Ninth-Ranked Bulldogs Win Top 20 Showdown In Decisive Fashion With Big Home Victory

Game Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally ninth-ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs made a big statement on Saturday (Sept. 8) night as FSU rolled past 19th-ranked Findlay 59-13 in a showdown of top 20 teams at Top Taggart Field.

The Bulldogs piled up 545 yards of total offense and jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead en route to improving to 2-0 on the year.

Despite being held on their opening drive, the Bulldogs bolted in front early as the Oilers bobbled a punt return and FSU recovered deep in Findlay territory. From there, FSU needed only two plays and 28 yards to reach the endzone with junior quarterback Jayru Campbell hooking up with senior receiver Keyondre Craig on an 18-yard scoring pass.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 14-0 midway thru the first period when Campbell capped off a 10-play, 84-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run.

In the second period, FSU marched 53 yards in 14 plays before junior kicker Jackson Dieterle converted a 31-yard field goal to make it 17-0.

FSU added one final first half score as Campbell directed a four-play, 54-yard jaunt that finished with a three-yard scoring throw to senior back Derrick Portis. The Bulldog defense also came up with a big stop late in the half to keep the Oilers off the board.

Ferris State started fast again in quarter three as Campbell led the Bulldogs on an early nine-play, 68-yard drive before scoring himself with 11:01 to play in the stanza to push the lead to 31-0.

The Oilers finally got on the board with 8:07 to play in the third when Richard Wilson found the endzone from a yard away, finishing a seven-play, 78-yard drive. However, FSU blocked the extra point and the score stood at 31-6.

The Bulldogs answered quickly as Campbell hooked up with redshirt freshman receiver Sy Barnett on a 74-yard scoring strike to push the lead to 38-6.

FSU later drove 67 yards in nine plays before tailback Marvin Campbell found the endzone on an eight-yard carry, pushing the lead to 45-6 after three periods.

In the fourth period, Findlay converted on a 12-play, 73-yard drive capped by quarterback Adam Bertke's 11-yard throw to Peter Norris with 11 minutes to play.

The Bulldogs took advantage of a short field to find the endzone as quarterback Travis Russell hooked up with wideout Miles Jones on a 13-yard pass play to push the edge to 52-13.

Finally, the Bulldogs' Evan Cummins, a redshirt freshman, scored on an eight-yard quarterback carry to finish an eight-play, 67-yard drive with three minutes left, accounting for the final margin.

Jayru Campbell completed 14-of-21 passes for 242 yards and three scores while also running for a team-high 96 yards on 14 carries with two TD's in the triumph. Marvin Campbell added 57 yards and a TD on the ground while Russell went three-of-three passing for 36 yards and a scoring throw.

On the outside, Craig caught four balls for 56 yards with Barnett making three catches for 121 yards. Freshman Xavier Wade also hauled in three balls for 45 yards with slot Jevon Shaw making three catches for 40 yards.

The Bulldogs totaled 545 yards with 267 coming on the ground and 278 in the air in a balanced effort.

Meanwhile, Findlay netted 340 yards only a week after notching the most yards in the country in a 69-19 season-opening road win at Kentucky Wesleyan. The Oilers ran for 178 yards on 39 carries and totaled 162 in the air.

For Findlay, Demondre Blanks ran for 62 yards while Rhys Gervais completed 13-of-26 throws for 99 yards. Norris caught six passes for 89 yards.

Defensively, Cyntell Williams led the Bulldog defense with 10 total tackles and also broke up two passes. Both Adrian Green and Austin Edwards finished with seven stops apiece.

Ferris State will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action on the road at Northwood next Saturday, Sept. 15, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. (ET) in Midland.