HOUGHTON, Mich.— Despite fireworks from Marvin Atkins on the first play from scrimmage, #25 Michigan Tech was defeated, 48-6, by #1 Grand Valley State in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football game at Sherman Field today. Six Michigan Tech turnovers proved costly as the Huskies' nine-game league winning streak was snapped and the Lakers' winning streak was extended to 31 games.

The second-best crowd in school history (3,687) exploded when Atkins took the handoff from the 31-yard line and went untouched 69 yards to paydirt just 12 seconds into the game. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score, 6-0.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, that was their only lead of the game. The two-time defending national champion Lakers answered with 48 straight points starting with a 7-0 lead after a 61-yard touchdown drive less than five minutes into the game.

GVSU scored again in the first quarter for a 14-6 advantage. Tech had a chance to tie the score in the second quarter with a fourth-and-goal from the five-yard line. Steve Short fired a pass to Kirk Williams just inside the endzone. One official signaled touchdown, but it was ruled that Williams didn't have possession long enough.

The Lakers took over on downs and expanded the lead to 21-6 with a 14-play drive. GVSU scored twice more in the half to go into intermission with a 34-6 lead.

Neither team scored an offensive touchdown in the second half. Michigan Tech recovered a fumble on GVSU's first possession of the second half and had first-and-goal from the seven after a spectacular catch from Keith White. Two plays later, Short's pass to the goalline was picked off by Bill Brechin and returned 99 yards for a touchdown and a 41-6 GVSU lead.

A 61-yard interception return in the fourth quarter by the Lakers provided the game's only other points.

Atkins accounted for nearly half of Tech's total offense with a game- and career-high 171 yards on 26 carries. Short was 14-of-30 for 168 yards with four interceptions. White notched a team-high 84 yards on four receptions.

Grand Valley State held a 389-353 advantage in total yardage. Quarterback Brad Iciek was 12-of-22 for 168 yards and two scores. A committee of nine different Lakers tallied 25 yards or more either rushing or receiving.

Ryan Essex totaled 10 tackles to lead the Huskies' defensive effort. Cheyne Nelson had five tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery.

Michigan Tech (3-2 overall, 3-1 GLIAC) will now focus on Hillsdale, who entered Saturday (Sept. 22) undefeated. The Huskies travel to Hillsdale, Mich., for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff next Saturday (Sept. 29).