ALLENDALE, Mich. — No. 2/3 Grand Valley State downed the Northern Michigan football team, 50-24, Saturday night in front of the second-largest crowd in Lubbers Stadium's history.

The Wildcat offense came alive in the second half, with Shaye Brown connecting with Paris Woods for touchdowns on back-to-back possessions late in the third quarter and Ryan Knight catching his first touchdown pass in the final minutes of the fourth.

But the Lakers' advantage proved to be insurmountable, and Northern Michigan fell to 1-2 (1-1 GLIAC) with its loss.

Grand Valley State, which had outscored its first two opponents of the season by a combined 100-14 margin, scored on its first drive of the game, with Marty Carter rushing 63 yards to the end zone. On their second drive, the Lakers marched 66 yards to the Wildcat five-yard line, but the Northern Michigan defense held fast to force them to settle for a field goal.

On the resulting kickoff, Walter Jackson scampered 101 yards for a touchdown, but the play was called back due to an illegal block in the back. The Wildcats ultimately failed to advance past midfield and were forced to punt.

Carter picked up his second rushing touchdown of the game with 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter. His nine-yard score was set up by Bart Williams connecting with Urston Smith for a 39-yard gain.

After Grand Valley State extended its lead to 23-0 on a 37-yard touchdown reception by Matt Williams, Northern Michigan got on the board on the strength of a 47-yard field goal by Tyler Blackburn.

The Lakers extended their lead on a three-yard touchdown rush by Terrell Dorsey with 3:37 left in the second quarter and a 23-yard touchdown catch by Matt Williams with 10:16 to go in the third. At the half, they led, 30-3.

Brown and Woods teamed to score the Wildcats' first touchdown of the game with 4:57 to go in the third quarter. Woods hauled in a long Brown pass, found space and then raced 34 yards for the score.

On Grand Valley State's next possession, Kainon Clark stripped Dorsey of the ball on the Wildcat 20-yard line. Before that play, the Lakers had scored each time they reached the red zone this season.

Clark's fumble recovery gave Northern Michigan momentum. The Wildcats proceeded to march 80 yards down the field, with Woods capping the team's second-longest drive of the game with a leaping touchdown grab.

Grand Valley State re-seized the momentum behind Carter's third rushing touchdown of the game, this one a 68-yard score. The Lakers tacked on another touchdown with 6:55 to go in the fourth quarter.

With 3:45 left on the clock, Knight finished off a 45-yard drive with six-yard touchdown catch. His touchdown was set up by a 55-yard kickoff return by Keshawn Walker and a 23-yard rush by Jake Mayon.

Brown finished with 225 yards and three touchdowns on 21 of 35 passing. Woods totaled 106 receiving yards while Mayon posted 87 yards on the ground. Julian Hornback and Pat Ryan led the team with nine tackles each.

Walker totaled 209 yards on kickoff returns, an average of 34.8 per return. John Kwiecinski dropped three of his seven punts inside the 20, averaging 39.1 yards per punt.

The Wildcats return to action next Saturday during Homecoming weekend, hosting Northwood at 4 p.m. At halftime, the Northern Michigan athletics department will honor its 2016 Hall of Fame Class: Dave Bradshaw, Jim Grahek, Cory Hartbarger, Morgan Smyth, Jeremy Wilkinson and the 1967 football team.