Ferris State Football Official Kickoff Times Announced For 2021 Campaign
Big Rapids, Mich. - Official kickoff times have been announced for the 2021 Ferris State University football campaign as the Bulldogs get set to begin their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title defense this fall.
The Bulldogs' 2021 gridiron slate features five home games at FSU's Top Taggart Field along with seven league contests as part of the current 10-game schedule.
Ferris State will open the season at home with a non-conference tilt under the lights against longtime opponent and former GLIAC member Findlay on Thursday, Sept. 2, in Big Rapids. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET).
The following week, on Sept. 11, FSU travels to Ohio to face another familiar foe in Ashland, beginning a four-year scheduling pact with the Eagles, who will begin their first season in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) this coming year. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. (ET) start.
The Bulldogs open league play at home on Sept. 18 versus Saginaw Valley State, which is guided by former FSU assistant coach Ryan Brady. The contest will represent FSU's Football Alumni Day with all former players invited back for the evening game beginning at 7 p.m. (ET).
The following week, on Sept. 25, the Bulldogs will entertain Davenport for the annual homecoming matchup at 3 p.m. (ET). The game will be a non-league tilt as the two squads will meet again in conference action in early November as part of the GLIAC's scheduling arrangement for 2021. DU is led by a Bulldog alum and another former assistant in Sparky McEwen.
"This year's schedule is certainly challenging, but we're excited about the prospects for our team and the opportunity to be back on the field," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "Not only do we have the always difficult task of competing in the GLIAC, but we also have two very strong non-conference opponents and potential playoff teams in Findlay and Ashland to open the year. Our guys have put in a ton of work to prepare themselves for this fall and we'll have to be at our best each and every week."
Following the back-to-back home contests to close out September, the Bulldogs begin a lengthy road stretch in the month of October. FSU begins the month at Northwood on Oct. 2 in Midland for a 1 p.m. (ET) kick prior to a currently scheduled open week on Oct. 9.
Ferris State will visit archival Grand Valley State for the Anchor-Bone Classic slated for a 7 p.m. (ET) start on Oct. 16 at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, looking to beat GVSU for the ninth time in the past 11 matchups, before making the long trek to Houghton to battle Michigan Tech on Oct. 23 at Sherman Field starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
The Bulldogs finally return home on Oct. 30, hosting Northern Michigan and yet another former Annese assistant in NMU head coach Kyle Nystrom in Big Rapids at 1 p.m. (ET) before going on the road to meet Davenport for the second time on Nov. 6 in Caledonia at 12 p.m. (ET).
The regular-season finale is scheduled for Nov. 13 when Wayne State pays a visit to Top Taggart Field for a 1 p.m. (ET) start.
The Bulldogs, who did not compete in the fall 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic when no NCAA Championships were held, are expected to return a strong nucleus from their 2019 national semifinal squad.
The Bulldogs have won each of the last two GLIAC Championships in unbeaten fashion and reached the national quarterfinals four consecutive years, which is the longest streak in the country. Over the past two seasons of action, not counting the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season, in 2018 and 2019, the Bulldogs have compiled a 27-2 mark. FSU ranks as the country's winningest program over the past six full seasons in NCAA Division II football.
Over the last six full seasons at Ferris State, the Bulldogs have compiled a 72-9 overall record and claimed four conference championships, posted four unbeaten regular seasons, captured three regional titles and reached the national quarterfinals four times under Annese. Ferris State has also accumulated three Harlon Hill National Player of the Year trophies, twice had a student-athlete tabbed as the nation's National Scholar-Athlete of the Year and won 12 postseason games in addition to an appearance in the 2018 National Championship game. The Bulldogs' six-straight playoff appearances is the second-longest longest streak in the nation.
Ferris State also holds the GLIAC's best mark and the best overall record of all 21 collegiate programs in Michigan at 87-16 overall since the arrival of head coach Tony Annese in 2012.
Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional information on the 2021 campaign with ticket information coming soon. Fans are also encouraged to help support the Bulldogs by joining the FSU Gridiron Club, which is midst its membership drive. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com or call Jake Daugherty at (231) 591-2862 for more information.