his bomb to Smolen was well thrown (even with some gusty winds at the AU stadium) and hit Smolen in stride for the score. He did miss on a 15 yard fade to the corner, but overall he was very accurate. As I mentioned last week, I believe he could contribute as an excellent practice player, or with more arm strength/size could play as a back-up on an NFL squad.

GRADE: POSITIVE

James Berezik 21 5' 10.4 206 4.60 RB 2011

Berezik had a quiet day as well, with 57 yards on 17 carries and just 4 yards on 2 catches (among his lowest production of the season). He scorched the AU defense last year, and they were keying pretty heavily on him. He was used in the slot as well as a running back and did show some good blocking for Smolen on 2 third down runs that got the first down. He makes good contact, but needs more mass if he ever goes against LBs or DEs. Compared to the other games I have seen him in the last two seasons, this was by far his least impressive.

GRADE: NEUTRAL

Nick McDonald 77 6' 4.4 302 5.35 OG 2010

As I mentioned last week against Findlay, McDonald has good quickness and a large frame and he is very quick to get out in front of the play on screens and sweeps. He makes good choices in helping against the pass rush, and he is difficult to get around with a good base and balance. Ashland was unable to put much pressure (and 0 sacks) on Iciek today.

GRADE: POSITIVE

ADDITONAL GAME NOTES:

GV senior S Jacob McGuckin again led the Lakers with 10 tackles (7 solo) and a tackle for loss ... AU senior WR Nick Bellanco caught just 1 pass for 6 yards - he has caught a pass in 23 consecutive games, but his streak of at least 2 passes per game ends at 22 - he is 4th all-time at AU in receptions at 115 needing just 13 more to move into third place.

Next week the Lakers (8-1, 7-1) host Northern Michigan (5-3, 5-3) and Ashland (4-5, 4-4) hosts the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds (4-5, 3-5).

Is the O-line still kind of the Achilles heal of this team, or...? If Hillsdale could pull the upset I thought maybe AU could too. I.e....what did they do to game plan better than AU did to plan GVSU?

Also, I am VERY pleased to hear they gave Joe a couple carries! Psyched, as a matter of fact!

HC first off, has better personnel on the o and d lines - the Charger o-line was bigger and more physical than the Laker d-line and LBs; last year GV DEs Richard and Skuta terrorized opponents, but without Skuta, Richard has not been as effective. With time to throw, QB Weatherhead took advantage of the weak Laker secondary (the GV achilles' heel - had some injuries and are very young) - on the defensive side, Berube and LBs Szula and Bakker are quicker than the collective Laker o-line - they kept the Lakers in check and their o was able to make some plays and GV wasn't able to (also this year's GV team has not played well on the road - until Ashland!)

Coaching - HC has a great, experienced staff that makes good real-time changes based on what is happening on the field. GV is suffering with head coach Martin as the offensive coordinator (who is an excellent defensive mind, but remember at the beginning of the GV dynasty, it was Brian Kelly running the offense and Martin running the d). Ashland's biggest weakness right now is game time adjustments - since I've watched them (especially in the last 2 years) there have been at least 5 of their 9 losses where AU literally blew out the opponent in the first half, but then lost in the game in the 2nd (just a few weeks agon we scored 33 on Wayne State in the first half, but lost it giving up 4 TDs in the 2nd half and just scoring once).

And yeah, the Ashland O-line is really not effective when opponents bring the heat - and this week we kept the TE in and a RB and still gave up six sacks!

We'll see what happens in the next couple games ...

Citation from GLIAC website - GVSU DE Danny Richard was named defensive player of the week ... he would be one to watch for 2011, but he will probably be drafted as a pitcher - he threw a no-hitter this spring.

Danny Richard - Grand Valley State
(JR, DE, 6-4, 255, West Bloomfield, Mich.)

Richard tallied five total tackles, 2.0 QB sacks (-11), 3.5 tackles for loss (-13) and forced a fumble in No. 6 Grand Valley State’s 34-7 victory over Ashland. Richard was a key part of a Laker defense that sacked AU QB Billy Cundiff six times and limited the Eagles to 49 passing yards, 233 below there per game average and the lowest passing total in a game since 1995. Richard leads the Lakers in tackles for loss with 11 (-43) and QB sacks with six (-31).

In your view is AU doing enough with screens and draws to help out their struggling O-line, Cundiff showed toughness, but he's going to get David Carrized if thy aren't careful.

No ... and when they do run a screen or draw it is usually in a screen/draw situation - 3rd and long inside their own 30 for example. After 4 games, Cundiff had been sacked on about 75% of drop-back plays so AU went to more play action and his production improved ... lately they've gotten back to drop-backs (and getting him drilled for sacks and hurries) - last week they finally called a couple reverses with more motion and this week there are some additional plays and formations being practiced that should help 'divert attention' from Cundiff and maybe break some of the OBVIOUS tendencies the offense has developed. When they do 'break tendencies,' they usually surprise the opponent (ie 3 weeks ago calling a post pattern on 2nd and 9 from their own 4 that went for a 96-yard TD.)