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GVSU football stunned by late touchdown, Cade Peterson injury in NCAA regional final

SEARCY, Ark. - The Grand Valley State offense struggled to get going in the NCAA Division II Super Region 3 finals. The loss of quarterback Cade Peterson didn't make it any easier.

The No. 2 Lakers lost 7-6 to No. 4 Harding to end their season 11-2 after winning two playoff games.

Peterson, a Harlan Hill Award finalist, left the game in the fourth quarter after taking a hit on a pass. He was on the sidelines in a sling.

Three other quarterbacks saw action and attempted passes.

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Harding took a 7-0 lead with 3:52 remaining in the game on a 1-yard run by quarterback Cole Keylon.

GVSU's Cade Peterson runs the ball for a short gain Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale.
GVSU's Cade Peterson runs the ball for a short gain Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale.

The GVSU defense was spectacular besides that one drive, holding Harding scarless for more than three-and-a-half quarters of football.

Harding rushed for 205 yards but Keylon completed just one pass and the GVSU defense allowed just 225 yards of total offense.

GVSU led 6-0 through three quarters on two field goals from Josh Gorball, both coming in the second quarter.

The GVSU run game struggled, amassing just 62 yards. The Lakers totaled just 222 total yards. The Lakers were just 2-for-12 on third down and 1-for-4 on fourth downs.

It was the first meeting between the teams and the eighth game for the Lakers this season against a ranked opponent.

Peterson was 10-for-19 for 123 yards before exiting.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU football stunned by late touchdown, QB injury in NCAA regional final