Ferris State Survives Against Saginaw Valley State In Overtime Thriller

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Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally second-ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs found a way in the end to survive, pulling out a thrilling 47-45 overtime victory over the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Saturday (Sept. 18) night at FSU's Top Taggart Field.

The Bulldogs overcame seven turnovers and 13 penalties to move to 3-0 on the year with the triumph in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener for both schools.

After Saginaw Valley State tied the game up on the final play of regulation, Ferris State seized control early in overtime, taking the lead on Marvin Campbell's one-yard TD run followed by a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Evan Cummins to H-Back Keidren Davis.

However, the Cardinals, as they did all night long, found a way to keep their hopes alive, completing a 10-yard TD throw from Matt Considine to Casey Williams at the goal line on their overtime possession.

On the potential two-point tying conversion play, though, the Bulldogs' Ian Hall broke up Considine's throw as FSU held on for the victory.

Overall, Ferris State rolled up 429 total yards compared to SVSU's 331 yards, which included 191 on the ground and 238 in the air. The Cardinals were limited to 62 rushing yards on 31 attempts, but threw for 269 yards overall.

Ferris State started strong, taking a 6-0 lead midway thru the first period on Cummins' one-yard TD run, which was his first of three touchdowns on the ground and one of six he accounted for in the game after getting the start in place of an injured Jared Bernhardt. SVSU did cut the margin to 6-2 after blocking the PAT and returning it the other way.

Saginaw Valley State took an 8-6 lead early in the second quarter after a pair of short Connor Luksic field goals, but the Bulldogs regained the advantage midway thru the second on the second of Cummins' one-yard scores.

After SVSU built a 15-13 lead on a 39-yard interception return for a score from Noah Suber, the Bulldogs eventually took a 20-15 halftime lead after moving 80 yards and scoring with five seconds left in the half on Cummins' five-yard TD throw to Xavier Wade.

The Bulldog lead grew early in the second half to 32-18 as Cummins hooked up with wideout Tyrese Hunt-Thompson on a 71-yard scoring strike and later found Wade on a 17-yard TD completion only five minutes into the second half.

But, the Cardinals responded as Tommy Scott scored twice on a pair of short runs to tie the game up. The second came with 13:09 remaining in the game.

Ferris State used a five-minute drive in the closing minutes to grab a 39-32 lead on yet another Cummins one-yard score with only 45 seconds to play. The Bulldogs appeared to have the game in hand, but SVSU drove down the field in the final 44 seconds to tie it back up on Considine's 10-yard throw to Isiah Johnson-Mack on the final play of regulation.

Overall, Cummins completed 14-of-29 throws for 177 yards and three scores for the Bulldogs while running for 83 yards and three TD's. Campbell had 109 yards rushing for FSU while Marcus Taylor caught nine passes for 121 yards. Defensively, nickel back Cyntell Williams paced the defense with nine total tackles.

Saginaw Valley State was led by Scott with 110 rushing yards while Considine threw for 270 yards and two TD's. Williams had eight catches for 88 yards.

The Bulldogs will host Davenport for homecoming next Saturday, Sept. 25, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. (ET) at Top Taggart Field. Tickets can be purchased online in advance at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.