White Holds Off The Red In High-Scoring Ferris State Spring Football Game

Photo Gallery 
Postgame Highlights 
Field-Level Highlights 
Coach Annese Postgame Interview 
Evan Cummins Postgame Interview 
Cam Underwood Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football squad wrapped up its spring drills with a highly-competitive Crimson & Gold Spring Game on Saturday (April 17) at FSU's Top Taggart Field, where the White squad held off the Red team by a 44-36 score in a game that came down to the final drive.

The contest featured a modified scoring system and a running clock utilized at the discretion of FSU head coach Tony Annese. 

"I feel great after this game and our kids have been unbelievably incredible since the moment this pandemic began until now in the way they have managed it," said Annese. "I'm very excited about this team and this is as good of a feeling as I've had in years. These kids have been so passionate in trying to be the best every step of the way." 

While several key standouts and returning squad members from FSU's 2019 league championship squad were held out of the game, the spring contest did provide an opportunity for a large group of young players to showcase their skills in front of the fans, many for the first time in a Bulldog uniform.

In the Bulldogs' first competitive action in 16 months since the 2019 NCAA Division II National Semifinals, the White team jumped in front early, building a 16-3 first quarter lead.

However, the red squad rallied and eventually took the lead in the second half before a game-winning TD drive in the fourth quarter by the opposition. The Red team got the ball back and moved down the field, converting six first downs, but a potential game-winning drive was thwarted on fourth down with an incompletion in the end zone from the five-yard line with only seconds remaining.

Returning Bulldog quarterback Evan Cummins engineered the White team's early effort, finding wide receiver Cam Underwood for a pair of long first-half scoring throws. Eventually, four quarterbacks saw action between the two squads in the game. The Red team's Jesse Rivera also completed a touchdown throw on a nine-yard pass to H-Back/Tight End Mason Pline, a three-year member of FSU's men's basketball team who saw his first action in a football uniform. Running back Sincere Dent also scored on a 14-yard touchdown run.

The spring game featured a modified scoring format with the defense earning opportunities to score points on takeaways, three-and-outs along with forcing a punt. In addition to traditional scoring methods, the offense could also pick up extra points with a first down or a big play of 20 yards or more. Special teams action was not live and the contest featured four running clock quarters. 

A pair of former Bulldog standouts Malik Taylor, now with the NFL's Green Bay Packers, and Travis Russell served as the game's honorary captains.

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 Annese in 2012.

The Bulldogs are slated to open the 2021 season at home against the Findlay Oilers under the lights in non-conference action on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Top Taggart Field. Official kickoff times and ticket information will be announced in the near future.

SCORING SUMMARY:

First Quarter:
White - First Down
Red - Forced A Punt
White - Takeaway
White - Touchdown - Evan Cummins 50 yard pass to Cam Underwood
White - Extra point
White - 20+ yard play
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
White - Takeaway

Second Quarter:
Red - Forced a punt
White - Takeaway
White - Touchdown - Cummins to Underwood 60 yard pass
White - Extra point
White - 20+ yard play
Red - First Down
Red - 20+ yard play
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - Touchdown - Jesse Rivera to Mason Pline 9 yard pass
Red - Extra Point
Red - Forced a Punt
Red - 20+ yard play
Red - First Down

Third Quarter:
Red - First Down
Red - 20+ yard play
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - Field Goal - Jermaine Roemer 25 yards
White - 20+ yard play
White - First Down
White - First Down
White - First Down

Fourth Quarter:
White - First Down
White - Touchdown - Sincere Dent 14 yard run
White - Extra Point
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
Red - First Down
White - Turnover on downs