ALLENDALE, Mich. -- Turnovers proved costly in Michigan Tech's 41-20 loss at #1 Grand Valley State tonight in front of 10,209 fans at Lubbers Stadium. The Huskies had the edge in time of possession and first downs, and compiled 306 yards of total offense to the Lakers' 312 yards.

GVSU jumped ahead, 7-0, after a 54-yard reception by Eric Fowler led to a four-yard touchdown run. Tech answered immediately. Robert Haynes set up the offense at midfield after a 46-yard return. Eight plays later, starting quarterback Drew Schaft scrambled five yards into the endzone. Alex Tiseo's point after try was no good, however, leaving the score, 7-6.

Grand Valley scored twice in under 90 seconds in the second quarter -- the second on a 30-yard interception return by Buster Larkins.

Steve Short entered the game at QB for the Huskies on the next series and drove the Huskies 71 yards in 10 plays. His five-yard run on a draw made the score, 21-13, with 2:46 to play in the second quarter. The Lakers were able to answer quickly by going 61 yards in five plays to make the margin, 28-13 at the half.

After forcing a three-and-out by the Lakers to open the second half, Tech turned the ball over again. This time, Schaft was blindsided on a pass rush and fumbled. GVSU recovered and scored on the next play -- a six-yard run which made the score, 35-13, at the 10:32 mark of the third quarter.

A 41-yard kickoff return by Haynes set up another Tech scoring drive on its next possession. A 17-yard rush by Marvin Atkins and pass completions from Short to Keith White and DeVon Allen had the Huskies in the red zone. Atkins finished off the drive with a five-yard run to close the gap to 35-20.

The Lakers wrapped up scoring at the 11:59 mark of the fourth quarter with a touchdown (but missed extra point). Tech had the ball in Grand Valley territory twice in the final 10 minutes including a trip to the red zone which was stopped when Short was sacked on fourth down at the eight-yard line.

"I thought we played really hard for 60 minutes and I'm really proud of the effort," said first-year head coach Tom Kearly. "The difference was the big pass plays over the top of our defense and the turnovers."

Short completed seven-of-13 passes for 63 yards and finished with a team-high 51 yards rushing. Lee Marana added 49 yards and became the school's third-leading rusher in the process. Atkins added 42 yards on the ground. Allen tallied a career-high four receptions for 33 yards to lead the receiving corps.

Ryan Essex and Cheyne Nelson each tallied six tackles to lead the Tech defensive effort.

Michigan Tech will return home to face Hillsdale in the Huskies' annual Homecoming contest. Kickoff at Sherman Field is set for 1 p.m. For more information on Homecoming events, visit: homecoming.mtu.edu

Notes: Tonight's game was Tech's first football contest against Grand Valley State since the Bash at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Nov. 6, 2004. Last year's matchup vs. the Lakers called off after a quarter of play because of lightning and declared "no contest" . . . Senior safety Jake Meikle was injured in the second quarter and did not play the rest of the game . . . Tech led in time of possession, 31:28 to 28:32.