ALLENDALE, Mich. — Quarterback Avery Moore scored the go-ahead touchdown with 35 seconds remaining in regulation to lift No. 2 Grand Valley State University to a 24-21 come-from-behind win over No. 7 Pittsburg State University Saturday (Nov. 25).
The Lakers (11-1) advance to the quarterfinals of the 2023 NCAA Division II National Playoffs to face No. 4 ranked Harding University. The Bison defeated the University of Central Missouri, 35-34, Saturday in the other half of the Super Region III bracket.
Pitt State led 7-0 early in the contest, then fought back from a 14-7 deficit to take a 21-14 lead on Chad Dodson Jr.'s 30-yard touchdown pass to tight end Devon Garrison with 4:35 to play in the third quarter.
The Lakers trimmed the margin to 21-17 on a 31-yard field goal by Josh Gorball with 5:02 remaining in the game.
Pitt State's Antwan Squire ripped off a 12-yard run for a first down. After the GVSU defense snuffed out a second Squire carry for no gain, the Lakers Ian Kennelly intercepted a Dodson pass at the GVSU 22 with 3:21 remaining to help fuel the Lakers rally.
GVSU got a 16-yard run by Tariq Reid and a 22-yard pass from Cade Peterson to Darrel Johnson to move the ball to the Pitt State 40 yard line. The Lakers needed a two-yard run by Reid on 4th-and-1 at the PSU 31 yard line to extend the drive.
Peterson added a 14-yard run to the PSU 10 and Moore capped the drive two plays later.
The Gorillas advanced the ball to the GVSU48 yard line but Colton Hyble sacked Dodson on the game's final play as time expired.
Dodson completed 23 of 34 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jack Roberts with 28 seconds remaining in the second quarter that knotted the score at 14-14.
Noah Hernandez carried the ball nine times for 49 yards for the Gorillas, while Squire had eight rushes for 45 yards including a one-yard first quarter scoring run. Garrison made five receptions for 75 yards.
GVSU capitalized on four Pitt State turnovers – three interceptions and one fumble – in the contest, cashing those miscues into 21 points.
Reid rushed for 65 yards and two scores for the Lakers, while Peterson completed nine of 14 passes for 115 yards with an interception.
Michael Lacey posted a game high 10 tackles in his final collegiate game, while Luke Jennings added eight stops and a quarterback sack. Ryan Medeiros chipped in with six tackles and an interception, while Rico Payton posted three pass breakups.
