#1 Ferris State Stays Unbeaten With Senior Day Win Over Northern Michigan

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - Nationally top-ranked Ferris State University ran away from visiting Northern Michigan with a 70-35 victory on Saturday (Nov. 1) in the regular-season home finale at Top Taggart Field.

On Senior Day, the Bulldogs capitalized on their ground game, scoring eight rushing touchdowns, including a long 28-yard run, and ended the game with 597 total offensive yards. Quarterback efficiency was evident with 332 passing yards and two touchdowns, complemented by a key interception on defense. The Wildcats managed 355 total yards and five touchdowns, but Ferris State's offensive output proved too much to overcome.

"Offensively, we scored on every possession," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "I know we were out there playing fast. We had a good pace and good tempo going the whole game. We have a bunch of weapons out there, and we did a great job getting a lot of different players involved. That versatility is what you have to do if you want to keep defenses off balance. I think we did a good job with that today.

"Northern Michigan did a good job offensively," he added. "They do a really good job of keeping you off balance. I coached that offensive system from like 1987 to 1997. I love that system and I know how hard it is to defend."

FSU and NMU ended the first quarter tied at 14, with both teams capitalizing on efficient red zone opportunities. The Wildcats opened the scoring with a 17-play, 75-yard drive, converting crucial third and fourth downs before quarterback Trevor Theuerkauf's one-yard touchdown run to finish the opening march. The Bulldogs responded quickly, highlighted by a 25-yard pass from Wyatt Bower to Taariik Brett, setting up a five-yard touchdown run by Brett.

The Wildcats regained the advantage at 1:57 of the first stanza with Tucker Welch's two-yard scoring run, giving Northern Michigan a 14-7 advantage. Ferris State closed the quarter with a five-yard touchdown run from Bower, leveling the score with 41 seconds remaining in period one.

The second quarter opened with a pivotal interception by senior safety Justin Payoute, who returned Theuerkauf's hurried pass 18 yards, setting up Ferris State's drive at the Wildcats' 22-yard line. Carson Gulker capitalized on the opportunity with a 19-yard touchdown run at 14:17, giving FSU its first lead. Ferris State continued its offensive momentum with Bower connecting with Gulker for a 52-yard touchdown pass, and later slot receiver Brady Rose found wideout Tae Boyd for a 61-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 35-14. Northern Michigan responded with a late one-yard touchdown run by Theuerkauf, but the half ended with Ferris State holding a decisive 35-21 advantage.

"I'm having a lot of a lot of fun with playing these different roles," said Gulker. "I mean, people ask me what I play out there, and I just say 'football,' at this point. But yeah, I'm loving it. I'm having a blast being out there and having opportunities to make plays out there with the guys."

Ferris State widened its lead in the third quarter with a dominant offensive performance, outscoring Northern Michigan 14-0. Bower connected with Boyd on a 38-yard pass to set up a four-yard touchdown run by Rose, while quarterback Chase Carter later added a one-yard rushing score. The home team amassed 118 passing yards and 63 rushing yards during the period, maintaining possession for nearly 10 minutes and converting two fourth-down attempts. At the end of the third, the Bulldogs led 49-21.

FSU extended its lead over Northern Michigan in the fourth quarter, starting with Carter's 16-yard touchdown run at 13:53. Later, Carter added another rushing touchdown, a 10-yard run, with 9:08 remaininga. Northern Michigan responded with Theuerkauf connecting on an eight-yard touchdown pass to Sebastian Boyea at 4:10, closing the gap slightly. The Wildcats then capitalized on a turnover with Theuerkauf finding Jake Heemstra for a 27-yard touchdown pass at 3:52. However, Ferris State sealed the decisive win with Jaden Edington's one-yard touchdown run, cementing the final score at 70-35.

Bower completed 10 of 14 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown, while adding 41 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground. Carter contributed three rushing touchdowns on 62 yards from seven carries, complementing his 95 passing yards. Boyd made an impact with three receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown while Gulker ran six times for 44 yards and a score in addition to making two catches for 51 yards and another touchdown.

On the defensive side, freshman Brady Hamby led FSU with 11 tackles in the game and Markee Jones added nine stop along with a tackle for loss. Payoute recorded five tackles and secured an interception.

"We just have to be out there continuing to make plays on defense and playing our physical style," said Jones. "Like I said earlier in the week, we still haven't played our best football of the season as a defense. We just have to keep working toward getting there."

The win was the 23rd in a row for Ferris State going back to last season and the Bulldogs' 25th in a row at Top Taggart Field going back to 2022.

The Bulldogs improved to 9-0 overall this year and 5-0 atop the GLIAC standings with the win. It marked Ferris State's 13th-straight win under Annese against the Wildcats, who fell to 1-8 overall this campaign.

Ferris State will visit Saginaw Valley State next Saturday, Nov. 8, for a 1 p.m. (ET) conference matchup in University Center, Mich.