Dec. 13, 2003
Photo Gallery
Florence, Ala. - Florence, Ala. - Grand Valley State captured its second straight NCAA Division II Football National Championship Saturday (Dec. 13) with a 10-3 victory over the University of North Dakota at Braly Municipal Stadium. Grand Valley State, which captured the 2002 NCAA title with a 31-24 victory over Valdosta State, becomes just the seventh team to win back-to-back titles. Senior linebacker Mike Hoad sealed the victory when he picked off UND quarterback John Bowenkamp at the Grand Valley State five yard line with 20 seconds left in the game. The loss also avenged a 17-14 loss to North Dakota in the 2001 title game when UND scored with 29 seconds left in the game.
Grand Valley State opened the game with a 17-play, 79-yard drive that culminated with a David Hendrix 19-yard field goal. The drive consumed 7:28 of the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Cullen Finnerty completed 6-of-8 passes for 47 yards on the drive en route to the field goal. The Laker defense, which held three straight playoff teams without a TD (12 straight quarters), stopped a North Dakota scoring opportunity late in the first quarter when the Fighting Sioux recovered a Laker fumble at the GVSU 47 yard line. UND drove 18 yards to the GVSU 29 yard line, but Jeff Glas was wide left with a 29-yard field goal attempt. GVSU drove inside the North Dakota 30 yard line on two occasions in the second quarter, but failed on two fourth down opportunities. GVSU dominated the opening two quarters, outgaining UND 197-60 in total offense. GVSU held the ball for 19:41 compared to UND's 10:19 and held North Dakota to -2 yards rushing and just two first downs in the opening 30 minutes.
North Dakota's best scoring opportunity for a TD in the game came on its first drive of the second half when the Fighting Sioux drove to the GVSU six yard line. UND faced a third and goal when outside linebacker Lucius Hawkins blitzed and forced a Bowenkamp fumble that he then picked up and raced 59 yards to the North Dakota 20 yard line. Finnerty rushed 18 yards to the Fighting Sioux two on first downand then Michael Tennessee scored from two yards out on third down to give GVSU a 10-0 lead.
UND drove 64 yards to the GVSU 26-yard line on its next possession, but all-american defensive tackle Keyonta Marshall blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt by Glas and the Lakers took over on its own 26. Laker punter Matt Regnery pinned UND on its own 15-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but the Fighting Sioux 67-yards in 14 plays and finally got on the board with a Glas 35-yard field goal. The Lakers could have sealed the victory on its next drive, driving 50 yards in 10 plays to the Fighting Sioux 25 yard line. However, AFCA First-Team All-American place kicker David Hendrix was short on a 43-yard attempt and UND had one last chance. North Dakota drove 58 yards in 12 plays prior to Hoad's game-winning interception.
Cullen Finnerty rushed for 78 yards on 19 carries, while completing 19-of-29 passes for 149 yards. Micah Staley, Mario Locricchio and Michael Tennessee each caught four passes. Michael Tennessee rushed for 38 yards and one TD on 12 carries. Scott Mackey led the defense with 12 tackles. William Gray added 12 tackles and Lucius Hawkins notched seven and returned a fumble 59 yards.
Post-game Quotes... Head Coach Brian Kelly "We played great competition and had to play at our very best again, and I give North Dakota a great deal of credit. But our defense has answered the bell the last three weeks and did not allow a touchdown in 12 consecutive quarters of playoff competition."
"Last year we here because of our offense, this year we're here because of our defense. This game can be won in many different ways and we won it today playing great defense and not making mistakes on offense."
Mike Hoad on his game-clinching interception - "I was just dropping; looking for a dig and I saw they were running that dig. He just came across and I came under him and the QB threw it right to me."
Game Notes...The 2003 NCAA title game was the second lowest scoring game ever. The lowest was a 3-0 win by Mississippi College over Jacksonville State in 1989....The GVSU rushing defense held North Dakota to just 22 yards rushing, the lowest rushing total in a title game since UC Davis gained just 18 yards versus Southwest Texas State in 1982...The Laker defense held three straight playoff opponents without a TD. Saginaw Valley State, Texas A&M-Kingsville and North Dakota were held to field goals...Grand Valley State has won eight straight NCAA DII Playoff games and 11 of its last 12...GVSU is 47-2 in its last 49 games...GVSU is the first NCAA DII playoff team to win four straight road games en rout to an NCAA Championship. Northern Colorado accomplished the feat in 1997...The 2003 Grand Valley State senior class concluded their careers with a 48-6 four-year record...The GVSU defense held 11 of 15 opponents to 100 yards rushing or less...GVSU has picked off 74 passes in its last 43 games...GVSU held five opponents without a TD in 2003 (UC Davis, Saginaw Valley State, Texas A&M-Kingsville and North Dakota...Grand Valley State is a plus 21 in turnovers in the last eight games...The victory over North Dakota was the 240th in Laker football history...Grand Valley State's final mileage total for the 2003 season was 13,373 miles and 10 road games...
