PREVIEW: Ferris State Visits Northwest Missouri State For National Semifinal Saturday

This Week: The Ferris State University Bulldogs will square off against defending national champion Northwest Missouri State in the 2016 NCAA Division II National Semifinals this Saturday (Dec. 10). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. (ET) at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville, Mo.

The Bulldogs are currently 12-2 overall this season and have won their last eight games in a row to date this season after recording their third-straight playoff victory with a 47-32 triumph over archrival Grand Valley State in the Super Region Four Championship Game last Saturday (Dec. 3) at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale.

Northwest Missouri State, which is ranked #1 in the country, owns a 28-game winning streak and is 13-0 overall this season. The Bearcats are midst their 13th consecutive NCAA-II Playoff appearance.

Ticket Information: Ticket prices for the playoff game are $15 for reserved seats for ages 3 and up along with $5 for college students with valid ID. Fans can call the Northwest Missouri State Ticket Office at 660-562-1212 and request tickets in the designated Ferris State assigned area (sections FF & GG).  The Northwest Missouri State Ticket Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CT) Monday thru Friday. The box office will open at noon (CT) on Saturday with the stadium gates opening at 1 p.m. Ticket buyers will have the option to get tickets emailed to them or placed at will-call on game day.

Media/TV Coverage: Saturday's game will be carried live locally by the Bulldog Sports Network and Sunny 97.3 FM with the veteran broadcast team of Rob Bentley (play-by-play) and Sandy Gholston (color) calling the action. Pregame coverage gets underway at 2:30 p.m. (ET). The contest will be streamed with FREE live audio online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com with video coverage online via ESPN3. Live internet statistics and live social media updates will be available on several platforms.

Follow On Twitter: In addition to radio and internet coverage, Bulldog fans can also follow Saturday's contest with live scoring updates on several official social media platforms.  Visit www.twitter.com/FerrisFootball to follow the tweet-by-tweet coverage with periodic scoring updates or visit www.facebook.com/FerrisFootball.

First-Ever Matchup: Saturday's game will represent the first-ever series' matchup between Ferris State and Northwest Missouri State. It will also mark the Bulldogs' first-ever game against a school from Missouri and first-ever contests versus a current MIAA school. The Bulldogs' previous NCAA Playoff games this year against Midwestern State (Texas) and Colorado Mines also represented the first-ever matchups against both schools.

The Playoff Field: The semifinal matchups were announced by the NCAA on Saturday night after the four remaining teams were reseeded following the conclusion of quarterfinal-round play.  Northwest Missouri State is the #1 seed remaining in the playoff field with FSU seeded fourth overall. Second-seeded Shepherd (W.Va.) will host third-seeded North Alabama in the other semifinal contest. The national title game takes place Saturday, Dec. 17, in Kansas City.

Eighth NCAA Playoff Berth: This year marks Ferris State's eighth all-time NCAA Division II Playoff appearance and the school's third in a row after previously not making the field since 1996 prior to the 2014 season. Overall, FSU has now compiled a 9-7 all-time playoff record. This year marks the Bulldogs' second-ever trip to the national semifinals and matches the 1995 squad, which fell on the road at North Alabama, for the highest finish in school history. Along with making the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015, the Bulldogs also captured back-to-back GLIAC Championships. Before the last two years, FSU had not won a league title since 1999. The 2014 outright title was the school's first since 1996. Overall, last year represented the ninth conference title in Bulldog football history.

First Postseason Road Win: Last Saturday's game against Grand Valley State represented only the second-ever postseason matchup between the two longtime West Michigan rivals, but it was also the second year in a row as FSU avenged a 38-34 victory in round two last year at home. The victory over the Lakers last week also gave the Bulldogs their first-ever postseason road win as Ferris State had been 0-3 on the road in the playoffs all-time.

Deepest Postseason Run In 21 Years: Ferris State is midst its deepest NCAA Playoff run in 21 years since reaching the NCAA Division II National Semifinals in 1995, which represented the highest finish in school history prior to this year. The Bulldogs also made the postseason in 1996 along with 2014 and 2015, but did not make it past the second round. This Saturday's game will mark the latest game ever played in school history as FSU is now 1-1 all-time in the month of December after last week's win. The only other game played by FSU in the final month of the year took place on Dec. 2,1995, when FSU fell 45-7 in the national semfinals on the road at North Alabama.

Playoff Victory Over GVSU: Ferris State pulled out one of the biggest wins in school history last Saturday (Dec. 3) as FSU recorded its first-ever NCAA playoff road victory with a thrilling 47-32 triumph over archrival Grand Valley State in the Super Region Four Championship Game at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. With the victory, Ferris State tied a school-record by claiming its 12th win of the year to advance to the national semifinals. The Bulldogs avenged last year's second-round playoff loss to the Lakers by winning their eighth consecutive game this season. The most recent FSU setback was a 35-23 decision at the hands of the Lakers on Oct. 8 in Allendale. Senior quarterback Trevor Bermingham scored four second-half touchdowns in the win for the Bulldogs before a crowd of more than 12,000 fans in West Michigan.

Big Home Playoff Win: Ferris State advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs by beating Colorado Mines 38-17 two weeks ago (Nov. 26) at FSU's Top Taggart Field. The Bulldogs used a pair of late first-half scores to take a 24-10 halftime edge and then sealed the triumph with a 63-yard TD pass for the only score of the fourth quarter in beating the Orediggers in the first-ever series matchup. Senior QB Trevor Bermingham threw for a career-high 392 yards on 19-of-30 passing and accounted for five touchdowns in the victory for FSU. Senior receiver Shakur Sanders also had a big day with eight catches for a career-best 214 receiving yards in the win. Senior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo paced the FSU defense with a game-high 14 tackles as Ferris State limited one of the nation's top offensive units to only 17 points (33 points below their scoring average).

FSU Playoff Victory: Ferris State opened its third-straight NCAA Division II Playoff appearance with an impressive 65-34 triumph over Midwestern State (Texas) on Nov. 19 at FSU's Top Taggart Field. The Bulldogs fought back from a 20-10 deficit early in the second quarter to take a 30-10 halftime edge and then cruised to the victory in the second half over the seventh-seeded Mustangs in the first-ever matchup between the two schools. QB Trevor Bermingham led FSU with a game-high 126 yards rushing and five TD's while completing eight-of-10 passes for 126 yards and a score. Jajuan Pollock had 92 yards rushing while tailback Marvin Campbell added 92 yards on 15 tries. Defensively, senior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo had a team-high 12 tackles for the FSU defense. The Bulldogs' 65 points in the win were the most ever scored by a FSU team in playoff action.

The National Rankings: Ferris State was ranked #15 in the most recent American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II National Poll prior the playoffs. FSU had dropped out following a regular-season road loss at Grand Valley State after having been listed in the poll for 31 consecutive weeks dating back to week one of the 2014 campaign. Most recently, Ferris State was also listed 14th by D2Football.com. In addition, FSU is now #4 nationally in the Massey Online Computer Rankings along with 3rd according to the CompughterRatings.com Division II poll. Ferris State's current strenghth of schedule is listed 13th in the nation according to the Massey Ratings.

Home Sweet Home: This year not only represented the Bulldogs' third-straight NCAA Playoff appearance, but it was also the third year in a row in which FSU played host to at least one playoff game at Top Taggart Field. In 2014, the Bulldogs hosted a playoff game for the first time in 18 years, falling to league rival Ohio Dominican 46-33 while making their first postseason berth since 1996. Last year, FSU topped Texas A&M Commerce 48-30 in the first round at home before suffering a 38-34 setback to GLIAC rival Grand Valley State in the second round at Top Taggart Field. The Bulldogs' game at GVSU this past week ended a stretch of fifth-straight postseason home games over the past three seasons for FSU.

Road Playoff Game: Last Saturday's visit to Lubbers Stadium represented the Bulldogs' first postseason road game since Dec. 2, 1995, when FSU fell at North Alabama 45-7 in the national semifinals. The Bulldogs' last seven NCAA Playoff games had all been at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids prior to last week, including two games in 1996, one in 2014, two in 2015 and two in 2016. It also marked FSU's first-ever postseaosn visit to Lubbers Stadium. Ferris State is now 1-3 all-time on the road in the NCAA Division II Playoffs with losses at New Haven in 1992, Indiana (Pa.) in 1993 and North Alabama in 1995.

Super Region Champs: Ferris State claimed the Super Region Four Championship last week. FSU had moved up to #2 in the final NCAA Division II Super Region Four listing when the playoff field was announced. The number one seed in the region was given to Grand Valley State, which received the region's first-round bye. The other two first-round matchups in round one included third-seeded Southwest Baptist (Mo.) falling to sixth-seeded Colorado Mines at home along with fourth-seeded Texas A&M Commerce beating fifth-seeded Colorado Mesa at home. A total of 28 teams from the four super regions received NCAA Playoff berths.

Big Win Season: This year marks only the fifth time in school history in which the Bulldogs have won at least 11 games in a campaign, but also the third year in a row. FSU has matched the school-record of 12 wins set in 1995 (12-1) and the Bulldogs also notched 11 wins in 1994 (11-1), 2014 (11-1) and 2015 (11-1). The past three seasons, 2014-16, represents the first time in which the Bulldogs have notched at least 11 wins three years in a row. Ferris State can surpass the all-time single-season win mark by claiming victory #13 this Saturday.

Back On The Road: Ferris State hits the road again this week for round four of the playoffs after having played six of seven games during its current winning streak at home in Big Rapids before last week. The lone road contest over the seven-week spand had been a 41-20 triumph at Hillsdale on Nov. 5. Overall, the Bulldogs are 7-1 at home and 5-1 on the road to date this season with the lone road setback a 35-23 loss at GVSU during the regular-season on Oct. 8 in Allendale. It was FSU's last loss this year and also snapped a 16-game road winning streak for the Bulldogs dating back to the 2013 campaign. This season's eight home games were the most home contests in a single-season in school history.

Eight-Straight Wins: Prior to the three playoff wins this season, Ferris State closed the regular-season with a decisive 51-17 triumph over Saginaw Valley State (Nov. 12) at Top Taggart Field. FSU had recorded a 41-20 road victory over Hillsdale the previous week (Nov. 5) for its first victory at Muddy Waters Stadium since 2003. FSU opened the final five-game stretch of the regular-season with three-straight home wins. The Bulldogs opened a three-game homestand by beating Northern Michigan 45-23 in Big Rapids (Oct. 15). The Bulldogs then followed the win up with a 42-10 triumph over Lake Erie (Oct. 22). Finally, FSU won a key game with playoff implications as the Bulldogs topped then 19th-ranked Wayne State 42-20 on Oct. 29 in Big Rapids. In each of the final five regular-season games, FSU jumped out to a decided advantage and had the opportunity to work reserves into the action in the second half.

Harlon Hill Trophy Nominee: First-year Bulldog junior quarterback Reggie Bell was one of the 42 candidates for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy presented to Division's II top player in the country. Overall, a total of 42 student-athletes from across the nation were nominated for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. The list of candidates was announced by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee. The junior standout was one of 11 nominees for the prestigious award from Super Region Four and among five from the GLIAC up for the honor. Presently, he's ran for 1,156 yards in 12 games and scored 16 touchdowns this year. He's also completed 167 of 275 passes for 2,073 yards and 11 scores.

Strong Finish: FSU wrapped up the regular-season with five-straight wins. Ferris State has now won at least two of its final three games of a year 19 times in the last 27 seasons dating back to 1990, including seven of the last 11 years to date. The Bulldogs have won 55% (44-36) of their final three games of a campaign since 1990, but the figure jumps to 64% (51-29) counting regular-season games only and not playoff action. The Bulldogs have won all three of their final regular-season games in each of the past three years.

The Last Loss: Ferris State avenged its most recent defeat with a win over Grand Valley State last week. In the regular-season matchup this year, FSU fought back in the second half, but a valiant comeback fell short at Lubbers Stadium as the second-ranked Lakers posted a 35-23 triumph in the Anchor-Bone Classic on Oct. 8 in Allendale. A record crowd of 16,889 fans for the West Michigan showdown saw the host Lakers bolt out to a 28-6 halftime edge. The Bulldogs, though, rallied in the second half and cut the margin to 28-23 in the fourth quarter before the Lakers came up with a critical touchdown drive and held off the Bulldogs for the win. FSU rolled up 570 yards of total offense to only 350 for GVSU as junior QB Reggie Bell accounted for nearly 500 yards of total offense with 140 yards on the ground along with throwing for 343 yards on 19-of-39 passing.

AFCA All-American: Ferris State sophomore defensive end Zach Sieler has been honored as a 2016 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II All-America Second Team selection and is also among the national nominees for the 2016 Cliff Harris Small College Defensive Player of the Year Award. This year, Sieler was the GLIAC's Defensive Lineman of the Year and presently has recorded 18.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss this year, which both rank as school records. FSU has more AFCA All-Americans (17) in school history than any other GLIAC school.

All-Region Honorees: FSU had a region-best five football standouts garner 2016 Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCCA) All-Super Region Four accolades this year. Overall, a total of six Bulldogs received all-region honors for the 2016 season with five named to the first team and one other claiming second-team recognition. FSU's six total selections were the second-most of any school in the region. The Bulldogs' first-team region picks included junior offensive lineman Jake Daugherty on the offensive side of the ball along with a region-best four first-team defensive selections. The defensive honorees include sophomore end Zach Sieler, senior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo, junior cornerback Tavierre Thomas and senior punter Trevor Bermingham. Meanwhile, sophomore offensive tackle Devon Johnson was FSU's lone second-team honoree in voting by the region's sports information directors.

What A Finish: In the last four games, Ferris State senior quarterback Trevor Bermingham has accounted for 20 total touchdowns. He's ran for 16 scores and thrown for four more in the stretch, which includes his first career start in the regular-season finale against Saginaw Valley State along with the first three playoff contests for the Bulldogs.

Top 15 Showdown: Both Ferris State and Grand Valley State headed into last Saturday's contest ranked among the top 15 teams in the nation in the msot recent national poll and it represented the eighth time in series' history in which both squads had been ranked in the major D2 national poll at kickoff. FSU was listed 15th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Rankings entering the playoffs while GVSU was second overall. It also marked the second-straight year in which both teams had been ranked among the top 15 nationally at kickoff time. Last year, when the Bulldogs notched a decisive 61-24 regular-season victory in Allendale, it represented the first time both teams had been in the top 15 in 20 years since a 30-21 FSU victory over the Lakers on Sept. 30, 1995, in Big Rapids. Previously, the two squads were also both found in the national rankings at kickoff time in 1993, 1994 and 2008 in addition to 1995 and the last two falls. FSU now owns a 4-3-1 mark all-time against the Lakers when both squads are nationally-ranked. Last Saturday's game marked the fourth-straight matchup in which both teams had been ranked among the top 15 at kickoff.

Nine League Wins: FSU recorded its ninth GLIAC win this season with a victory Nov. 12 over Saginaw Valley State, which represented the third-straight year the Bulldogs had accomplished the feat. FSU has won at least eight league games each of the past four years. Ferris State had posted seven wins in GLIAC play only four times in 17 years dating back to the 1990's prior to the past four seasons. Before the 2013-15 campaigns, in which FSU recorded league records of 8-2 and back-to-back 10-0 marks, Ferris State had not claimed eight league victories since winning nine conference games en route to the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference title in 1996.

Senior Class: FSU held its annual Senior Day as the Bulldog Football program honored and recognized a 20-member senior class in a special pregame ceremony prior to the final regular-season game versus Saginaw Valley State (Nov. 12). This year's class of seniors includes Shakur Sanders, Jamel Lockett, Trevor Bermingham, Brady Sheldon, Jalen Couch, Juwan Lewis, Kitwana Clark, David Churchwell, Kyle Kujawa, Anthony Darkangelo, Maurice Nash, Nick Huckabay, Torrey Appel, Corey Arnouts, Hunter Thompson, Bryan Bell, Chad Burnside, Jordan Williams, Kenny Feyh and Kyle Thompson. Together, they have helped FSU to two GLIAC Championships and three NCAA Playoff berths in their collegiate careers.

Regular-Season Stat Performers: Defensive end Zach Sieler led the GLIAC in tackles for loss (2.0 pg.) and sacks (1.27 pg..). He finished the regular-season ranked fourth nationally in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss .... The FSU defense was third in the GLIAC in turnovers forced this year in the regular season with 23 .... The Bulldog defense was first in the league and 24th in the country in rushing defense (105.6 ypg.) .... FSU ranked ninth nationally in rushing (267.4 ypg.) ... Ferris State was second in the GLIAC and 33rd in the nation in pass interceptions this year (15) ... Cornerback Tavierre Thomas was second in the league and 25th in the country in interceptions per game while safety Willie Smith was third in the league and 53rd in the nation in the same category .... Kicker Wyatt Ford was first in the league and 17th nationally in field goals per game (1.18 pg.) ... Anthony Darkangelo ranked sixth in the GLIAC in tackles (9.3 pg.) .... FSU junior QB Reggie Bell was first in the GLIAC and 12th in the nation in total offense (312.7 ypg.) .... The Bulldogs have had two 100-yard rushers three times this year as quarterback Reggie Bell and tailback Jahaan Brown both topped the 100-yard rushing mark in the same contest against Michigan Tech, Ashland and Northern Michigan  ... FSU was also first in the country in net punting this year (40.95) and 25th in sacks (3.00 pg.) during the regular-season.

Fred Mitchell Award Finalist: Bulldog junior kicker Wyatt Ford has officially been chosen as one of 10 national finalists for the 2016 Fred Mitchell Award presented to the nation's most outstanding kicker. The announcement was made by the Fred Mitchell Award Committee and the award is presented to the top placekicker on the Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA level who excels on and off the football field. This year's award recipient will be named on Dec. 13 with the honor to be presented on Feb. 20, 2017, at the National Football Foundation Chicago Chapter Awards Ceremony at historic Halas Hall in suburban Chicago.  Ford, who was named to the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List Of Excellence for his performance in both September and October of this season, is among only three Division II kickers on the list of 10 national finalists and the only placekicker from a GLIAC or Michigan-based school.

The 108th Season: The 2016 campaign represents the Bulldogs' 108th season of varsity competition.  The program actually began in 1900, but no football was played in 1908-09, 1917-18, 1932 and from 1942-45 for various reasons.  Additionally, no scores are available from either the 1912 or 1916 seasons.  Ferris has posted an all-time record of 426-440-40 to date.

One Of Best In The Country: Since the start of the 2013 season, the Bulldogs are close behind defending national champion Northwest Missouri State for the fewest losses of any NCAA Division II team in the country. The Bearcats have only a pair of losses in the past three seasons. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have recorded back-to-back 11-1 seasons along with a 12-2 mark this year. Ferris State also holds the GLIAC's best mark and the best overall record of all 21 collegiate programs in Michigan at 49-11 overall since the arrival of head coach Tony Annese in 2012.

NFL Trio: The Bulldogs had three former players from last season in National Football League (NFL) Training Camps this summer. Former two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winning quarterback Jason Vander Laan was with the New York Jets as a tight end while defensive tackle Justin Zimmer played for the Buffalo Bills. Wideout Jake Lampman is still with the New Orleans Saints and was activated for the first time recently, making three key special teams tackles in a 41-38 home win over Carolina in his debut. All three signed as undrafted free agents shortly after the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Records: Ferris State (12-2, 9-2 GLIAC) posted an 11-1 overall mark in 2015 and won a second-straight GLIAC title with a perfect 10-0 league record. In 2014, Ferris State finished 11-1 overall and won the GLIAC with a perfect 10-0 conference mark, becoming the first team in the GLIAC North to finish league play unbeaten since 2008 before doing it again this year. In 2013, FSU posted an 8-3 overall record and placed second in the GLIAC North Division standings with a 8-2 conference mark. FSU, which won seven games in head coach Tony Annese's debut season in 2012, has presently won 38 of its last 42 contests overall.

Northwest Missouri State owns a 13-0 overall record this year and captured the MIAA title with a perfect 11-0 conference slate. The Bearcats have won 28-straight games and are the defending NCAA Division II National Champions.

The Coaches: Ferris State – Tony Annese (Alma, 1983), 5th season, 49-11-0 (.817) – (0-0 vs. NW Missouri State).  Annese recorded a 195-41 (.826) mark as a head coach in four stops at the high school level before totaling a 30-4 (.882) record in three years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College.  His overall career mark at all levels is 274-56 (.830) to date and includes three prep state championships and two national JUCO crowns. He coached his 300th career game at all levels in 2014 and notched his 270th victory versus Hillsdale this season.

Northwest Missouri State - Adam Dorrel (NW Missouri State, 1998), 6th season, 74-8 (.902); Career: 6th season, 74-8 (.902) - (0-0-0 vs. Ferris State). A Maryville native, Dorrel was an All-America offensive lineman during his collegiate career for the Bearcats. As head coach, Dorrel has led Northwest to a pair of NCAA National Championships, four MIAA titles and has appeared in the NCAA playoffs all six seasons. He formerly served as an assistant coach in the program.

Preseason Top 20: Ferris State was a consensus top 20 team in the preseason and was tabbed as the nation's #12 team entering the season, according to the American Football Coaches Association Rankings. FSU was also ranked eighth in the Massey Ratings, ninth by D2Football.com, 14th by CompughterRatings.com, 17th by The Sporting News and 20th by Lindy's Division II Magazine.

Breaking The Mark: The Bulldogs broke the school-record for most consecutive wins overall back in 2014. FSU had won 15 games in a row overall dating back to the 2013 season before falling to Ohio Dominican in the 2014 NCAA Division II Playoffs. Previously, FSU won its opening 12 games in 1995 before falling in the Division II National Semifinals, which was the Bulldogs' best finish in school history. FSU has presently won 34 of its last 36 regular-season games overall.

Year Five Under Annese: A proven winner at all of his previous coaching stops and highly-regarded across the country, Tony Annese is directing the Bulldogs for the fifth time this fall. He came to FSU following three impressive years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College, which came on the heels of a highly successful 25-season stint at the prep level.  He has an overall career head coaching record of 274-56 (.830) and was 30-4 (.882) as a JUCO coach at GRCC.

Preseason All-American: Ferris State junior center Jake Daugherty was a consensus Preseason All-American for the Bulldogs heading into the 2016 campaign. The local Big Rapids product received acclaim from virtually every source in the presason, including Sporting News, Lindy's, Football Gameplan and more. Daughterty has started every game for the Bulldogs at center the last two years as FSU has ranked among the national leaders in rushing and total offense.

Returning All-American: Junior center Jake Daugherty returns as an All-American for the Bulldogs after garnering Football Gazette Division II First Team laurels a year ago. In addition, sophomore offensive lineman Devon Johnson was a Freshman All-American last season as one of the country's top rookies, according to USA College Football. Additionally, current senior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo garnered first-team all-region accolades last campaign from Football Gazette.

Big Senior Day: Ferris State University senior quarterback Trevor Bermingham (Addison, Ill.) had a huge senior day against Saginaw Valley State in the regular-season finale. Bermingham got the start at QB and tallied 186 yards rushing on eight carries (23.3 ypc.) in FSU's decisive 51-17 triumph. He scored four times on the ground, including TD runs of 69 and 68 yards, while completing 10-of-12 passes for 195 yards and a score in one-half of action. 

Nation's Top Rushing QB: This year marked the fifth consecutive year a Ferris State quarterback had been the nation's top rushing quarterback in Division II during regular-season action as Reggie Bell's 1,081 yards on the ground this year were the most of any signal caller in the country. Previously, two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winning QB Jason Vander Laan led all quarterbacks in rushing in D2 football each of the past four years.

All-GLIAC Honorees: A total of 15 Ferris State players received All-GLIAC recognition and the Bulldogs brought home a major award as the league unveiled its 2016 all-conference teams. In the all-conference voting conducted by the league's 15 head coaches, Ferris State sophomore defensive end Zach Sieler (Pickney) claimed the league's "Defensive Lineman of the Year" honor. He led the league in both sacks and tackles for loss this season while being ranked in the top five nationally in both categories. Overall, Ferris State placed five student-athletes on the All-GLIAC First Team with four others earning All-GLIAC Second Team status and six attaining honorable mention recognition.

On the All-GLIAC First Team, Ferris State was represented by sophomore offensive tackle Devon Johnson (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley). He was joined on the defensive side by Sieler along with cornerback Tavierre Thomas (Detroit/Allen) and senior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo (Brighton/Detroit Catholic Central). Senior Trevor Bermingham (Addison, Ill.) was tabbed as the league's first-team punter. FSU's four second-team selections included tailback Jahaan Brown (East Grand Rapids), center Jake Daugherty (Big Rapids), defensive tackle Corey Arnouts (Grand Ledge) and punt returner Jajuan Pollock (Bradenton, Fla./Manatee). Finally, the list of Bulldog honorable mention all-league choices consisted of senior offensive tackle Bryan Bell (Walled Lake, Mich./Central), senior linebacker Nick Huckabay (Montrose/Hill-McCloy), senior receiver Shakur Sanders (Kentwood/Ottawa Hills), senior defensive back David Churchwell (Muskegon), junior safety Willie Smith (Bradenton, Fla./Manatee) and junior quarterback Reggie Bell (Los Angeles, Calif.).

Second In GLIAC Poll: The two-time defending GLIAC Champion Ferris State University football team was projected to finish second in the conference standings as the 2016 GLIAC Football North Division Preseason Poll was announced. Ferris State picked up 45 total points and three first-place votes to rank second in the division just behind archrival Grand Valley State. The Lakers were first with 47 points and five top votes. The two squads were followed by Michigan Tech in third place (35 points) and Wayne State in fourth (30).

School Record Victory: With the victory this season at Northwood in week three, Ferris State set a school record with its 28th-straight regular season win dating back to the 2013 season prior to a loss Sept. 24 at home against Ashland. FSU previously won 27 consecutive regular-season outings in a row from Oct. 23, 1993 to Sept. 14, 1996. FSU was a consensus top-five team in virtually every major NCAA Division II national poll last year. The Bulldogs' 28-game regular season win streak was the longest in the country prior to being snapped by Ashland this season.

National Player of Week: Ferris State senior punter Trevor Bermingham (Addison, Ill.) garnered National Player of the Week accolades following FSU's win over Wayne State. Bermingham had a big day for the Bulldogs in the victory. He punted four times for 221 yards and pinned the Warriors back inside their own 20-yard line four times in the game. The senior specialist averaged 55.3 yards per punt with a long of 64 yards and flipped the field several times as the Bulldogs won the battle of field position.  Along with his punting chores, Bermingham also served as the Bulldogs' holder on kicks and came on in relief of junior signal caller Reggie Bell to see action as the FSU quarterback in the dominating home win.  

GLIAC Players of Week: Ferris State had two individuals chosen as GLIAC Players of the Week following the victory over Wayne State in the regular-season as junior QB Reggie Bell (Los Angeles, Calif.) earned the Offensive Player of the Week distinction and senior punter Trevor Bermingham (Addison, Ill.) claimed the Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Bell accounted for 411 yards of total offense and four TD's in the victory while running for 172 yards and two scores. Bermingham also had a big day as he punted four times for 221 yards and pinned the Warriors back inside their own 20-yard line four times in the game. He averaged 55.3 yards per punt.

National Player of Week: Ferris State sophomore defensive end Zach Sieler (Pinckney) was tabbed as the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week along with the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week after an outstanding individual effort in the win over Lake Erie (Oct. 22). Sieler tallied 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops, while adding 7.5 tackles for loss (-31 yards), four sacks (-21 yards), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the victory. His 7.5 tackles for loss broke the Top Taggart Field stadium record and his played helped the FSU defense limit Lake Erie to only 83 yards rushing on 49 attempts (1.7 ypc.). Sieler led the GLIAC in both tackles for loss and sacks this season.

Homecoming Setback: Ferris State jumped out to a 31-14 first-half lead over nationally fifth-ranked Ashland in a homecoming showdown in week four (Sept. 24) at FSU's Top Taggart Field, but the Eagles rallied to beat FSU 39-31 before a crowd of nearly 6,000 fans in Big Rapids. The loss snapped a 28-game regular-season win streak for the Bulldogs dating back to 2013. The contest was aired nationally as the Division II Game of the Week by the American Sports Network. Despite the loss, FSU had nearly 600 yards of total offense (581) in the game.

Second Year For ASN: This year represented the second consecutive year in which Ferris State hosted a Division II National Game of the Week on the American Sports Network. Last season (10/24/15), ASN televised FSU's 24-14 victory over Michigan Tech at Top Taggart Field prior to last week's matchup with Ashland. That game also was a matchup of nationally-ranked squads as then fourth-ranked Ferris State topped the 17th-ranked Huskies in Big Rapids.

Win On Final Play: Ferris State won a tight league road game for the second consecutive week in week three (Sept. 17) as FSU scored on the game's final play for a 27-26 GLIAC victory at Northwood. The Bulldogs fought back from a 26-14 third-quarter deficit at NU's Hantz Stadium in Midland and drove 50-plus yards in the final 2:20 to score on a five-yard TD pass from junior QB Reggie Bell to junior slot Jajuan Pollock with no time remaining on the clock. The win was FSU's 15th-straight overall on the road dating back to October of 2013.

Last-Second Wins: The Bulldogs have pulled out several victories in the closing seconds during the Tony Annese era. Besides wins this season on the road at Michigan Tech and Northwood, FSU also pulled out a thrilling 46-42 road win in 2014 to wrap up the GLIAC Championship on the road at Walsh and pulled out a close 32-31 road victory at Northern Michigan in the 2012 regular-season finale by going for two with only nine seconds left to play in the contest.

Week One Shutout: Ferris State opened the 2016 campaign in impressive fashion on Sept. 1 as FSU shutout Ohio Dominican 41-0 before a crowd of more than 5,000 fans at FSU's Top Taggart Field. The Bulldogs' shutout win was its first since 2008 and it was the first opening day blanking of an opponent since 1996. Junior transfer QB Reggie Bell ran for 102 yards and a score, including a 73-yard TD run, while completing 17-of-27 passes for 154 yards and two scores in his FSU debut. Senior receiver Jamel Lockett tallied nine catches for 91 yards and two TD's.

Last Season: Last fall, the Bulldog football squad finished 2015 with an 11-1 overall record for the second-straight year. Under Head Coach Tony Annese's direction, the Bulldogs also led the country with four Academic All-Americans and senior quarterback Jason Vander Laan claimed his second consecutive Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation's top NCAA Division II player. FSU was ranked among the nation's top 10 teams all season, including the school's highest ever national rankings at #1 in the D2Football.com poll along with #2 in the American Football Coaches Association rankings. Annese garnered Football Gazette Regional Coach of the Year accolades for FSU.

Among Best In GLIAC History: First-year Bulldog junior quarterback Reggie Bell accounted for a personal career-high 483 yards this year in the regular season against Grand Valley State, which ranks as the ninth-highest single-game output in GLIAC history. He completed 19-of-39 passes for 343 yards and two scores while also rushing for a game-high 140 yards on 27 carries. Four of the top 10 single-game total offensive performances in conference history are now owned by a current or former Bulldog quarterback as two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner Jason Vander Laan owns three of the marks. He racked up 496 total offensive yards in last year's league road win at GVSU. Bell's 343 passing yards also marked his high in a Bulldog uniform. Bell's 483 yards were only 16 away from Vander Laan's school-record of 499 yards set in 2014 against Lake Erie.

Final Five-Game Stretch: Ferris State completed its final five-game stretch of the regular season with five-straight wins to make the playoffs. FSU finished strong in its final five-game stretch of the regular-season last year as well. Ferris has now registered a 85-49-1 record in its final five regular-season contests per season since 1990. In 2012, the Bulldogs went 3-2 over the final five-game stretch. FSU was 4-1 in 2013, winning the last four games. The Bulldogs then won their last five games of the regular-season in 2014 while capping a perfect 11-0 regular-season before posting an identical 5-0 mark in 2015. FSU has won its final five regular-season games each of the past three years.

Big Interception Day: Ferris State junior cornerback Tavierre Thomas tallied three interceptions in the regular-season setback to Grand Valley State this year, which represents a career single-game high in a FSU uniform. In addition, it also matched the school-record of three picks set four other times. Ferris State's Dennis Bemis had three against GVSU in 1971 while Chris Estrada posted the same number at Wayne State in 1985. More recently, the Bulldogs' DeRen Ellis notched three versus WSU in 2000 and William Miles picked off three passes at Indianapolis in 2010. Thomas was also only one shy of tying the GLIAC single-game record of four interceptions set five different times.

Strong Debut: A total of 18 newcomers saw their first action for the Bulldogs in FSU's week one win over Ohio Dominican, including eight freshmen. The only true freshman to see action to date this year has been kicker Jackson Dieterle (Jenison), who has kicked off for the Bulldogs. Seven redshirt freshmen also played in the opener along with a group of 10 transfers.

Big Change: Since his arrival at Ferris State, FSU head coach Tony Annese has turned the Bulldogs into a national power on the Division II level. The veteran coach has posted a 49-11 overall mark in five seasons at the FSU helm and has been the mastermind behind a Bulldog turnaround leading to 34 wins in the program's past 38 games overall. FSU has posted the GLIAC's best league record over the past four-plus seasons (43-8) and the squad owns the top overall four-year record of all 21 collegiate programs in Michigan (49-11). Overall, Annese has won 83% of his games as a head coach on the collegiate and prep levels and owns 274 wins to date, which is the most of any current GLIAC member head coach at all levels.

Six Unbeaten Regular Seasons: The 2015 season marked the sixth time in school history in which the Bulldogs went undefeated in the regular season. Prior to the last two years, no Bulldog team had went undefeated in the regular season since the 1995 team won its first 12 games en route to the NCAA Division II Semifinals, which is the highest finish in school history. FSU's 11-0 mark in 2014 prior to the NCAA Playoffs represented the first time in 100-plus years of football in which a Bulldog team won 11 contests in the regular season.

Highest National Rankings: Ferris State climbed as high as second in the country late last year (2015) in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Rankings, which represented the Bulldogs' highest ranking ever in the history of the coaches' poll that dates back to 2000. In addition, FSU was also ranked 1st nationally at one point a year ago by D2Football.com along with the Division II Power Rankings.

First In NCAA History: Departed two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winning quarterback Jason Vander Laan become the first player in NCAA football history at any level to both run and pass for 1,000 yards for four-straight seasons. Prior to Vander Laan accomplishing the feat, no other player in the history of college football had ever totaled more than 1,000 passing and rushing yards for each season of their collegiate career.