For the early part of the 21st century, Grand Valley State Football was the team to beat in Division II football, and while it has been almost two decades since the Lakers have won a national title, their success certainly hasn’t slowed within the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

In recent years, control of the GLIAC has been a see-saw battle between GVSU and reigning national champion Ferris State, and there haven’t been any indications that things will be different in 2025.

The Lakers are coming off an 11-2 season that saw them fall short of the GLIAC title – to Ferris State – while their campaign concluded against Harding in the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. 

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Grand Valley’s other loss in 2024 was a 34-7 blowout at home against Ferris State in the annual Anchor Bone Classic in October, and that’s what ultimately decided the conference champion.

The Lakers’ continued success has helped GVSU lead the nation in Division II football attendance for 13 consecutive years, along with setting a single-season ticket record in 2024. 

Even though two teams seem to have been dominating the conference, there are more teams improving each year and waiting for one or both of the powerhouse squads to have a down season. The Lakers will need to remain aggressive and aware if they’re going to chase down national title No. 5.

GVSU owns four national titles – 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. Their win in 2002 was the first Division II football national championship for the GLIAC. GVSU was the runner-up to North Dakota in 2001.

At the conference level, Grand Valley State has hoisted the trophy 15 times. The first came in 1977, and the most recent was 2023, marking the 19th overall conference title in program history.

In the years the GLIAC was on hiatus (1990-1998), the Lakers won four Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference titles.

Does GVSU have the motivation and firepower to find some traction in the Division II Playoffs in 2025?

How To Stream Grand Valley State Football Games In 2025

Every GLIAC and home Grand Valley State football game will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app. 

Game replays, highlights and breaking news will also be available on both platforms.

Grand Valley State Football Schedule 2025

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 30 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Lincoln (Pa.)
• Sept. 6 (Sat): 7 p.m. vs. Black Hills State (S. Dakota)
• Sept.13 (Sat): 5 p.m. at Pittsburg State
• Oct.4 (Sat): 4 p.m. vs. Davenport
• Oct.11 (Sat): 7 p.m. at Northern Michigan
• Oct.18 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Saginaw Valley State
• Oct.25 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Ferris State (Anchor Bone Classic)
• Nov. 1 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Wayne State
• Nov.8 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Michigan Tech
• Nov.15 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Roosevelt

What Was The Grand Valley State Football Record In 2024?

11-2 (6-1 GLIAC)

• GVSU 58, Central State 0
• GVSU 24, Colorado State Pueblo 21
• GVSU 20, Wisconsin-La Crosse 13
• GVSU 31, West Florida 7
• GVSU 24, Davenport 7
• GVSU 49, Northern Michigan 17
• GVSU 16, Saginaw Valley State 9
• Ferris State 34, GVSU 7
• GVSU 51, Wayne State 28
• GVSU 20, Michigan Tech 0
• GVSU 34, Roosevelt 21
• GVSU 24, Indianapolis 7
• Harding 44, GVSU 26

When Do The 2025 NCAA Division II College Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Playoffs will be Nov. 22.

The 2025 Division II Football Championship title game will be played Dec. 20, 2025, at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas

College Football Rankings 2024 – Final AFCA Division II Coaches Poll

End Of 2024 Season

1. Ferris St. (Mich.) (27) 14-1  
2. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 13-1  
3. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 12-2  
4. Harding (Ark.) 12-2  
5. Kutztown (Pa.) 11-1  
6. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 11-2  
7. Minnesota St. 11-4  
8. Colorado St.-Pueblo 10-2  
9. Central Oklahoma 11-2  
10. Western Colorado 11-2  
11. Virginia Union 10-4  
12. California (Pa.) 10-3  
13. Bemidji St. (Minn.) 10-4  
14. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 10-2  
15. Charleston (W.Va.) 11-1  
16. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 10-3  
17. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 8-3  
18. West Alabama 9-2  
19. Indianapolis (Ind.) 10-2  
20. Angelo St. (Tex.) 9-3  
21. Wingate (N.C.) 9-2  
22. Miles (Ala.) 10-3  
23. Ashland (Ohio) 9-4  
24. Central Washington 8-4  
25. Augustana (S.D.) 8-4  

Others Receiving Votes: Colorado School of Mines, 56; Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 47; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 38; Central Missouri, 35; West Florida, 20; Southern Arkansas, 16; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 14; New Haven (Conn.), 1; Truman St. (Mo.), 1.

Watch 2024 GVSU Football Highlights

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