GVSU, Xavier On Collision Course

Grand Valley State University won big again in the Great Lakes Conference, beating Oakland University 49-0.

In an entertaining, wide open game, GVSU got another strong effort from flyhalf Louis Ricard. The French-trained pivot does well to read the game and spot weaknesses, and he worked well with scrumhalf Steven Gilbert.

Gilbert, added GVSU Head Coach John Mullett, is starting to work effectively with the forward pack.

Center Dylan Bergbower tested the Oakland defense in the midfield and used his size and power to bust holes in the line, while lock/No. 8 Thomas Strandquist, also the team captain, “keeps out work rate high and is good offensively,” said Mullett.

GVSU uses Jared Preston as a center and flanker, and he is good at both, causing problems for opposition defenses and doing so with a broken nose.

Mullett said it’s a good team effort, once more, for his team.

Xavier kept pace with a 71-0 defeat of Marshall.

Fullback Dan Heisterkamp and hooker Pat Carlotti shared player of the game honors. Heisterkamp was very good with his kicking, and Carlotti was active everywhere and scored a try. 

Those two teams now lead their respective divisions by a fairly large margin, and look destined to clash for the conference title. For Xavier, they have just one more league game, against an Eastern Kentucky team they put over 100 points on last week. Xavier Head Coach Shaun Gaffney said his team needs more seasoning.

"I'm trying to find a match with just about anyone to play better competition but everybody's booked," he said.