Cody: GVSU football hits the road to Minnesota

Grand Valley State University coach Chuck Martin won't call the NCAA Division 2 playoffs a revenge tour, but it is hard to believe otherwise.

The story lines are just too perfect.

GVSU rarely loses. Only twice in the past two seasons -- by a measly nine combined points -- have the Lakers been on the wrong side of the box score.

This year, Hillsdale College became the first team since 2004 to defeat GVSU in the regular season.

Ironically, the Chargers were also the first team to face Grand Valley's wrath this postseason. A 37-0 halftime lead for the Lakers last Saturday was plenty to reaffirm GVSU's dominance.

Next up is Minnesota-Duluth.

Duluth stunned the Lakers in Allendale last season on their way to a national championship. Round two will feature much of the same talent.

This Saturday, however, they will be facing a different Laker football team. Ever since the Hillsdale loss, GVSU has looked nearly unstoppable.

The Lakers are hungry -- hungry for their first national title since 2006.

Senior quarterback Brad Iciek is playing perhaps his best football of his college career. Running back trio Jimmy Berezik, P.T. Gates and Justin Sherrod are going strong. Receivers have stepped up through injuries. A young offensive line has gelled together.

The defense has flexed its muscles. Danny Richard and Nick Lawrence have terrorized opposing lines (and quarterbacks). The linebacking core has been great. The patchwork defensive backfield has held its own through numerous injuries.

Minnesota Duluth is a great team. However, this Saturday they will run into a dynasty eager to reassert themselves as the best Division 2 college football program in the country.

Revenge is sweet.

GVSU 28, Duluth 17