Fox Sports Detroit To Televise 2019 Anchor-Bone Classic Live From Top Taggart Field

Big Rapids, Mich. - One of college football's greatest rivalries will be showcased to a live national television audience as Fox Sports Detroit has announced plans to air Ferris State University's home football game versus Grand Valley State on Nov. 9 as the kickoff event to its annual "Football Week In Michigan" promotion.

The Bulldogs' Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home showdown against the Lakers will be televised live across the country on Fox Sports Detroit from Top Taggart Field. Kickoff for the Anchor-Bone Classic has been moved to 3:07 p.m. (ET) to accommodate the TV broadcast.

The announcement was made by FSD during its postgame telecast of the Detroit Tigers game from Comerica Park on Thursday afternoon.

FOX Sports Detroit's Football Week in Michigan concept has developed into a landmark initiative highlighting high school championship and all-star games, as well as college and professional gridiron action in November. Last year, it featured more than 55 hours of original football programming, including 19 games airing across Fox Sports Networks. Football Week in Michigan is presented by Kroger.

"We're thrilled Fox Sports Detroit has chosen to showcase our university and our outstanding football program along with this rivalry game to headline their Football Week in Michigan promotion," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "The game against Grand Valley State is a date that alumni and fans from both sides mark on their calendars each year and we're excited they'll have an opportunity to come out and be part of a live television audience.

"We're looking forward to partnering with the outstanding people at Fox Sports Detroit and are truly honored that this game versus our in-state rival will highlight and launch Fox Sports Detroit's Football Week In Michigan promotion on the second weekend in November," he added.

Other pertinent details surrounding the game and promotional activities will be announced at a later date.

FOX Sports Detroit delivers more than 350 live local events each calendar year to more than 3.2 million households throughout Michigan and portions of Northwest Ohio and Northern Indiana. It can also be found in various sports packages on both DirecTV and Dish Network among other providers nationally. For more information or a complete schedule of game broadcasts, visit www.FOXSportsDetroit.com.

"Ever since year one of Football Week in Michigan (FWIM), we've been looking to add this iconic rivalry college game between the Ferris State Bulldogs and the Grand Valley State Lakers to our FWIM schedule," said Greg Hammaren, senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports Detroit. "Michigan football fans are among the most passionate and we're excited we finally get to make this a part of Football Week in Michigan."

The Anchor Bone Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the Ferris State-Grand Valley State football game. The trophy debuted in 2002 and GVSU won the first nine matchups before FSU maintained possession of the trophy four consecutive years from 2012-15. The Lakers reclaimed the trophy in the regular-season in 2016 before the Bulldogs won a thrilling 28-27 decision at Top Taggart Field two years ago in the NCAA Division II National Game of the Week. FSU followed it up with a memorable 35-31 win last year in Allendale.

Ferris State has captured six of the last seven regular-season matchups between the two West Michigan rivals. The two teams have both also squared off in the NCAA Division II Playoffs twice in the last four years with GVSU winning in 2015 in Big Rapids before FSU returned the favor with a 47-32 triumph over the Lakers in 2016 in Allendale in the Super Region Four Championship game. Bulldog head coach Tony Annese, a two-time Football Gazette Super Region Coach of the Year, owns an overall 7-2 mark against GVSU in his career.

The Anchor-Bone Classic between FSU and GVSU was featured five years ago as one of the nation's "Top 50 Rivalry Games" and the only non-Division I contest by the Bleacher Report, which is one of the largest sports destinations on the web with upwards of 20 million unique readers each month.

Tickets for the Nov. 9 game versus GVSU along with all 2019 Ferris State home games are on sale now and can be purchased online at StarTickets.com. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets for the Anchor-Bone Classic in advance with a large crowd expected. For additional information, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office by calling (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

The Bulldogs have compiled a nation-leading 60-8 overall record over the past five seasons and claimed three conference championships, posted three unbeaten regular-seasons, captured two regional titles and reached the national quarterfinals three times in that span. The stretch was highlighted by last year's 15-1 campaign in which Ferris State advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game for the first time in school history and matched an all-time national record with 15 wins.