Posted: Nov 26, 2019
PREVIEW: Ferris State Hosts Central Missouri In D2 Home Playoff Game This Saturday
| Ferris State vs. Central Missouri (D2 Playoffs) | |
| Saturday, Nov. 30 - 1 p.m. (ET) | |
| Video: | Bulldog Sports Network (FREE) |
| Radio: | 97.3 FM WDEE |
| Stats: | Click Here |
| Tickets: | Info | (231) 591-2888 |
| Social Media: | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
| Game Notes (PDF) | |
| Gameday Information | |
| Team Video Center | |
This Week's Action
The nationally second-ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs host the Central Missouri Mules in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Division II Playoffs this Saturday, Nov. 30, at FSU's Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET). The top-seeded Bulldogs had a first-round bye last week while fourth-seeded Central Missouri topped fifth-seeded Indianapolis at home 37-27 in Super Region Three first-round action.
The Matchup
The Bulldogs are currently 10-0 overall this season and claimed the GLIAC Championship for the second consecutive season with a 8-0 mark. Meanwhile, Central Missouri is currently 11-1 overall and went 10-1 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). It will be the first-ever series' matchup.
The Bulldogs
The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Division II National Championship game for the first time in school history last fall, matching an all-time NCAA record with 15 victories (15-1). FSU also claimed the GLIAC and Super Region Three titles. The Bulldogs returned nearly 60 letterwinners and 18 starters from last year's team that reached the D2 National Championship game. FSU is currently 10-0 overall this year, but has not played since a 21-16 win over rival Grand Valley State in the Anchor- Bone Classic (Nov. 9).
Media Coverage
Saturday's game will be carried live locally by the Bulldog Sports Network and Sunny 97.3 FM with the veteran broadcast team of Rob Bentley (play-by-play) and Sandy Gholston (color) calling the action. Pregame coverage gets underway at 12:30 p.m. (ET). The contest will also be streamed with FREE live audio and video online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com. FSU will also provide live internet statistics.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Ferris State's home playoff game are on sale now and fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens (age 65+) along with $5 for students in grades K-12. In addition, FSU students and college students from competing schools with a valid ID card are also $5. Children ages five and under are free.
Fans can purchase playoff tickets online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.StarTickets.com or call (800) 585-3737. Tickets may also be purchased in person thru the FSU Athletics Ticket Office located inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com or call (231) 591-2888 for more info.
Second-Straight GLIAC Title
Ferris State secured the program's 11th GLIAC Championship this fall. The Bulldogs went unbeaten in conference action for the fourth time in the last six seasons this season. The Bulldogs claimed the outright league championship by beating Gand Valley State. FSU has won its last 23 GLIAC games in a row dating back to 2017.
Current Bulldog Streaks
FSU has now won 28 consecutive regular-season games and matched the school record with the Nov. 9 win over Grand Valley State. The Bulldogs also won 28-straight from 2013-16. Ferris State has also presently won 16 consecutive games played on the road and not at a neutral site. FSU's last true "road" & regular-season loss was a 20-3 setback at Ashland back in 2017 (9/23). The road stretch includes three road wins in the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
Memorable Bulldog Run
Over the last five seasons at Ferris State, the Bulldogs have compiled a 70-8 overall record and claimed four conference championships, posted four unbeaten regular-seasons, captured two regional titles and reached the national quarterfinals three times. 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 10 postseason games.
Preseason Top Two Team
Ferris State was a consensus top two team nationally in virtually every preseason Division II national poll, including as high as #1 by the Massey Ratings and CompughterRatings.com. FSU was also picked second by Street & Smith's, Lindy's, College Football America, D2Sports Football and the American Football Coaches Association.
National Power & State's Best
Now in the eighth season under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have become a national power on the Division II level. FSU has posted a 85-15 overall mark in his tenure and the Bulldogs have also posted the best winning percentage of all 21 collegiate programs in the state of Michigan along with the GLIAC since his arrival. Overall, Annese has won 85% of his games as a head coach on the collegiate and prep levels and owns 310 wins to date, which is the most of any current GLIAC member head coach at all levels.
The Head Coaches
Ferris State – Tony Annese (Alma, 1983), 8th season, 85-15-0 (.850) – 0-0 vs. UCM). Annese recorded a 195-41 (.826) mark as a head coach in four stops at the high school level before totaling a 30-4 (.882) record in three years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College. His overall career mark at all levels is 310-60 (.838) to date and includes three prep state championships and two national JUCO crowns. He claimed his 300th win last season with the national semifinal victory at Minnesota State.
Central Missouri - Jim Svoboda (Northwestern College, 1983), 10th season at UCM, 81-35 (.698), 17th year overall, 133-54 (.711) - (0-0 vs FSU). Svoboda has led the Mules to six postseason appearances and his 81 wins rank second all-time at Central Missouri. The Mules have set or tied 94 school offensive records during his tenure. He began his head coaching career at Nebraska Wesleyan from 1987 to 1993, posting a 52-19 mark and also served as the offensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State (1994-03) along with the quarterbacks coach at UCLA (2004-06) in addition to being the assistant head coach at FCS Montana State (2007-09).
NCAA Playoff Berth
This year marks Ferris State's 11th all-time NCAA Division II Playoff appearance and the school's sixth in a row after previously not making the field since 1996 prior to the 2014 season. Overall, FSU has now compiled a 15-10 all-time playoff record after three consecutive national quarterfinal or better finishes. In 2016, the Bulldogs made their second-ever trip to the national semifinals and matched the 1995 squad, which fell on the road at North Alabama, for the highest finish in school history before reaching the national title game for the first time in 2018. Along with making the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015, the Bulldogs also captured back-to-back GLIAC Championships and completed the feat again in 2018 and 2019. Before the recent stretch, FSU had not won a league title since 1999. The 2014 outright title was the school's first since 1996. Overall, this year represented the 11th conference title in Bulldog football history and fourth in the last six years.
First-Ever Meeting
Saturday will mark the first-ever series' matchup between FSU and Central Missouri. It will also mark the Bulldogs' fourth-ever game against a school from Missouri and fourth versus a current MIAA school. FSU played its first game against a MIAA school when the Bulldogs faced NW Missouri State in the 2016 national semfinals and then beat Fort Hays State on the road in round two of the playoffs in 2017. The playoff win over Fort Hays State was FSU's first meeting against a team from Kansas. In last year's regular-season finale, FSU also played a team from Missouri on the road in William Jewell and then topped Northwest Missouri State in the second round of the playoffs last year.
GLIAC Champions
Ferris State officially secured the program's 11th GLIAC Championship this season and has now gone unbeaten in conference action for the fourth time in the last six seasons. Overall, FSU has won 11 games or more six times in school history, including five-straight years prior to this year.
Harlon Hill Trophy Nominee
Ferris State senior defensive end Austin Edwards (Lansing/Waverly) is one of the 36 candidates for the 2019 Harlon Hill Trophy presented to Division's II top player in the country. Overall, a total of 36 student-athletes from across the nation were nominated for the 2019 Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. The list of candidates was announced by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee. Edwards was chosen this year as the 2019 GLIAC Player of the Year and is a finalist for the 2019 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award.
Thanksgiving Weekend Action
This year represents the sixth year in a row in which the Bulldogs will play on Thanksgiving weekend by reaching at least the second round in the playoffs, including a first-round bye in both 2014 and this year. The six-straight seasons of playing on Turkey Day weekend is the best in the country.
The Last Time Out
Ferris State picked up a 21-16 win over rival Grand Valley State in its most recent action on Nov. 9 behind the play of senior quarterback Travis Russell (Grand Rapids/West Catholic). The Bulldogs held onto the Anchor-Bone Trophy for the seventh time in eight seasons and FSU head coach Tony Annese improved to 8-2 in his career against the Lakers as FSU captured the outright GLIAC Championship before a crowd of nearly 8,000 fans and a national television audience on Fox Sports Detroit.
The 100th Game Under Annese
FSU's Nov. 9 win over Grand Valley State represented the Bulldogs' 100th game under head coach Tony Annese dating back to his initial season in 2012. Prior to Annese's tenure, the Bulldogs had went 35-45 (.438 ) in their previous 80 contests, but they have now registered a 85-15 (.850) since his arrival.
School-Record 23 All-GLIAC Honorees
Ferris State had a school-record 23 individuals earn All-GLIAC honors for the 2019 season as announced by the league office this past week. Senior defensive end Austin Edwards (Lansing/Waverly) was tabbed as the GLIAC Player of the Year with senior offensive guard Tyler Allison (Clinton Township/Chippewa Valley) named the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and senior cornerback James Ceasar (Detroit/East English Village) chosen as the GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year.
The Bulldogs had a GLIAC-best 11 individuals named to the All-GLIAC First Team, including both Edwards, Ceasar and Allison. The others included sophomore wide receiver Sy Barnett (Williamston), junior tailback Marvin Campbell (Detroit), junior offensive tackle Dylan Pasquali (Trenton), senior defensive back Delon Stephenson (Sayreville, N.J.), junior linebacker Sam Heyboer (Grand Rapids/South Christian), senior linebacker Avonte Bell (Lansing/Sexton), senior returner Dion Earls (Chicago) and senior kicker Jackson Dieterle (Jenison).
FSU also had six others receive All-GLIAC Second Team recognition in redshirt freshman receiver Xavier Wade (Holland/West Ottawa), junior center Jake Boonstra (Grand Rapids/Kenowa Hills), senior guard Cory Carr (Portage/Central), junior defensive tackle Austin Simpson (Livonia/Churchill), sophomore defensive tackle Jordan Jones (Redford/Divine Child) and senior defensive back Omari McCauley (Detroit/Martin Luther King).
Six other Bulldogs earned All-GLIAC Honorable Mention recognition in senior slot receiver Jevon Shaw (Farmington Hills), senior slot Davontae Harrington (St. Petersburg, Fla.), junior tight end Lazon Hicks (Ypsilanti), sophomore offensive tackle Zein Obeid (Dearborn), senior defensive back Alex Thomas (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) and senior defensive back Najeem Hosein (Orlando, Fla.).
The 2019 GLIAC Player of the Year
Senior defensive end Austin Edwards (Lansing/Waverly) was tabbed as the GLIAC Player of the Year and became the first defensive player to win the conference player of the year distinction since former Saginaw Valley State linebacker John DiGiorgio in 2005. He is also the second-ever FSU defensive recipient, following in the footsteps of Bulldog legend Monty Brown (1992). It marks the fourth time in the last six years in which Ferris State has had a player chosen as the GLIAC Player of the Year.
Gene Upshaw Lineman Of The Year Finalist
FSU's Austin Edwards has also been tabbed as a national finalist for the 2019 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award. Regional voting narrowed a field of 35 candidates down to eight finalists, which includes both four offensive and four defensive linemen. The award is presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club and voted on by the nation's NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists advance from each of the four NCAA Division II super regions. All nominees must be seniors.
GLIAC Jack H. McAvoy Award Recipient
Ferris State senior quarterback Travis Russell (Grand Rapids/West Catholic) has been chosen as the 2019 recipient of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (GLIAC) Jack H. McAvoy Award, which is presented annually to a GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The award is named for former Hillsdale College director of athletics and head football coach, Jack McAvoy, who was instrumental in the founding of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), now known as the GLIAC. Russell is 11-1 as a starting QB at Ferris State.
The 111th Season
The 2019 campaign represents the Bulldogs' 111th season of varsity competition. The program actually began in 1900, but no football was played in 1908-09, 1917-18, 1932 and from 1942-45 for various reasons. Additionally, no scores are available from either the 1912 or 1916 seasons. Ferris has an all-time mark of 463-444-40.
Big Win Seasons
Last year marked only the seventh time in school history in which the Bulldogs had won at least 11 games in a campaign, but also the fifth year in a row. In 2016, FSU matched the school-record of 12 wins set in 1995 (12-1) and the Bulldogs topped the feat last year (15-1). The last five years marks the first time FSU has won 11 games in a row for five-straight years. The Bulldogs are one win shy of claiming yet another 11-win season in 2019.
Nation's Top Coach
Bulldog head coach Tony Annese is currently the winningest (.850) active coach among all FBS, FCS & D2 schools in the country, according to the NCAA based on a minimum of five years as a coach, topping names such as Dabo Swinney, Nick Saban & Chris Peterson in the top 10. Overall, among all levels including NCAA Division III, he's listed fourth among active coaches at all NCAA levels in winning percentage (.850) for more than five years and second among those who have been a head coach for more than seven years. Those listed ahead of him are all NCAA D3 coaches.
Miscellaneous Notes
Senior Jackson Dieterle has made 123 of his 126 PAT attempts in his collegiate career for the Bulldogs and is the nation's #2 active player in percentage (.976) in D2 football ... The Bulldogs currently have won 23-straight conference games and 28 consecutive regular-season games overall dating back to the 2017 campaign. Overall, FSU is 34-2 (.944) in its last 35 outings to date counting playoff action.
Road Shutout Victory
Ferris State rolled to a dominating 52-0 road shutout win over Michigan Tech under snowy conditions on Nov. 2 in Houghton. Senior quarterback Travis Russell (Grand Rapids/West Catholic) earned the start at QB in place of an injured Jayru Campbell (Detroit/Cass Tech) and threw for 323 yards on 13-of-19 passing while accounting for three TD's. The Bulldogs rolled up 615 yards of total offense and allowed only 120 total yards in posting the decisive win. The shutout was the Bulldogs' first since a 26-0 road triumph at Davenport a little over two years ago in late October of 2017.
Best In The Country
Since the start of the 2014 season, the Bulldogs have the most wins of any NCAA Division II team in the country. The Bulldogs recorded back-to-back 11-1 seasons in 2014 and 2015 before a 12-3 mark in 2016 followed by an 11-2 showing in 2017 and a 15-1 mark last year for a cumulative 70-8 record including this season. Under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have lost only three regular-season games over the past six years dating back to mid-October of 2013. The Bulldogs now own a 66-3 (.956) regular-season mark since closing the 2013 season by winning their final four games.
Only Team In The Nation
With last year's run to the national championship game, the Bulldogs became the nation's only team to reach the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals each of the past three seasons. Ferris State claimed the Super Region Championship in 2016 with a decisive road win at rival Grand Valley State in the quarterfinals to reach the national semifinals for the second time in school history. In 2017, the Bulldogs also made it back to the national quarterfinals, but fell to Harding on a game-ending field goal at home in Big Rapids.
Bulldog Graduates On The Field
A pair of Bulldog players, senior quarterback Travis Russell (Grand Rapids) and senior slot receiver Dion Earls (Chicago), are included in a group of collegiate standouts announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) who have already completed their degree requirements and are playing as graduates this fall on the college football level.
300 Career Victories
Ferris State head coach Tony Annese notched his 300th career victory at all levels with last year's NCAA Semifinal win over Minnesota State. Annese took over the Bulldog program following three impressive years as the head coach at Grand Rapids Community College, which came on the heels of a highly successful 25-season stint at the prep level. Annese has won championships at every level, including three high school state championships and two national titles on the junior college level. He is 310-60 (.838) at all levels in his head coaching career.
Great Road Record
In seven plus seasons under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have been a dominant road team. Presently, the Bulldogs are 43-7 (.860) under his direction in games played away from Top Taggart Field over the course of his seven seasons at the helm. Ferris State's mark is even better outside of his first two seasons as the Bulldogs own a 34-4 mark since the start of the 2014 season away from Big Rapids.
All-Region Honorees
A region-best total of six Ferris State University football standouts earned acclaim by being named to the 2018 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region Three squad last year. The Bulldogs had four first-team honorees, including quarterback Jayru Campbell (Detroit/Cass Tech), who was also chosen as the D2CCA Super Region Three Offensive Player of the Year. The other first-team picks included a pair of senior offensive linemen in tackle Devon Johnson (Aurora, Ill.) and guard Nic Sawyer (Ann Arbor/Saline) along with defensive back Delon Stephenson (Sayreville, NJ). Meanwhile, defensive end Austin Edwards (Lansing) and defensive back Adrian Green (Ellenwood, Ga.) both garnered all-region second team accolades. All but Johnson and Sawyer returned this fall.
Cliff Harris Award Honorees
A pair of returnees, defensive end Austin Edwards (Lansing) and defensive back Delon Stephenson (Sayreville, N.J.) were chosen as two of the national nominees last fall for the 2018 Cliff Harris Award, which is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player. The Cliff Harris Award is presented by The Little Rock Touchdown Club and is given to the nation's top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities.
Latest Home Game Ever
The Bulldogs closed the 2017 season at home against Harding (Ark.) in the NCAA National Quarterfinals at Top Taggart Field, falling 16-14 on a game-ending field goal by the Bisons. The game represented the first-ever home football playoff game in the month of December and the latest home game ever for FSU. The Bulldogs also hosted quarterfinal-round playoff action in 1994, 1995 and 1996, but those games were played in late November. A year ago, the Bulldogs won their first two playoff games at home in November before winning two-straight on the road en route to the national title game.
FSU Keeps The Anchor-Bone
With this year's win over rival Grand Valley State, Ferris State held onto the Anchor Bone Trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ferris State-GVSU 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, but the Bulldogs have now won the last three regular-season matchups. Head Coach Tony Annese improved to 8-2 versus GVSU with the win and is also 4-1 against the Lakers on the road at Lubbers Stadium.
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Ferris State senior quarterback Travis Russell (Grand Rapids/West Catholic) was chosen as one of the nominees for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football. It marks the second consecutive year in which he's been a candidate for the honor. Russell was the NCAA Elite 90 Award winner last fall for holding the highest grade point average of any player in the national title game.
Preseason All-Americans
Lindy's Sports tabbed three Bulldogs as Preseason All-Americans this year, including senior defensive end Austin Edwards (Lansing/Waverly) on the first team along with senior quarterback Jayru Campbell (Detroit/Cass Tech) and senior defensive back Delon Stephenson (Sayreville, N.J.). Campbell was chosen as the publication's Preseason National Offensive Player of the Year. FSU had three of the four players from the GLIAC on the magazine's Preseason All-America list. Campbell was also tabbed as the first team All-America quarterback by Street & Smith's and featured on the cover of the College Football America Division II section where he was highlighted as a member of the publication's "Starting Lineup" as a Preseason First Team All-America choice along with junior linebacker Sam Heyboer (Grand Rapids/South Christian).
Harlon Hill Trophy Winner
As a junior last year, Ferris State quarterback Jayru Campbell was the recipient of the Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation's top player after leading FSU to the NCAA Division II National Championship game for the first time in school history . He joined former FSU QB Jason Vander Laan (2014-15) as as the second-ever Ferris State athlete to claim the Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation's top player. He also became only the fourth-ever GLIAC player to win the honor. A consensus first-team All-American and the National Offensive Player of the Year, Campbell topped all NCAA Division II quarterbacks in rushing with 1,460 yards while throwing for 2,931 with 27 touchdowns. The GLIAC Player of the Year accounted for a national-best 49 touchdowns.
Michigan's Best Team
Ferris State was chosen this past year by SB Nation as the state of Michigan's best college football team of 2018 last fall, regardless of division. It came on the heels of a similar recognition the year prior by Hero Sports as the state of Michigan's best college football team, regardless of division. Hero Sports unveiled its top team from every state, regardless of division, and the Bulldogs were chosen tops among the 21 collegiate programs in Michigan. The award is the result of an equation created to level the playing field across all divisions of college football using specialized criteria.
Top Rushing QB
FSU QB Jayru Campbell lead all QB's in the country in rushing (1,460 yards) last fall. The Bulldogs had the nation's leading rushing quarterback in D2 football six of the past seven years prior to this season. In 2016, former quarterback Reggie Bell's 1,081 yards on the ground in the regular-season were the most of any QB in the country. Previously, two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winning QB Jason Vander Laan led all quarterbacks in rushing in D2 football each of his four years from 2012-15.
Great Road Record
In eight seasons under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have been a dominant road team. Presently, the Bulldogs are 43-7 (.860) under his direction in games played away from Top Taggart Field over the course of his seven seasons at the helm. Ferris State's mark is even better outside of his first two seasons as the Bulldogs own a 34-4 mark since the start of the 2014 season away from Big Rapids.
Fred Mitchell Watch List
Bulldog kicker Jackson Dieterle is listed among the nation's top performers for the 2019 Fred Mitchell Award presented to the nation's most outstanding kicker and is featured on this season's watch list for the honor. The announcement was made by the Fred Mitchell Award Committee and the award is presented to the top placekicker on the Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA level who excels on and off the football field. This year's award recipient will be named in December.
Big Home Stretch
The Bulldogs have won 40 of their last 45 home games overall at Top Taggart Field dating back to the 2013 season. Last season, in 2018, the Bulldogs went a perfect 7-0 at home in Big Rapids. In each of the previous five years, the Bulldogs lost a single game on their home field, posting records of 4-1 (2013), 5-1 (2014), 6-1 (2015), 7-1 (2016) and 6-1 (2017) including regular-season and playoff action. FSU is 5-0 at home this year.
Did You Know?
Ferris State has now been the last GLIAC school standing in the NCAA Division II Playoffs each of the past four seasons. The Bulldogs reached the national semifinals in 2016 and the quarterfinals in 2017. Last year, FSU avenged a setback to Harding in the 2017 Super Region Three Championship Game by beating the Bisons 21-19 at home in round one of the postseason on Nov. 17. FSU eventually went on to reach the national championship game for the first time in school history. This year, the Bulldogs were the lone GLIAC school to make the field.
This Year's Numbers
The Bulldogs rank among the nation's top teams in several statistical categories this season, including first in the country in team passing efficiency defense (81.80). The Bulldogs are currently fifth nationally in total defense (262.2) along with fifth in total offense (513.3). FSU is also fourth in scoring defense (13.7) and 13th in rushing offense (257.7) in addition to fifth in net punting (39.35). FSU has two of the country's top five receivers in yards per catch as Xavier Wade (Holland/West Ottawa) is third (25.13) and Sy Barnett (Williamston) is fourth (23.91).
FSU Matches School Record
With a national semifinal win at Minnesota State last year, FSU tied the school-record of 15 consecutive victories, which was also recorded in 2013 and 2014. The Bulldogs won their final four games in 2013 under head coach Tony Annese before reeling off a perfect 11-0 regular-season in 2014 prior to a playoff setback. FSU's 15-game streak last year represented the longest streak inside of a single-season in school history. The Bulldogs had a 28-game regular-season winning streak from 2013-16 and owned a 42-game regular-season unbeaten (40-0-2) streak from 1992-96.
Road Win Streak
Ferris State had won its last 13 games in a row away from Top Taggart Field prior to the setback to Valdosta State in the national championship game last year. The most recent true road loss for FSU was a 20-3 setback at league foe Ashland in September of 2017. FSU closed its 2017 campaign by winning its last four road tilts, including a playoff win at Fort Hays State, and won eight games away from Big Rapids last year. Last season's victory total included a decisive neutral site win over Michigan Tech in the "Battle At The Ballpark" played at the home field of Minor League Baseball's West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park. Overall, FSU has currently won a school-record 16 consecutive "true" road games to date, which topped the previous long road winning streak in school history of 15 in a row set from 2013-15.
Football Week In Michigan Broadcast
One of college football's greatest rivalries was showcased to a live national television audience as Fox Sports Detroit aired 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' GLIAC home showdown against the Lakers was televised live across the country on Fox Sports Detroit. 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.
National Game Of The Week
The Bulldogs' road tilt at Central Washington (Sept. 14) was televised via ESPN3 and the ESPN app across the country as part of the NCAA Division II National TV Showcase "Game of the Week". This year marked the fifth consecutive year in which the Bulldogs have participated in the Division II National Showcase. Last year, FSU hosted a D2 National Game of the Week at Top Taggart Field for the fourth-straight year when they hosted Ashland and it marked the third consecutive year in which FSU's outing against the Eagles was the D2 National Game of the Week. The trip to Central Washington represented the longest trip in school history for the Bulldogs.
Deep Arsenal
This season, a total of 11 different ball carriers scored touchdowns on the ground for the Bulldogs, including a team-high 8 by quarterback Evan Cummins and tailback Tyler Minor. Meanwhile, a total of 17 different players have touched the ball and own at least one carry for FSU this season. Additionally, on the receiving end a total of 8 different players also caught at least one TD pass with 17 different receivers hauling in at least one catch this campaign. The Bulldogs have utilized four different throwers in the passing game, including slot receiver Jevon Shaw. Last year, he threw a game-opening 71-yard throw to receiver Sy Barnett in the playoffs against Northwest Missouri State and opened the national championship game with a 80-yard scoring strike to receiver Keyondre Craig.
Among The Best In The Nation
The Bulldogs began their 111th season of varsity competition this fall with their sights set on making a sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs, which they have now achieved. FSU has now made three-straight NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal appearances and is one of only four teams in all of college football to win at least 11 games each of the past five years. The Bulldogs along with Northwest Missouri State are the only programs in Division II football to make the playoffs each of the past five seasons.
Former Bulldogs In The NFL
The Bulldogs have had 10 different players in NFL rookie or training camps over the past two years. Former DB Tavierre Thomas has been on the Cleveland Browns' 53-man roster the last two years and recently defensive tackle Zach Sieler was called up to the Baltimore Ravens' active lineup with tight end Jason Vander Laan making his debut this week with the New Orleans Saints. Three others are presently still on NFL practice squads - LB Brady Sheldon (Cincinnati), WR Malik Taylor (Green Bay), DT Justin Zimmer (Atlanta). Sieler became FSU's first-ever NFL Draft pick when he was chosen by the Ravens in 2018 in the seventh round.
Nation's Winningest Active Coach
Ferris State head coach Tony Annese currently ranks as NCAA Division II's winningest active head coach, based on a minimum of four seasons, with a 85-15 (.850) overall record in eight years. His current mark tops Colorado State-Pueblo head coach John Wristen, who is in second with a 116-26 (.817) mark according to the NCAA.
Consensus Top Team In the Country
Ferris State is a consensus top three team in the country in every Division II poll this week, including as high as #2 in the current American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Rankings and the D2Football.com media poll along with the Massey Online Computer Ratings.
Home Of College Football's Greatest Rushing QB
Former FSU signal caller Jason Vander Laan, who was recently activated by the New Orleans Saints, finished his Bulldog Football career from 2012-15 with 5,953 career rushing yards, becoming the all-time record holder for most rushing yards by any QB at any level. He topped the previous career record of 5,128 yards held by Wofford's Shawn Graves from 1989-92. Vander Laan eventually finished as a two-time recipient of the Harlon Hill Trophy presented to Division II's top player, becoming the first GLIAC player to ever win the award twice. He also was the first player in NCAA history at any level to both rush and pass for 1,000 yards for four consecutive seasons.
Highest AFCA National Ranking
FSU's #2 national ranking in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Rankings the past two years matches the Bulldogs' second-place standing late in the 2015 regular season and early in the 2017 campaign for the school's highest ranking ever in the history of the coaches' poll that dates back to 2000. Previously, FSU was ranked as high as 1st nationally in 2015 by D2Football.com along with the Division II Power Rankings, but has never been #1 in the current coaches poll. Ferris State was ranked #1 for two weeks back in 1996 when the NCAA Football Committee produced the weekly rankings prior to the creation of the head coaches' poll. The Bulldogs have been #2 each week this season to date in the AFCA poll.
Bulldog All-Americans
The Bulldogs finished with six All-Americans a year ago, including Harlon Hill Trophy winning QB Jayru Campbell along with left tackle Devon Johnson, guard Nic Sawyer, defensive end Austin Edwards, linebacker Sam Heyboer and defensive back Delon Stephenson. All but Sawyer and Johnson returned this season.
School Record 15 Victories
Ferris State topped a school all-time record by winning 15 games last season and eclipsed the previous mark of 12 wins. The Bulldogs won 12 games in both 1995 and 2016 en route to national semifinal appearances both years. Ferris State won its 450th game in program history with the round one playoff win over Harding. Last season, the Bulldogs beat six teams ranked in the top 25 at one point in the AFCA poll.
100th Collegiate Victory
Ferris State head coach Tony Annese posted his 100th collegiate coaching victory with the win over Davenport on Nov. 3 of last year in Big Rapids. Annese owns a 85-15 mark to date at the Bulldog helm and also posted 30 victories on the junior college level at Grand Rapids CC following a highly-decorated prep coaching career in Michigan.
Best Stretch In School History
Ferris State's 70 wins in the last six years (2014-19) marks the Bulldogs' best stretch in school history. In addition, the 78 wins in the past seven seasons (78-10) from 2013-19 tops the 1991-97 era for the most wins over a six-year span in program history. FSU went 52-8-2 while capturing five-straight Michigan Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) crowns from '92-96.
First In School History
Ferris State quarterback Jayru Campbell became the first player in the 111-year history of Bulldog Football to run, catch and throw for a score in the same game in last year's rivalry win over against Grand Valley State. Campbell made his first FSU reception on a key fourth down throwback pass for a 31-yard score with 3:11 remaining against the Lakers. The play, which included slot Jevon Shaw throwing the ball, was the NCAA.com National Play of the Week.
Five Touchdown Quarterbacks
With his performance against Findlay early last year, FSU QB Jayru Campbell became the fifth different starting quarterback under Tony Annese at Ferris State to account for five touchdowns or more in a single game. Every QB who has started a game at FSU under Annese's direction now has at least a four TD game. Campbell accomplished the feat again at Northern Michigan and in a victory against Wayne State for the third time last season before doing so against the Warriors again this year.
Awesome Run
Under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have lost only three regular-season games over the past six years dating back to mid-October of 2013. Two of the setbacks came in 2016 when the Bulldogs eventually made their deepest postseason run prior to last year with a trip to the NCAA-II National Semifinals. Since the middle part of the 2013 season, FSU has only lost once to Grand Valley State and twice to Ashland in regular-season action. The Bulldogs own a 66-3 (.956) regular-season mark since closing the 2013 season by winning their final four games.
A Winning Season
Ferris State has officially clinched its 14th winning season in the last 17 years this season. FSU has now finished with a winning season 22 times in the last 30 campaigns, including 17 times in the last 24 years and all eight seasons under current head coach Tony Annese. The Bulldogs won five consecutive conference championship titles from 1992-96 and were league co-champions in 1999 prior to back-to-back conference crowns in 2014 and 2015 in addition to the 2018 and 2019 league titles.
Deepest Previous Postseason Run
Ferris State had its deepest previous NCAA Playoff run in 21 years in 2016 since reaching the NCAA Division II National Semifinals in 1995, which had represented the highest finish in school history before last year's run to the national championship game. The Bulldogs also made the postseason in 1996 along with 2014 and 2015, but did not make it past the second round. Before the last three seasons, the only other time FSU played in the final month of the year took place on Dec. 2,1995, when FSU fell 45-7 in the national semfinals on the road at North Alabama.
Home Field Edge
Last year not only represented the Bulldogs' fifth-straight NCAA Playoff appearance, but it was also the fifth year in a row in which FSU played host to at least one playoff game at Top Taggart Field. In 2014, the Bulldogs hosted a playoff game for the first time in 18 years, falling to league rival Ohio Dominican 46-33 while making their first postseason berth since 1996. In 2015, FSU topped Texas A&M Commerce 48-30 in the first round at home before suffering a 38-34 setback to GLIAC rival Grand Valley State in the second round at Top Taggart Field. In 2016, FSU beat Midwestern State (65-34) and Colorado Mines (38-17) in the first rwo rounds before topping rival Grand Valley State on the road (47-32) prior to a national semifinal setback at NW Missouri State (35-20). In 2017, FSU hosted both Ouachita Baptist and Harding in home playoff action before also hosting Harding and Northwest Missouri State in 2018. FSU will host a playoff game for the sixth consecutive year this season.
GLIAC Preseason Poll
The Bulldogs were picked again to finish at the top of the league as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) unveiled its 2019 GLIAC Football Preseason Poll with the Bulldogs first overall. Ferris State picked up 64 total points and eight of a possible nine first-place votes. Behind FSU was Ashland in second place with 55 points followed by Grand Valley State, which totaled 51 points and the other first-place mention.
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Ferris State junior quarterback Travis Russell (Grand Rapids/West Catholic) was chosen as one of the nominees for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football. The list of 137 nominees was announced by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). It marks the second consecutive year in which Russell has been a nominee for the honor. Two years ago, former teammate and three-time All-America center Jake Daugherty (Big Rapids) was eventually chosen as one of the members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and invited to be honored at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Interception King
Ferris State linebacker Delon Stephenson (Sayreville, N.J.) had five interceptions in a three-game span last year for the Bulldogs. Overall last year, the standout had two "pick six" interception returns for scores. He received the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honor following a win at Grand Valley State when he picked off two passes in the game with both coming at key times in the contest. He added another INT in the playoff win over Northwest Missouri State.
NFF Hampshire Honor Society
For the fifth consecutive year, Ferris State ranked as one of the top GLIAC members and in-state NCAA Division I and II schools with five student-athletes chosen to the 2019 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society for their work both on the field and in the classroom. The NFF Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football senior players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout in their college career.
Did You Know?
This year marks the fourth time in the past five years the Bulldogs were tabbed as one of the country's top three teams in at least one preseason national ranking.
Follow On Twitter
In addition to radio and internet coverage, Bulldog fans can also follow Saturday's contest with live scoring updates on several official social media platforms. Visit www.twitter.com/FerrisFootball to follow the tweet-by-tweet coverage with periodic scoring updates or visit www.facebook.com/FerrisFootball.