Grand Valley State Lakers Football - History - 2000s - 2001

2001

In 2001, the dividends of valuable experience in the young players showed as the Lakers not only won their first ever Division II playoff game, but advanced to the 2001 National Championship. Behind a potent offensive attack, Grand Valley State posted a perfect 10–0 regular season (September 11, 2001 game was canceled) with an average of 58.4 points per game and 48.0 points average margin of victory. GVSU's march to the championship game was not easy, however, as quarterback and Harlon Hill Finalist Curt Anes, was injured in the Lakers' first playoff game. Grand Valley responded with a first round 42–14 victory over Bloomsburg, a 33–30 second round win over Saginaw Valley State, and a semi-final win over Catawba College, 34–16. One of the backup quarterbacks used during this run was actually a wide receiver brought in to run an option style offense when the other young backup ran into difficulty. In the championship game against North Dakota, the Lakers took a 14–10 lead with 2:46 left in the game, but the Fighting Sioux responded with a last minute drive of their own to take the title, 17–14.

Grand Valley finished the season 13–1 overall and set the school record for most wins in a single season. Curt Anes set a single season TD record of 48 and a .697 completion percentage record. David Kircus set a single game touchdown reception record of 5 against Ferris State University. 2001 saw five Lakers win national awards – David Kircus, WR – All-American (AFCA/D2Football/Daktronics/Football Gazette); Curt Anes, QB – All-American (Daktronics/Football Gazette); Dale Westrick, OT – All-American (Daktronics/Football Gazette); Dan Vaughn, DT – All-American (Football Gazette); and Mike Wilford, OL – All-American Honorable Mention (D2football.com).

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