GVSU vs Pittsburg State

[Woodbury]

Grand Valley State and Pittsburg State, two of the top football programs in Division II, announced today a one-year agreement to play on September 13, 2025, at Pittsburg State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Carnie Smith Stadium on the campus of Pittsburg State.

"We are excited to play an outstanding football program in Pittsburg State at an incredible venue and game day atmosphere in Carnie Smith Stadium," said GVSU head coach Scott Wooster. "It is extremely difficult to schedule games at the Division II level and I know our Director of Athletics, Keri Becker, worked hard to schedule this game," added Wooster.

Grand Valley State and Pittsburg State have met just once on the gridiron, with the Lakers claiming a 24-21 victory over the Gorillas in a 2023 NCAA Playoff Second Round meeting in Allendale. GVSU finished the 2024 campaign with an 11-2 record and ranked sixth in the final poll, while PSU finished 8-3 and ranked 14^th.

The Lakers have traditionally played one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules in the country, evidenced by squaring off against the likes of perennial playoff contenders West Florida, Colorado State-Pueblo, Colorado School of Mines, Indianapolis and Delta State.

Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country in terms of winning percentage, boasting a record of 454-153-3 (.747) in 52 years of playing football. The Lakers are coming off their 23^rd NCAA DII Playoff appearance all-time and fourth consecutive. GVSU is 40-20 in NCAA DII Playoff action with four National Championships and six title game appearances. Grand Valley State has won 10 or more games in a season 20 times in the 52-year history of the program, including 18 times since 2001 and four straight. GVSU is the only GLIAC program to win 10 or more games in each of the last four seasons.

The Gorillas made their third straight trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs last fall, after capturing consecutive MIAA Championships in 2022-23. The all-time winningest program in Division II history with 760 victories, Pitt State has made 20 NCAA postseason appearances highlighted by NCAA-II National Championships in 1991 and 2011 and national runner-up finishes in 1992, 1995 and 2004.

[Redwing]

Glad to see that this was able to be nailed down. Also happy it isn't the opener. Interesting that Pitt is playing Ferris and GV in '25 regular season.

[KleShreen]

I used to love that GV scheduled these kinds of games.

But then the coincidences I keep seeing on the main discussion board about how easier early season schedules lead to more success in winning the national title, it makes me think these games do more harm than good to both teams.

[DawgUp]

Pitt shooting to be MIAA and GLIAC champs in 2025. Kudos to them for having a pair.

[ctrabs74]

Glad to see that this was able to be nailed down. Also happy it isn't the opener. Interesting that Pitt is playing Ferris and GV in '25 regular season.

Maybe the GLIAC should just convince Pitt State to join the league...

Still, considering that there's still a perception that the MIAA is a tough conference (whether one actually believes that's the case now is open to debate) and Pitt State's schedule just got infinitely tougher.

[ctrabs74]

I used to love that GV scheduled these kinds of games.

But then the coincidences I keep seeing on the main discussion board about how easier early season schedules lead to more success in winning the national title, it makes me think these games do more harm than good to both teams.

Losing to Pitt State in Week 0 didn't exactly derail Ferris' season.

[KleShreen]

Losing to Pitt State in Week 0 didn't exactly derail Ferris' season.

Right, but they followed it up with essentially glorified scrimmages for 2 of the next 3 weeks against Lake Erie and American International. And on the flip side, *beating* Ferris in Week 0 didn't exactly end up doing any favors for Pitt.

The numbers that Argo keeps presenting in the main forum are very convincing. If you're a team that has 2 of your first 3 games of the season be blowouts, you are more likely to win the championship than someone who challenges themselves with tough opponents.

[Turbonium]

Right, but they followed it up with essentially glorified scrimmages for 2 of the next 3 weeks against Lake Erie and American International. And on the flip side, *beating* Ferris in Week 0 didn't exactly end up doing any favors for Pitt.

The numbers that Argo keeps presenting in the main forum are very convincing. If you're a team that has 2 of your first 3 games of the season be blowouts, you are more likely to win the championship than someone who challenges themselves with tough opponents.

What about teams that blowout tough opponents? There are a lot of variables to those numbers but they're entertaining.

[KleShreen]

What about teams that blowout tough opponents? There are a lot of variables to those numbers but they're entertaining.

They're not generally ending up a tough opponent if you're blowing them out.

[Turbonium]

They're not generally ending up a tough opponent if you're blowing them out.

Not generally but it happens. Like an FCS semifinalst team getting blown out. The numbers are fun but not worth much more than that.

[FSUBulldog27]

Grand Valley State and Pittsburg State, two of the top football programs in Division II, announced today a one-year agreement to play on September 13, 2025, at Pittsburg State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Carnie Smith Stadium on the campus of Pittsburg State.

"We are excited to play an outstanding football program in Pittsburg State at an incredible venue and game day atmosphere in Carnie Smith Stadium," said GVSU head coach Scott Wooster. "It is extremely difficult to schedule games at the Division II level and I know our Director of Athletics, Keri Becker, worked hard to schedule this game," added Wooster.

Grand Valley State and Pittsburg State have met just once on the gridiron, with the Lakers claiming a 24-21 victory over the Gorillas in a 2023 NCAA Playoff Second Round meeting in Allendale. GVSU finished the 2024 campaign with an 11-2 record and ranked sixth in the final poll, while PSU finished 8-3 and ranked 14^th.

The Lakers have traditionally played one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules in the country, evidenced by squaring off against the likes of perennial playoff contenders West Florida, Colorado State-Pueblo, Colorado School of Mines, Indianapolis and Delta State.

Grand Valley State is the winningest FBS, FCS and Division II program in the country in terms of winning percentage, boasting a record of 454-153-3 (.747) in 52 years of playing football. The Lakers are coming off their 23^rd NCAA DII Playoff appearance all-time and fourth consecutive. GVSU is 40-20 in NCAA DII Playoff action with four National Championships and six title game appearances. Grand Valley State has won 10 or more games in a season 20 times in the 52-year history of the program, including 18 times since 2001 and four straight. GVSU is the only GLIAC program to win 10 or more games in each of the last four seasons.

The Gorillas made their third straight trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs last fall, after capturing consecutive MIAA Championships in 2022-23. The all-time winningest program in Division II history with 760 victories, Pitt State has made 20 NCAA postseason appearances highlighted by NCAA-II National Championships in 1991 and 2011 and national runner-up finishes in 1992, 1995 and 2004.

Well done Pitt State - your strength of schedule will leap up for sure playing 2 top 5 teams for your non conference games. Wish more teams did this.

[GorillaTeacher]

Well done Pitt State - your strength of schedule will leap up for sure playing 2 top 5 teams for your non conference games. Wish more teams did this.

We are going to need it. We are going to be begging for a playoff spot against RMAC and LSC teams when our record will be 7-4 or 6-5.