Special Pregame Tailgate Event To Take Place Prior To Anchor-Bone Classic

Big Rapids, Mich. – "Football Week In Michigan" is coming to Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids and fans are invited to a special pregame football tailgate event on Saturday, Nov. 9, prior to the Anchor-Bone Classic rivalry game between Ferris State and Grand Valley State.

The pregame tailgate spread will run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning prior to the noon kickoff for the nationally-televised game on Fox Sports Detroit.

The event, hosted by FOX Sports Detroit and Ferris State Athletics in Lot 35, has a cash-only $5 entry fee, which includes food and drink (brats, Detroit Coney dogs, Bulldog beans, potato salad, homemade chips, water, coffee and hot chocolate). Beer will also be included for those 21 and older with proof of ID, while it lasts. Children under the age of 10 will be admitted free.

During the tailgate event, Fox Sports Detroit will be on site with former Detroit Lions players Herman Moore and Joique Bell, a photo booth, great giveaways and the "Football Week In Michigan" bus. The tailgate will also feature music, merchandise and Ferris State's three Harlon Hill Trophies won by quarterbacks Jason Vander Laan and Jayru Campbell.

In addition to being broadcast on Fox Sports Detroit, the game will also air nationally on Fox College Sports across the country. Fox Sports Detroit's Matt Shepard will call the play-by-play action for the game alongside former Michigan standout Devin Gardner with Brooke Fletcher as the sideline reporter. They will also be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures during the pregame tailgate event.

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.

FOX Sports Detroit delivers more than 350 live local events each calendar year to more than 3 million households throughout Michigan and portions of Northwest Ohio and Northern Indiana. For more information or a complete schedule of game broadcasts, visit www.FOXSportsDetroit.com.

The Anchor Bone Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the Ferris State-Grand Valley State football game. 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.

Game tickets for the Nov. 9 premium game are on sale now and can be purchased online at StarTickets.com. Tickets are $18 for all adults along with $10 for students age 5-17. 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.