AZUSA, Calif. -- In its first game as a full active NCAA Division II member, Azusa Pacific wowed a national television audience with a thrilling 26-23 double-overtime upset of No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State Thursday night.

An Azusa Pacific record attendance of 6,199 along with TV viewers from around the nation watched senior tailback Terrell Watson rush 42 times for 202 yards, the fourth 200-yard game of his career. Watson, who is the Cougars' all-time leading rusher, scored two of his game-high three TDs in overtime, and he rushed on all 11 of the Cougars' offensive snaps in both overtimes to lead his team to the win.

Azusa Pacific took a 13-10 lead into the fourth quarter after Watson scored on a 10-yard run with 4:29 left in the third quarter, his first score of the game. Grand Valley State tied the game on the opening play of the fourth quarter on Joel Schipper's 40-yard field goal.

Those three points were Grand Valley State's only second-half points against a Cougar defense that broke in eight new starters under a new defensive coordinator. The unit surrendered 90 rushing yards and allowed just 294 yards of total offense. Junior LB Errik Manning led the way with a team-high 15 tackles, and redshirt freshman Taliuaki Suliafu added 12 tackles, including three tackles for loss. The Cougars dropped Grand Valley State 10 times behind the line of scrimmage, including four sacks of Laker QB Heath Parling.

With the win, Azusa Pacific won its season opener for the first time since 2010, and the Cougars are now 3-2 all-time in overtime games.