Curt Anes made plenty of great plays for Grand Valley State in 2002. But one play he didn't make may have been the key to the Lakers winning their first Division II football title.

After failing to cover a fumble in his end zone late in the championship contest, Anes culminated the game-winning drive with his third touchdown pass of the day as Grand Valley State defeated Valdosta State, 31-24, December 14 in Florence, Alabama.

Valdosta State completed its rally from a 24-6 deficit when defensive end Tim Thompson recovered the fumble in the Lakers' end zone and Buster Faulkner connected with C.J. Lofton for the tying two-point conversion with 3:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Anes said he tried to knock the loose ball out of the end zone for a Valdosta State safety. That would have cut Grand Valley State's lead to 24-18, but also would have given the ball back to the Blazers after the ensuing free kick.

Instead, Anes, who was presented the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II's player of the year the evening before the game, recovered to drive the Lakers 68 yards in seven plays. The march featured five Anes completions to wide receiver David Kircus, including a 10-yarder for the title-winning TD with only 64 seconds to play.

Kircus was on the receiving end of all three Anes touchdown tosses as he totaled 11 receptions for a Division II championship-game record 270 yards. The number of total and TD catches tied the records for a championship contest.

For Grand Valley State, the victory provided a much more pleasant outcome than last year's title tilt, when North Dakota scored with 29 seconds to play to win the championship, 17-14. Anes did not play in the game because of a knee injury.

"This means a lot after last season," said Kircus. "We set the goal at the beginning of the season to win a national championship and seeing it come true is an unbelievable experience."

"The thing I am most proud of is the resiliency," said Grand Valley State head coach Brian Kelly. "Valdosta State is a great football team. It showed by the way it charged back at the end."

Anes completed 23 of his 36 pass attempts for 361 yards, another division championship-game high. Terrance Banks made nine catches for 66 yards for the Lakers.

Will Rhody helped Valdosta State's cause with three field goals. Aaron Jenkins rushed for 99 yards, and scored the Blazers' lone offensive touchdown on a seven-yard run late in the third quarter.

Grand Valley State did not lose in 14 games this season, and has won 33 of its last 34 contests. Valdosta State finished the season with a 14-1 record.

Semifinals

Valdosta St. 21, Tex. A&M-Kingsville 12; Grand Valley St. 44, Northern Colo. 7.

Championship

VS -- Will Rhody 26 field goal (6:23); GVS -- Reggie Spearmon 9 run (Dave Hendrix kick) (5:37); GVS -- David Kircus 54 pass from Curt Anes (Hendrix kick) (1:06).

GVS -- Hendrix 38 field goal (12:54); VS -- Rhody 27 field goal (0:34).

GVS -- Kircus 67 pass from Anes (Hendrix kick) (12:28); VS -- Aaron Jenkins 7 run (Rhody kick) (3:51).

VS -- Rhody 43 field goal (3:30); VS -- Tim Thompson fumble recovery in end zone (C.J. Lofton pass from Buster Faulkner) (3:09); GVS -- Kircus 10 pass from Anes (Hendrix kick) (1:04).

Attendance--9,783.

Rushing: Valdosta St. -- Jenkins 20-99, Lee Tarpley 1-1, Tyrone Jordan 1-(minus 7), Faulkner 13-(minus 28); Grand Valley St. -- Brent Lesniak 8-56, Spearmon 14-29, Terrance Banks 1-14, Team 1-(minus 1), Ryan Brady 2-(minus 15), Anes 4-(minus 18).

Passing: Valdosta St. -- Faulkner 26-41-3-139, Bama Adams 1-1-0-42; Grand Valley St. -- Anes 23-36-3-361.

Receiving: Valdosta St. -- Reggie Mosley 9-47, C.J. Lofton 5-35, Jordan 4-57, Jenkins 4-21, Adams 3-15, Greg Lofton 2-6; Grand Valley St. -- Kircus 11-270, Banks 9-66, Mike Holloway 1-12, Spearmon 1-9, Mario Locricchio 1-4.