The Grand Valley State Lakers football program, 2020âÂÂpresent represented Grand Valley State University (GVSU) during the 2020s in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team was led by head coaches Matt Mitchell (2010âÂÂ2019, 2021âÂÂ2022) and Scott Wooster (2023â ).
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 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season. In their 11th year under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 10âÂÂ2 record (6âÂÂ1 in conference games), finished second in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 456 to 223. The Lakers lost twice to Ferris State, first in the regular season and then in the NCAA Division II playoffs. It was GVSU's 50th season of college football.
The 2022 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their 12th year under head coach Matt Mitchell, the Lakers compiled a 12âÂÂ1 record (6âÂÂ0 against conference opponents), won the GLIAC championship, and were ranked No. 1 nationally at the end of the regular season. The Lakers defeated five ranked teams during the regular season, including a 25âÂÂ22 victory over No. 4 Colorado Mines in the season opener and rivalry game victories over No. 1 Ferris State and No. 17 Saginaw Valley State.
In the playoffs, the Lakers received a bye in the first round and won in the second round, before losing in the quarterfinals against rival Ferris State.
The team was led on offense by junior quarterback Cade Peterson. Peterson completed 159 of 273 passes for 2,439 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. Junior running back Tariq Reid was the team's leading rusher with 1,027 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 161 carries for an average of 6.4 yards per carry.
The 2023 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Scott Wooster, the Lakers compiled an 11âÂÂ2 record (6âÂÂ0 in conference games), won the GLIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 569 to 215. The Lakers lost in the season opener to Colorado Mines and in the Division II quarterfinals to eventual national champion Harding.
The team's statistical leaders included:
The 2024 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represented Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Scott Wooster, the Lakers compiled an 11âÂÂ2 record (6âÂÂ1 in conference fames), finished second in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 384 to 208. The Lakers lost in the regular season to Ferris State and in the Division II playoffs to Harding.
Quarterback duties were split between Avery Moore (72-of-129 for 1,007 yards) and Ike Udengwu (54-of-97 for 765 yards). Moore also tallied 538 rushing yards. Running back Khalil Eichelberger led the team with 789 rushing yards. Kicker Matthew Bacik was the leading scorer with 83 points (13 field goals and 44 extra points).
The 2025 Grand Valley State Lakers football team represents Grand Valley State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division II football season. Scott Wooster is expected to lead the team in his third season as the Lakers' head coach.