After two quarters, it looked like No. 9 Davenport Football was poised to capture its first win over Ferris State ever. 

Then the No. 7-ranked Bulldogs reminded everyone in NCAA Division II Football why they’ve won back-to-back national championships. 

Shon Stephens returned the opening kickoff of the second half 100 yards to give Ferris State the lead. Then, on the first play of the fourth quarter, he intercepted reigning GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week Jason Whittaker and returned the pass nine yards to seal the win. 

🚨 PICK SIX BULLDOGS 🚨@FerrisFootball | @GLIACsports pic.twitter.com/586qUdWNsG

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 4, 2023

• Subscribe To FloFootball To Watch More NCAA DII Football Action In 2023
• Ferris State Football In 2023: What To Know About The Bulldogs
• Davenport University Football In 2023: What To Know About The Panthers

Ferris State, which lost suffered its only GLIAC loss to GVSU, returned to the GLIAC championship race with a 28-10 win over previously undefeated Davenport on the road. 

Davenport regained some momentum against Ferris State at the end of the third quarter when the Panthers stopped Ferris State at the 1-yard line following a Carson Gulker fumble. But Stephens ended it emphatically with his second pick of the game. 

What Does This Mean For Ferris State, Davenport And Grand Valley State Football?

The loss means that likely three GLIAC teams – No. 3 Grand Valley State led Wayne State 35-0 at halftime– will enter the final week of the season with a chance to win the league. 

Grand Valley State plays Davenport at Lubber Stadium on Nov. 11. Ferris State hosts Wayne State. 

GVSU has a win over Ferris State. A win by Davenport in the final week could create a three-way tie for first place in the GLIAC standings heading into the playoffs. 

Re-live the game below with our live blog. 

Yeah, We're Thinking Ferris State Is Back

Que the John Wick Meme, Ferris State is officially back in championship form. The Bulldogs improved to 7-2 on the season and 5-1 in GLIAC play by using a dominant second halt to beat Davenport. 

Less than a month after losing to rival Grand Valley State in the Anchor-Bone Classic. the Bulldogs have reeled off three wins in a row, including a 56-0 victory over American International last week. 

The Bulldogs close the season with Wayne State at home next week.  

Davenport Football Suffers First Loss Of The Season

No. 9 Davenport closed out the 2023 home schedule with its third loss in about a year to rival Ferris State. 

The Panthers dropped to 0-8 all-time against Ferris State, which beat Davenport twice in 2022 enroute to its second NCAA Division II National Championship. 

Ferris State Football Gets Fourth Down Stop As Davenport Rally Ends | FSU 28, Davenport 10

Davenport tried to answer the Ferris State avalanche of scores in the second half with its second drive of the fourth quarter, but after six plays, the Panthers turned the ball over on downs as FSU took over on their 40-yard line. 

Shon Stephens Socres Again! Ferris State Football Pick Six To Open Quarter Pushes FSU Lead

Shon Stephens scored on the first play of the third quarter and did it again in the fourth. He intercepted Jason Whittaker and returned it nine yards for a touchdown. 

Ferris State leads 28-10. 

After 3 Quarters, Ferris State 21, Davenport 10

Can Davenport rally like it did last week? The Panthers have the ball after a big stop to end the third quarter. 

Ferris State Football Rides Big Third Quarter To Lead; Davenport Gets Big Stop | FSU 21, Davenport 10

Davenport Football led at halftime 10-7, and then Ferris State reminded the Panthers why the Bulldogs have won back-to-back national titles. 

The Bulldogs used a kickoff return for a touchdown and an 84-yard scoring drive to take a 21-10 lead, then looked poised to score another touchdown just as the third quarter was ending, but quarterback Carson Gulker fumbled at the Davenport 1-yard line. 

The Panthers took over at the 1-yard line. 

Ferris State Football Starting To Pull Away From Davenport | FSU 21, DU 10

No.7 Ferris State has come out of the second half on fire. 

The Bulldogs took their first lead with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and then, after the defense forced a punt, marched down the field for a 10-yard touchdown. Carson Gulker found Xavier Wade for the score. 

The drive went 84 yards on 10 plays and lasted for 4:16. 

WATCH: Ferris State's Shon Stephens Goes 100-yards For A Touchdown vs. Davenport

WHAT A START 😱@shonstephens31 returns the opening kick off to take back the lead for the Bulldogs.@FerrisFootball | @GLIACsports pic.twitter.com/VTqLtDMGzo

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) November 4, 2023

Ferris State Football Returns 2nd Half Kickoff Back | Ferris State 14, Davenport 10

Ferris State's Shon Stephens returned the opening kickoff back 100 yards top give the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead to start the second half. 

Grand Valley State Football Vs. Wayne State Underway

Elsewhere in Michigan, GVSU has kicked off. Watch the game on FloFootball!

Ferris State Vs. Davenport Football First Half Drive Chart

At Halftime of Ferris State Vs. Davenport Football: DU leads 10-7

The defenses have come up big so far with each team forcing turnovers. But it was Davenport, who hit a 42-yard field goal as the first half expired that takes the lead into halftime. Brandon Gielow hit the field goal. 

Ferris State will start the second half with the ball. 

Ferris State Football Matches Davenport | Ferris State 7, Davenport 7

After giving up the lead, Ferris States used a 50-yard pass from Mylik Mitchell to Tyrese Hunt-Thompson to set up a touchdown. The drive was eight plays and 90 yards and capped off by Trinidad Chambliss' 3-yard rushing touchdown. 

Davenport Football Takes Lead! Davenport 7, Ferris State 0

Five plays after a Ferris State fumble, Davenport scored the game's first touchdown when Jason Whittaker hit Myren Harris for a 21-yard touchdown throw. 

Ferris State vs. Davenport Football: Bulldogs Fumble

Davenport recovered a fumble after throwing a pick and took over deep in Ferris State territory. 

Ferris State Gets First Turnover Of Game As Davenport Throws Interception

The Bulldogs' Alston Ware picked off Jason Whittaker on the first play of the second quarter. 

After First Quarter, Davenport And Ferris State Football Game Scoreless

After two long drives that combined for 22 plays, neither team scored in the opening 15 minutes. Ferris State drove to the Davenport 5-yard line, but couldn't score. 

Ferris State ended the quarter with a punt on their second drive. 

Ferris State Football Hooks Field Goal | FSU 0, Davenport 0, 3:23 1st QTR

The Bulldogs defense stopped Davenport after 11 plays to start the game, then went on a march of their own. But their drive ended after 11 plays and 80 yards. It appeared Carson Gulker might have thrown a touchdown pass, but the play was called incomplete and upheld after a review. 

The Bulldogs tried a 22-yard field goal, but Eddie Jewett missed the kick. 

Davenport Opening Drive Stalls In Ferris State Territory 

A long opening drive for the Panthers stalled at the Ferris State 47-yard line after 11 plays. Bulldogs take over with 8:23 left in the first quarter. 

Davenport Football Vs. Ferris State Kickoff Is Here

It’s kickoff time in Caledonia, Michigan! Davenport will receive the opening kickoff. 

Davenport Football Vs. Ferris State Stats

Here are the stats for each team: 

DU…..  Category…..FSU 

33.3….. Points Per Game ….. 42.1 

16.6….. PPG Allowed …..18.4 

183.6 …..Rush Yards Per Game….. 229.1 

77.1 …..RYG Allowed….. 95.5 

211.0 …..Pass Yards Per Game….. 245.3 

187.3 …..PYG Allowed….. 179.1 

394.6 …..Total Yards Per Game….. 474.4 

264.4 …..TYG Allowed….. 274.6 

87/104.4 …..Penalties/YPG….. 110/122.3 

155….. First Downs….. 189 

35/106 (33%)….. 3rd Down Conv.….. 40/95 (42%) 

10/16 (63%) …..4th Down Conv.….. 10/18 (56%) 

23/136 …..Sacks/Yards….. 12/99 

6/51 …..Sacks Allowed/Yards….. 18/165 

14 …..Interceptions….. 10 

4 …..Interceptions Thrown….. 5 

31:12 …..Time of Possession/Game….. 31:11 

32/36 (89%) …..Red Zone Scores….. 27/40 (68%) 

19.8….. Kick Return Avg. …..16.0 

14.7 …..Punt Return Avg. ….. 19.4

Ferris State Football Is Undefeated Vs. Davenport Football

Ferris State has never lost to Davenport with a 7-0 all-time record against the Panthers.

NCAA Division II Super Region Rankings In Week 10

The top seven teams in the NCAA Division II Super Regions will make the playoffs. If the season ended today, here are the teams that would qualify for the playoffs from the GLIAC region (national ranking): 

• Pittsburg State (2nd)
• Harding (4th)
• GVSU (3rd)
• Central Missouri (11th)
• Indianapolis (8th)
• Davenport (9th)
• Ouachita Baptist (12th)
• Ferris State (7th)

Davenport Football Is 8-0. Who Else In NCAA Division 2 Football Is Undefeated?

Davenport is one of just eight teams that are currently undefeated in NCAA Division II.

The other undefeated teams are: 

• No. 1 Colorado School of Mines (9-0)
• No. 2 Pittsburgh State (9-0)
• No. 4 Harding (9-0)
• No. 5 Slippery Rock (9-0)
• No. 6 Benedict (9-0)
• No. 7 Indianapolis (8-0)

Davenport Quarterback Jason Whittaker Reigning GLIAC Offensive Player Of The Week

Davenport quarterback Jason Whittaker won GLIAC Offensive Player of The Week in Week 9 after he led a fourth-quarter comeback against visiting Saginaw Valley State. The Panthers trailed 21-9 with 9:22 left before Whittaker led two scoring drives, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another. He finished with 255 passing yards and rushed for 31 yards.

Davenport Vs. Ferris State Football 2022: What Happened?

The Bulldogs beat Davenport twice in 2022, including in the first round of the NCAA DII Football Playoffs. 

Davenport entered regular season game against No. 1 Ferris State with a similar 8-0 record but lost in Big Rapids 28-7. They followed that up with a 49-7 loss at home to GVSU. Despite the losses, Davenport advanced to the playoffs, where they played in Big Rapids, again, and this time in the snow. 

Ferris State didn’t waste time in their build up to another playoff run, beating Ferris State 41-7. 

It’s the last game Davenport has lost. 

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What Time Is The Davenport Vs. Ferris State Football Game?

The game will kickoff at 10:45 a.m. at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in Caledonia, Michigan. 

How To Watch The Ferris State Football Vs. Davenport Football Game

The Ferris State and Davenport game is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app. Both platforms will be home to game replays, highlights and breaking news.

What Is GVSU Football Doing? Where Does The GLIAC Football Title Race Stand?

If Davenport beats Ferris State, the Panthers will win a share of the GLIAC title. 

They will win the league outright with a win over Ferris State and a GVSU loss today.  The Bulldogs, meanwhile, would be eliminated from GLIAC title contention.

GVSU, though, can win the conference outright with a win over Wayne State today and win over Davenport in Week 11, the last week of the season. Both games are streaming on FloFootball. 

A loss by GVSU and Davenport this week and next week, and wins by Ferris State in both weeks will give the GLIAC to Ferris State. 

GLIAC Football Standings In Week 10

• DAVENPORT                  4-0    8-0
• GRAND VALLEY ST.      4-0    7-1
• FERRIS STATE               3-1    6-2
• WAYNE ST. (MICH.)     2-2    3-6
• SAGINAW VALLEY       1-3    4-5
• MICHIGAN TECH         1-4    4-4
• NORTHERN MICH.       0-5    0-9

Davenport Football Schedule 2023 

• Sept. 2: Davenport 31,Thomas More 17
• Sept. 9:Davenport 24, Bowie State 19
• Sept. 23: Davenport 55, William Jewell 27
• Sept. 30: Davenport 28,  Michigan Tech 0
• Oct. 7: Davenport 28, Northern Michigan 12
• Oct. 14: Davenport 32, Wayne State 3
• Oct. 21: Davenport 44, University of Mary 34
• Oct. 28: Davenport 24, Saginaw Valley State 21
• Nov. 4: Ferris State, noon ET
• Nov. 11: at Grand Valley State, 1 p.m. ET

Ferris State Football Schedule 2023

• Aug. 31: Ferris State 54, Mercyhurst 12
• Sept. 9: Ferris State 38, Ashland 28 
• Sept. 16: Montana 17, Ferris State 10
• Sept. 30: Ferris State 78, Northern Michigan 3
• Oct. 7: Ferris State 38, Saginaw Valley State 17
• Oct. 14: Grand Valley State 49, Ferris State 28
• Oct. 21: Ferris State 35, at Michigan Tech 21
• Oct. 28:  Ferris State 56, American International 0
• Nov. 4: at Davenport, 12 p.m.
• Nov. 11: Wayne State, 1 p.m.

NCAA Football D2 Rankings For Week 10 (Oct. 30)

1. Colorado School of Mines (26)    9-0    720    
2. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) (1)    9-0    694    
3. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (1)    7-1    662    
4. Harding (Ark.)    9-0    637    4    
5. Slippery Rock (Pa.) (1)    9-0    582    
6. Benedict (S.C.)    9-0    573    
7. Ferris St. (Mich.)    6-2    534    
8. Indianapolis (Ind.)    8-0    503    
9. Davenport (Mich.)    8-0    484    
10. Minnesota St.    8-1    437    
11. Central Missouri    8-1    406    
12. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)    8-1    399    
13. Bemidji St. (Minn.)    7-1    353    
14. Delta St. (Miss.)    7-1    322    
15. Western Colorado    8-1    321    
16. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)    8-1    291    
17. Tiffin (Ohio)    9-0    282   
18. 18    Texas-Permian Basin    8-1    228    
19. Virginia Union    8-1    210    
20. Valdosta St. (Ga.)    8-1    207    
21. Augustana (S.D.)    8-1    183    
22. Virginia St.    8-1    86    
23. Missouri Western St.    7-2    69    
24. Central Washington    7-2    54    
25. Mars Hill (N.C.)    7-1    43    

Dropped Out: West Florida (18), Shepherd (W.Va.) (20), Truman St. (Mo.) (21), Minnesota-Duluth (25)

Others Receiving Votes: West Florida, 33; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 30; Minnesota-Duluth, 24; Shepherd (W.Va.), 19; Henderson St. (Ark.), 10; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 8; Angelo St. (Tex.), 7; Southern Arkansas, 5; Truman St. (Mo.), 4; Charleston (W.Va.), 2; Fairmont St. (W.Va.), 2; New Haven (Conn.), 1.

How Does The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoffs Work?

The 50th anniversary of the NCAA Division II Playoffs will feature 28 teams in a single-elimination tournament. 

How Division II decides which teams go to the postseason, however, is through a completely different process than the postseasons of the FCS and Division III. 

The Super Region system is unique to Division II, where no conference has an automatic bid to the playoffs, and the postseason places are decided by the top-ranked teams in each of the four Super Regions – groups of conferences (and potentially independents) in a similar geographic area. 

• More On The NCAA Division II Playoffs: How Do The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs Work?

A top-10 Super Regional ranking of all the conference members in a particular Super Region is released each of the final three weeks of the regular season. At the end, the teams considered by the selection committee to make up the top 7 in each Super Region, qualify for their Super Region’s playoff bracket, where the No. 1 seed receives a first-round bye. 

For 2023, Super Region 1 mainly consists of Midwestern/eastern schools, Super Region 2 the southeast, Super Region 3 the Midwest, mid-south and Great Plains and Super Region 4 much of Division II’s northern and western membership, plus Texas. 

- Brian Napier

When Do The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the playoffs begin on Nov. 18. 

When Is The NCAA Division 2 Football National Championship Game?

The NCAA Division II Football National Championship Game is Dec. 16 at McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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