FEATURE: Defense Rules The Day As Ferris State Football Displays Championship Culture In Annual Spring Game
By Bobby Cardenas
FerrisStateBulldogs.com
Big Rapids, Mich. - Defense ruled the day in the annual Ferris State Football Crimson & Gold Spring Game held on Saturday (April 22) at Top Taggart Field where the Crimson squad edged out the White by a score of 14-12 in a low-scoring affair.
Ferris State fans gathered at Top Taggart Field to watch the Bulldogs put on a show for the first time since making a run to the national semifinals last fall. Returning quarterback Reggie Bell and several other regular contributing starters from last fall did not play in the spring game as younger players had their chance to shine.
Team Crimson was led by quarterback Travis Russell, who handled a majority of the snaps. Russell was just one of the many young players that had a productive afternoon on the field.
"We had a great crowd, huge energy," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "It's a great representation of our culture here at Ferris State. No one in Division II does a spring game like we do it here. It's really cool to have a great culture and that's our goal, just to kind of put on a show."
The game was a defensive battle as both defensive units didn't allow a single touchdown in the modified scoring game. Team Crimson got off to a fast start by taking their opening possession deep into Team White's territory. Russell threw some impressive balls outside on the opening drive, showing off his strong arm and decisiveness.
"When you have a lot of playmakers on the outside like I had today, it's easy to take your shots and take your chances, so it was just really good to get the ball in the hands of guys who can make some plays with the ball," said Russell.
The White defense stiffened up in the red zone and made the Crimson team settle for a 22-yard Wyatt Ford field goal as they took an early 8-0 lead. The White offense, led by quarterbacks Bret Mooney and Jevon Shaw, bounced back later in the first half and trailed Team Crimson 8-7 at halftime.
The second half saw Shaw make some very impressive runs for Team White, including an 18-yard scamper late in the third quarter to give the squad their first lead of the game.
But, the Crimson defense forced a late fumble at the goal line and recovered the football to tie the game in the fourth quarter. The Crimson team pulled away late when wide receiver Lazon Hicks hauled in a 28-yard catch with three minutes remaining in the contest off a pass from the endzone by Jalen Brooks.
Overal, the Crimson team beat the White by a two-point margin in the defensive slugfest. The Bulldogs have high aspirations for the 2017 season as they will look to return to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Along with the spring game, the Bulldogs also held their annual Lift-A-Thon event over the weekend in addition to a prep coaches clinic and welcoming their incoming recruits among other events.
"We've had a great spring and really did the things we've needed to do to be successful in the fall when camp arrives," said Annese. "The goal now is for our guys to prepare themselves physically over the summer to meet the challenges ahead and continue to build on the momentum we've developed.
"I keep telling our guys the best is yet to come at Ferris State and I truly believe that with the culture we've established, which was clearly evident with all the events and support we had on campus in conjunction with the game this past weekend," he added.