http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/SPORTS030105/612110354/1085/SPORTS
December 11, 2006
Delta State buried by the pass
Grand Valley's quarterback throws for six touchdowns, knock Statesmen out of title hunt
By Steve Ungray
Special to The Clarion-Ledger
Adam Bird/The Associated Press
Delta State's running back Jeremy Ricks (middle) and the Statesmen's offense couldn't rack up enough points to hang with Grand Valley State.
ALLENDALE, MICH. ? Another Mississippi miracle wasn't meant to be.
Despite holding a decisive 10-minute edge in time of possession during the game, Delta State's long drives couldn't hold off the potent quick-strike offense of Grand Valley State and quarterback Cullen Finnerty.
Finnerty's four touchdown passes in the first half and six for the game were enough for the Lakers to sink the Statesmen's championship chances after a 49-30 victory in an NCAA Division II semifinal Sunday at Lubbers Stadium.
The 11th-ranked Statesmen, competing in their first Division II playoff since 2000 and coming off a convincing 27-10 upset of North Alabama in the quarterfinals, end their season with a 12-3 record.
"They took it to us pretty good, although I'd be less than candid if I didn't say this wasn't our best effort," Delta State coach Rick Rhoades said. "It wasn't our night, and we really had a hard time getting in sync offensively, defensively and kicking."
The top-ranked Lakers (14-0) move on to face Northwest Missouri State in Saturday's championship game, the fifth time in six years Grand Valley has reached the final round.