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Grand Valley's Joe Moran, center, celebrates with the ball after recovering a fumble against Ferris State last Saturday.

(Neil Blake | MLive.com)

It turns out Grand Valley State got more just sole possession of the conference lead with a win against rival Ferris State last week. They moved into first place everywhere.

The Lakers became the winningest program in college football history by percentage. The 35-23 victory against Ferris State raised Grand Valley State's all-time winning percentage to .7321 (377-137-3), a tick ahead of Michigan's .7311 (931-331-36) and Notre Dame's .7308 (894-316-42).

That's with a minimum of 500 games.

"It is obviously a neat accomplishment and anytime you are associated with Michigan and Notre Dame in the conversation of college football it is a good thing," Lakers coach Matt Mitchell said. "I am following some incredible coaches that built a program that has held through the test of time.

The Lakers, ranked second nationally this season, are 6-0 heading into Saturday's 4 p.m. game against Truman State.

Grand Valley, which has had 32 consecutive non-losing season's, is 172-28 (.860) since 2001 with four NCAA DII National Championships, six title game appearances, nine regional championships and nine trips to the NCAA DII semifinals.