Memorable Weekend On FSU Campus Highlighting The NCAA Division II National Champions
Photo Gallery
Ring Ceremony Video 
Spring Game Highlights
Coach Annese Interview
Mylik Mitchell Interview
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football squad wrapped up its spring drills with a highly-competitive Crimson & Gold Spring Game on Friday (April 22) at FSU's Top Taggart Field, where the Red squad topped the White team 47-33 score in a high-scoring tilt, which was part of a memborable weekend highlighting the NCAA Division II National Champions.
The contest featured a modified scoring system and a running clock utilized at the discretion of FSU head coach Tony Annese. Former Bulldogs Scott Fish and Jeff Schmitz served as the game's honorary coaches with senior members of this past fall's team serving as the honorary captains during the coin toss.
The annual spring game was held in conjunction with a special national championship celebration at FSU's Top Taggart Field. Additionally, the Bulldogs held a national championship banquet and ring ceremony on Friday evening at the University Center on the FSU campus.
As part of the day's activities, the Bulldogs welcome backed alumni members and representatives from the 2022 signing class at the end of the first quarter. The halftime events featured special competitions involving the Bulldog men's basketball, women's soccer, women's basketball and volleyball squads in addition to a special competition catching punts between members of the offensive and defensive lines.
Following the third quarter, a number of special presentations took place. State Senator Rick Outman was on hand to present a legislative tribute to the national championship team along with special tributes for both head coach Tony Annese, who was the national coach of the year, and defensive coordinator Ryan Hodges, who earned the national coordinator of the year award during the championship season. A framed tribute was presented to FSU by Senator Outman on behalf of Governor Gretchen Whitmer while the great-great granddaughters of university founders Woodbridge Ferris and Helen Gillespie Ferris was presented to the national champions on behalf of the Ferris Family.
The evening's national championship celebration at the University Center included the presentation of the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year honor to senior offensive tackle Dylan Pasquali along with a special recognition to Coach Annese from retiring Ferris State University President Dr. David Eisler, who along with his wife, Patsy, were honored during the spring game and presented with both championship rings and pens along with varsity letter jackets from Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank.
The highlight of the evening was the awarding of national championship rings to all Bulldog players and coaches by Coach Annese, who also recognized Ferris State Football alumni members from the NFL in attendance that evening. The evening events also included a movie showing of "Business Finished", the national championship game highlight package assembled following the title game victory over Valdosta State.
Along with the championship celebration, the Bulldogs also held an alumni gathering on Friday night at alumni-owned Buffalo Wild Wings of Big Rapids, which was hosted by former Bulldogs and longtime supporters Brian and Jeff Carmody of BW3. Approximately 60 alumni on hand also took part in a golf outing on Saturday at Katke Golf Course on the FSU campus.
As in years past, the annual Crimson & Gold Spring Game was also broadcast live on the Bulldog Sports Network and local flagship station Sunny 97.3 FM with Rob Bentley and Sandy Gholston on the call and was streamed online with both live audio and a free live video webcast courtesy of the Ferris State Television & Digital Media Production program at FerrisStateBulldogs.com. The live radio call was also carried over the stadium public address system for the fans in attendance and televised live on MiSportsNow.com in cooperation with TV 9&10 Sports.
The annual spring game provided fans with an opportunity to watch the Bulldogs for the first time since FSU's run to the national championship last fall in a game-like situation under Annese and his staff. The spring game featured a modified scoring and timing format and provided an opportunity for many of FSU's younger players to take the field for the first time while wrapping up spring drills.
This past season, along with capturing the D2 National Championship with a perfect 14-0 record, the Bulldogs also claimed a third-straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship and stretched their regular-season winning streak to 38 consecutive games and counting.
FSU has reached the NCAA Division II National Semifinals four times in the past five seasons of action and ranks as the country's winningest program over the past seven full seasons in D2 Football.
The Bulldogs have won each of the last three GLIAC Championships in unbeaten fashion and reached the national quarterfinals five consecutive years, which is the longest streak in the country. Over the past three seasons of on-field action, the Bulldogs have compiled a 41-2 mark.
Please visit this link for photos of the day's events from FSU's team of photographers, including Kevin McDermott, Joe Washington, Luke Wyckoff and Miles Postema:
Photo Gallery