The Grand Valley State Lakers football program, 2010âÂÂ2019 represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) during the 2010s in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team was led by head coach Matt Mitchell was hired as head coach in January 2010 and held the position through the 2021 season. During the 2010s, the Lakers compiled a 95âÂÂ28 record, won or tied for five conference or divisional championships and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs five times.
The team played its home games at Lubbers Stadium, named after former university president Arend Lubbers, located on GVSU's main campus in Allendale, Michigan.
The 2010 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division II football season. In their first season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled an 11âÂÂ2 record (10âÂÂ1 regular season, 9âÂÂ1 in conference games), won the program's sixth consecutive GLIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 469 to 249. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the tenth consecutive year, defeating before losing to in the second round.
Mitchell was hired as head coach in January 2010, replacing Chuck Martin. Mitchell, age 35, had been the team's defensive coordinator since 2008 and was also the son-in-law of GVSU athletic director Tim Selgo.
Two new teams (Lake Erie and Ohio Dominican) were added to the GLIAC in 2010, bringing the total membership to 14 teams. In a pre-season coaches poll, GVSU was picked to win the conference championship despite having lost players who had generated 80% of its rushing yardage and 100% of its passing yards.
Quarterback Kyle McMahon, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, completed 181 of 320 passes (56.6%) for 2,616 yards, 24 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 143.1 passing efficiency rating. He also tallied 584 rushing yards to lead the team with 3,199 yards of total offense. McMahon was also the team's leading scorer with 80 points on 13 rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion. The team's other statistical leaders included:
The 2011 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2011 NCAA Division II football season. In their second season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled an 8âÂÂ3 record (7âÂÂ3 in conference games), won the GLIAC North championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 466 to 223. The Lakers were not invited to participate in the Division II playoffs for the first time since 2000.
Sophomore quarterback Heath Parling completed 154 of 249 passes (61.8%) for 2,415 yards, 34 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 180.3 passing efficiency rating. He also tallied 128 rushing yards to lead the team with 2,543 yards of total offense (231.2 yards per game). The team's other statistical leaders included:
The 2012 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2012 NCAA Division II football season. In their third season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled an 8âÂÂ3 record (7âÂÂ3 in conference games), won the GLIAC North championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 461 to 347.
Sophomore quarterback Isiah Grimes took over at the position after Heath Parling suffered a season-ending knee injury. Grimes started seven games for the Lakers, completing 119 of 203 passes (58.6%) for 2,213 yards, 22 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 178.1 passing efficiency rating. Other statistical leaders included:
The 2013 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2013 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 12âÂÂ3 record (9âÂÂ2 regular season, 7âÂÂ2 in conference games) and outscored opponents by a total of 525 to 364. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they defeated Saginaw Valley State, No. 3 CSU Pueblo, and No. 19 West Texas A&M before losing to No. 2 Northwest Missouri State in the semifinals.
The team's statistical leaders included Heath Parling with 2,441 passing yards and 27 touchdown passes; Michael Ratay with 1,012 rushing yards; Jamie Potts with 54 receptions for 899 yards; kicker Joel Schipper with 105 points scored; and Jordan Kaufman and Deonte' Hurst with 109 total tackles each.
The 2014 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2014 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 6âÂÂ5 record (6âÂÂ4 in conference games) and outscored opponents by a total of 322 to 266.
The team's statistical leaders included Heath Parling with 2,028 passing yards; Chris Robinson with 889 rushing yards; Jamie Potts with 54 receptions for 905 yards; kicker Joel Schipper with 64 points scored; and Deonte' Hurst with 92 total tackles.
The 2015 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2015 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 12âÂÂ3 record (8âÂÂ2 regular season, 8âÂÂ2 in conference games), tied for second place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 576 to 402. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, defeating No. 3 , No. 2 Ferris State, and No. 4 before losing to No. 5 Shepherd in the semifinals.
Quarterback Bart Williams completed 273 of 480 passes (56.9%) for 4,206 yards, 45 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, and a 153.1 pass efficiency rating. Other statistical leaders included Kirk Spencer with 1,185 rushing yards; Matt Williams with 72 receptions for 1,357 yards; kicker Joel Schipper with 118 points scored; and David Talley with 128 total tackles.
The 2016 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. In their seventh season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 12âÂÂ1 record (11âÂÂ0 regular season, 10âÂÂ0 in conference games), won the GLIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 524 to 275. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, defeating No. 8 Texas A&M Commerce before losing to No. 15 Ferris State in the quarterfinals.
Quarterback Bart Williams completed 202 of 331 passes (61.0%) for 3,334 yards, 33 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 172.5 pass efficiency rating. Running back Marty Carter tallied 1,908 rushing yards on 256 carries (7.5 yards per carry) and scored 126 points on 21 touchdowns.
The 2017 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division II football season. In their eighth season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled an 8âÂÂ3 record (7âÂÂ2 in conference games), finished third in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 411 to 143.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Bart Williams (2,305 passing yards), Marty Cater (931 rushing yards), Brandon Bean (68 receptions, 886 yards, 72 points scored), and Garrett Pougnet (82 total tackles).
The 2018 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. In their ninth season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 10âÂÂ2 record (7âÂÂ1 in conference games), finished second in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 393 to 229.
The team's statistical leaders included Bart Williams (2,556 passing yards), Chawntez Moss (1,028 rushing yards), Nick Dodson (985 receiving yards), kicker J.J. McGrath (81 points), and Tyler Bradfield (88 total tackles).
The 2019 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2019 NCAA Division II football season. In their tenth season under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled an 8âÂÂ3 record (5âÂÂ3 in conference games), finished fourth in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 331 to 187.
The team's statistical leaders included Cole Kotopka (1,716 passing yards), Aryuan Cain-Veasey (737 rushing yards), Austin Paritee (625 receiving yards), kicker Josh Gorball (58 points), and Isaiah Nkansah (97 total tackles).