DIVISION II FOOTBALL Grand Valley State still remembers 2001 game

The Lakers lost that year to North Dakota on a last-minute touchdown.
FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) -- Grand Valley State has plenty of reason to remember its last meeting with North Dakota.
The Lakers lost on a last-minute touchdown in the 2001 Division II championship game, one of Grand Valley's two losses in the past three seasons.
Today, the teams meet again in a rematch of one of the tightest Division II title games ever.
"Anytime you blow a lead with 30 seconds left, it hurts," Grand Valley strong safety Scott Mackey said. "We always prayed that we'll see them again.
"That dream has come true."
North Dakota (12-1) won its first national title in 2001 when Jed Perkerewicz scored from 1 yard with 29 seconds left.
Defending champions
Grand Valley (13-1) won last season's championship and is 27-1 since facing North Dakota two years ago.
The first North Dakota-Grand Valley matchup was the seventh-lowest combined score since the Division II title game started in 1973.
This season's edition of the Lakers and Fighting Sioux are built more on balance and precision than star power.
Quarterbacks Cullen Finnerty of Grand Valley and John Bowenkamp of North Dakota have nearly identical numbers. Finnery has passed for 2,615 yards with 22 touchdowns, six interceptions and 211 completions, while Bowenkamp has thrown for 2,560 yards with 23 TDs, six interceptions and 212 completions.
"I don't believe there's any one superstar you could pick out on their team or our team," Grand Valley coach Brian Kelly said.
North Dakota coach Dale Lennon agreed, saying: "I really don't see too many weaknesses with them."
Holds statistical edge
Grand Valley has the edge in every major statistical category -- except passing offense.
The Lakers are averaging 222 yards rushing and 229 passing.
They have won seven straight, and only a 10-3 second-round playoff win over Saginaw Valley State was close during that stretch. They're allowing just 65 yards rushing per game.
Running back Michael Tennessee leads the team with 1,595 yards rushing and 59 receptions.
Defensively, Mackey has six of the team's 25 interceptions.
North Dakota receiver Willis Stattelman has 89 catches for 992 yards and eight touchdowns, while Adam Roland leads the way with 962 rushing yards.