Valdosta St. one win from Division II crown

VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) A 77-yard touchdown pass, a blocked punt and stifling defense carried Valdosta State to its first national championship game in 23 years. <br> <br> The Blazers (14-0), led by quarterback Buster Faulkner&#39;s 195 passing yards and two touchdowns, beat Texas A&M Kingsville (10-3) on Saturday to advance to the Division II championship game. <br> <br> Valdosta State will play Grand Valley State (Mich.) for the national title in Florence, Ala., next Saturday. Grand Valley (13-0) defeated Northern Colorado 44-7 in the other semifinal. <br> <br> Reggie Mosley tipped Faulkner&#39;s 77-yard pass to himself, beat defender Eddie Moten and outran him into the end zone as the first quarter ended. <br> <br> ``Buster was just taking the snap and throwing downfield,&#39;&#39; Mosley said. ``The cornerback bailed, Buster threw the ball and I stepped in front (of the defender). I tipped the ball to myself and made the catch.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The Blazers didn&#39;t trail the rest of the way. The win puts the school in its first national championship since its 1979 baseball team won that title. <br> <br> Then the 5,128 fans in attendance ran onto the field and tore down the goal posts. <br> <br> ``Our goal was to be national champions on Dec. 14. It&#39;s not to get there, but to be national champions,&#39;&#39; said coach Chris Hatcher. ``Sure enough, we&#39;re going to get that opportunity.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The blocked punt came as Texas A&M-Kingsville kicked on fourth down and C.J. Lofton broke through. The ball bounced to the 5 yard line, where Marquis Turner picked it up and ran in for the touchdown. <br> <br> The Blazers limited the Javelinas to 192 total yards on 72 plays. <br> <br> Texas A&M-Kingsville scored on two field goals by Richard Hammond from 31 and 40 yards and a 1-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Combs.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186800