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GVSU Football Eliminates Ferris State From NCAA D2 Football Playoffs

GVSU Football Eliminates Ferris State From NCAA D2 Football Playoffs

GVSU Football and Ferris State meet once again in the NCAA Division 2 Football Playoffs. Follow the action live from Lubbers Stadium.

Nov 18, 2023 by Joe Harrington
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Grand Valley State Football did something no team, including the Lakers, has been able to do in two years on Nov. 18. 

They beat the Ferris State Bulldogs in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. 

In what was a defensive struggle for most of the game, one that included a run or 10 straight punts, GVSU used a late third quarter and early fourth quarter explosion to take the lead. 

After a stalemate for most of the third quarter, including GVSU punting for seven straight drives, the Lakers found the endzone for the first time since the first quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Cade Peterson to Darrell Johnson. 

A few minutes later, after a Ferris State punt, Peterson broke the game open with a 72-yard touchdown pass to Cody Tierney. 

Ferris State’s offense struggled throughout the day and turned the ball over twice on fumbles. The Bulldogs scored late in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7 when Mylik Mitchell found Tyrese Hunt-Thompson for a 7-yard touchdown. 

Ferris State nearly rallied by cutting the game to 21-14, but a holding call wiped away a touchdown to keep the game at 21-7. On the next drive, GVSU fumbled and Carson Gulker found Xavier Wade 6 yards out for a touchdown with 18 seconds left in the game. 

Ferris State recovered the onside kick,  but couldn't score, ending the Bulldogs' two-year championship run. 

Below is a replay of the Anchor-Bone Classic Part 2 live blog: 

GVSU Football Hangs On For 21-14 Win

GVSU's Niles King sacked Carson Gulker to end the game. The Lakers advance. 

Ferris State Recovers Onside Kick! 

The Bulldogs have the ball with 16 seconds left after a successful onside kick. 

GVSU fumbles, Ferris State Scores A Touchdown. 

Comeback? Ferris State recovered a fumble deep in Lakers territory and scored on the next play to make it 21-14 with 18 seconds left.  

GVSU Football Takes After Ferris State Turns Ball Over On Down; 150 Left

GVSU leads Ferris State with 1:50 left in the game after Ferris State failed to score on an 18-play 80-yard drive that took 6:49 off the clock. Mylik Mitchell appeared to score with 2:44 left in the game, but a holding call wiped the score away. 

GVSU appears headed to the second round of the playoffs. 

Ferris State Fumbles As Time Is Running Out

Ferris State Football fumbled on the following drive to give the ball back to GVSu with less than 10 minutes left in the game. The Bulldogs trail 21-7. 

WATCH: 'Wide Open' GVSU Breaks Game Open With Big Touchdown

Pittsburgh State Takes 15-7 Lead Into Halftime

Pittsburgh State leads Indianapolis 15-7 at halftime. The winner will play either GVSU or Ferris State.

Grand Valley State Explodes For Another Touchdown | GVSU 21, Ferris State 7 | 12:47 4th QTR

After forcing a Ferris State punt, Cade Peterson found Cody Tierney for a 72-yard touchdown pass to give GVSU a 21-7 lead with 12:47 left. 

After Three Quarters, GVSU Football 15 Minutes Away From Second Round

GVSU scored late in the third quarter to take a 14-7 lead on the back-to-back defending NCAA Division II champion Ferris State. Can the Bulldogs rebound? Follow the quarter live!

Grand Valley State Football Offense Wakes Up. Takes The lead On Ferris State 14-7

GVSU snapped a streak of seven straight drives ending in a punt to take a 14-7 lead with less than a minute left in the third quarter. Cade Peterson connected with Cody Tierney for a 29-yard touchdown to cap a 7-play, 69-yard drive. 

GVSU Football Just Punted On The 7th Consecutive Drive

About two months after scoring 49 points against Ferris State, the Lakers have punted on seven straight possessions and a total of eight times. GVSU's lone touchdown came on a two-play, 15-yard drive.   

Ferris State Football Misses FG

The Bulldogs nearly took the lead after a terrific starting field position following a GVSU punt. But a false start on third down pushed Ferris State back and the Bulldogs missed a 43-yard field goal.

Pittsburgh State Leads University of Indianapolis 8-7

The winner of GVSU-Ferris State will play Pittsburgh or Indianapolis next week. If GVSU wins, they will host the second-round game. 

The Second Half Begins At Lubbers Stadium

GVSU and Ferris State are tied 7-7. Whose season will end in 30 minutes? Follow the second half live!

At Halftime: GVSU Football 7, Ferris State Football 7

Here are the first half numbers

Game Stats    Ferri State     GVSU

  • First Downs    8    8
  • Rushing Attempts    13    20
  • Rushing Yards    29    92
  • Rushing Avg    2.2    4.6
  • Receptions    8    6
  • Receiving Yards    90    34
  • Receiving Avg    11.3    5.7
  • Passing Yards    90    34
  • Pass C-A-I    8-15-0    6-15-0
  • Plays-Yards    28-119    35-126
  • Yards/Play    4.25    3.6
  • Kick Return Yards    1-31    2-66
  • Punt Return Yards    1-12    2-28
  • Interception-Yards    0-0    0-0
  • Fumbles-Yards    0-0    0-0
  • Fumbles-Lost    1-1    0-0
  • Penalties    1-5    1-15
  • Punts    5-39.8    6-34.5
  • Possession    11:22    18:38
  • 3rd Down Eff    1-6    2-8
  • 4th Down Eff    0-0    0-0

Ferris State Breaks Streak, Ties Game with 5 Seconds Left In Half

Ferris State broke the defensive stranglehold and scored a touchdown with five seconds left in the first half. Mylik Mitchell connected with Tyrese Hunt-Thompson for a 7-yard touchdown pass to cap a 9-play, 83-yard drive.

It's 7-7. 

An Even 10: GVSU Punts With 2:01 Left in First Half

The Lakers and Bulldogs have combined for 175 yards and 11 punts in the first half.

Make 9 Straight Punts In GVSU vs. Ferris State Football

Ferris State has now punted on all but one one its six drives

8 Straight Punts In GVSU vs. Ferris State Football

Yep. Eight. 

The Lakers and Bulldogs have combined for eight straight punts since GVSU scored the game's only touchdown. 

In the October meeting, the halftime score was 35-21 and GVSU led 35-0 with more than 12 minutes to play in the first half. 

After First Quarter: GVSU Football 7, Ferris State 0

The Lakers used a short field to grab the lead as the defense continues to thwart Ferris State, who has just 18 yards of offense.

GVSU Offense Not Doing Much Better vs. Ferris State

The Lakers have punted twice in the first quarter and scored its only touchdown on a short field as both team's defenses have come up big. The Lakers, though, have rushed for 44 yards and picked up five first downs. Through 20 plays, GVSU has 75 yards. 

Ferris State has just 18 yards of offense

Ferris State Football Offense Struggling

The defending champions are finding it difficult to move the ball so far against the No.2-ranked Lakers. The No.6-ranked Bulldogs have two first downs and just 11 rushing yards in their first three possession, which includes two punts and a fumble.

Grand Valley State Football 7, Ferris State 0 | 10:06, 1st QTR

The Lakers wasted no time capitalizing on the turnover as Tariq Reid scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown two plays later to give GVSU a 7-0 lead. 

Ferris State Commits First Turnover vs. FVSU

Grand Valley State Football recovered a Carson Gulker fumble on the Bulldogs' first offensive play of the game to regain possession after the opening drive stalled. 

GVSU took over deep in Ferris State territory. 

Kickoff is here! Here are GVSU Football and Ferris State Stats

GVSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2023 Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FS

51.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Points Per Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42.8

17.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PPG Allowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17.6

22.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .First Downs Per Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23.9

259.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rushing Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230.2

51.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rushing Avg. Allowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98.1

224.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passing Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247.5

220.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passing Avg. Allowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185.2

483.8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Offense Avg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .477.7

274.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Offense Avg. Allowed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283.3

30/39.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Punts/Net Avg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32/39.6

87/78.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Penalties/YPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131/117.0

10/4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fumbles/Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16/6

31:27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Time of Possession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31:01

How Many Times Has Ferris State vs. GVSU Happened In the Division 2 Football Playoffs?

This is the fifth time the two schools have played twice in a season since 2015. 

Here’s what happened in the playoffs: 

  • 2015: GVSU 38, Ferris State 34
  • 2019: Ferris State 21, Ferris State 16
  • 2016: Ferris State 47, GVSU 32
  • 2021: Ferris State 54, GVSU 20
  • 2022: Ferris State 24, GVSU 21

GVSU, Ferris State Football Ranked Once Again

This is the 13th straight Anchor-Bone Classic game where both teams are ranked. GVSU is No. 2, while Ferris State in No. 6. This is the sixth straight game where both teams are ranked in the top six. 

Since 2001, GVSU is 13-10 when both teams are ranked. 

Grand Valley State Football vs. Ferris State All-Time Record

The Lakers lead the all-time series 31-23-1. The Lakers are 15-12 at Lubbers Stadium. 

GVSU Football vs. Ferris State In The Playoffs

As unpleasant as the 2023 regular season loss for Ferris State was, GVSU has been on the other end of that when it mattered most: In the playoffs. 

GVSU’s season ended in the playoffs the last two seasons in the playoffs to Ferris State: 

  • 2022: Ferris State 24, GVSU 21
  • 2021: Ferris State 54, GVSU 20

Last season, GVSU was 12-0 and ranked No.1 before losing at home to No.5 Ferris State, who the Lakers had beaten 22-21 in October. 

What Happened In Ferris State Football vs. GVSU In October 2023

Grand Valley State led 35-0 with 12:29 left to play in the first half. 

Yeah, the Lakers were ready. 

Ferris State made a furious rally and with 2:26 left in the third quarter made it 35-28. Then GVSU surged ahead, scoring two more touchdowns to win 49-28. 

Cade Peterson finished with three touchdown passes and 151 yards passing, while Avery Moore scored two rushing touchdowns and rushed for 131 yards on just nine carries. 

Mylik Mitchell threw 195 yards for Ferris State, while Carson Gulker added 188 yards passing.  

When Is GVSU vs. Ferris State Football?

The Ferris State vs. Grand Valley State Football game is at 1 p.m. on Nov. 18 at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan. 

How To Watch Grand Valley State Football vs. Ferris State 

All Division II Football Playoff games from the first round through the quarterfinals will stream on Hudl TV. 

NCAA Division 2 Football Playoff Bracket 

Here is the bracket: 

Watch Grand Valley State vs. Ferris State Football Game From Oct. 14

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Here is the GVSU Football roster.

Ferris State Football Roster

Here is the Ferris State Football roster.

Grand Valley State Football Schedule 2023

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: Ferris State 28, Davenport 10
  • Nov. 11: Ferris State 63, Wayne State 19

NCAA Division 2 Football Rankings For Week 12 (Nov. 13)

  • No. 1   Colorado School of Mines (27)    11-0    723    
  • No. 2  Grand Valley St. (Mich.)    9-1    679    (Mich.)    
  • No. 3    Harding (Ark.) (1)    11-0    668   
  • No. 4    Benedict (S.C.) (1)    11-0    629    
  • No. 5    Ferris St. (Mich.)    8-2    587    
  • No. 6    Central Missouri    10-1    572   
  • No. 7    Pittsburg St. (Kan.)    10-1    556   
  • No. 8    Delta St. (Miss.)    9-1    511    
  • No.9    Tiffin (Ohio)    11-0    456   
  • No. 10    Western Colorado    10-1    452    
  • No.11    Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)    10-1    403   
  • No. 12    Texas-Permian Basin    10-1    388  
  • No.13    Virginia Union    10-1    356    
  • No. 14    Valdosta St. (Ga.)    10-1    349    
  • No. 15    Slippery Rock (Pa.)    10-1    347   
  • No. 16    Augustana (S.D.)    10-1    301      
  • No. 17t.    Indianapolis (Ind.)    9-1    204   
  • No. 17t.    Minnesota-Duluth    9-2    204    
  • No. 19    Minnesota St.    9-2    188      
  • No. 20    Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)    9-2    153    
  • No. 21    Bemidji St. (Minn.)    8-2    143   
  • No. 22    Davenport (Mich.)    8-2    93    
  • No. 23    West Florida    8-3    92    
  • No. 24    Charleston (W.Va.)    9-1    87  
  • No. 25    Henderson St. (Ark.)    9-2    86   

Dropped Out: Missouri Western St. (21), Central Washington (23)

Others Receiving Votes: Kutztown (Pa.), 46; Shepherd (W.Va.), 34; Missouri Western St., 20; Southern Arkansas, 19; Limestone (S.C.), 16; Central Washington, 14; Angelo St. (Tex.), 12; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 11; Emporia St. (Kan.), 8; Mars Hill (N.C.), 4; Truman St. (Mo.), 4; Virginia St., 4; New Haven (Conn.), 3; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 2; Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 1.

How To Watch The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoff

All Division II Football Playoff games from the first round through the quarterfinals will stream on Hudl TV. 

After the quarterfinals, the playoff games will be available on the ESPN Networks with the semifinals streaming live on ESPN+. 

The NCAA Division II Football National Championship Game will be on ESPN. 

NCAA Division 2 Football Playoff Schedule

Here is the schedule: 

First round: Saturday, Nov. 18

  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 4 Slippery Rock vs. East Stroudsburg
  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 2 Charleston (WV) vs. New Haven
  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 3 Kutztown vs. Virginia Union
  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne vs. Shepherd
  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 3 Valdosta State vs. Limestone
  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 2 Grand Valley State vs. Ferris State
  • 2 p.m. ET | No. 2 Delta State vs. West Florida
  • 2 p.m. ET |No. 4 Central Missouri vs. Henderson State
  • 2 p.m. ET | No. 3 Pittsburg State vs. UIndy
  • 2 p.m. ET | No. 4 Augustana (SD) vs. Minnesota State
  • 2 p.m. ET | No. 3 Texas Permian Basin vs. Bemidji State
  • 3 p.m. ET | No. 2 Western Colorado vs. Central Washington

Second round: Saturday, Nov 25

  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 1 Tiffin vs. Winner of No. 4 Slippery Rock/East Stroudsburg
  • 1 p.m. ET | Winner of No. 2 Charleston (WV)/New Haven vs. Winner of No. 3 Kutztown vs. Virginia Union
  • 1 p.m. ET | No. 1 Benedict vs. Winner of No. 4 Lenoir-Rhyne/Shepherd
  • 2 p.m. ET | No. 1 Harding vs. Winner of No. 4 Central Missouri/Henderson State
  • 3 p.m. ET | No. 1 Colorado School of Mines vs. Winner of No. 4 Augustana (SD)/Minnesota State
  • Time TBD | Winner of No. 2 Delta State/West Florida vs. Winner of No. 3 Valdosta State vs. Limestone
  • Time TBD | Winner of No. 2 Grand Valley State/Ferris State vs. Winner of No. 3 Pittsburg State/UIndy
  • Time TBD | Winner of No. 2 Western Colorado/Central Washington vs. Winner of No. 3 Texas Permian Basin/Bemidji State

When Are The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoff Second Round?

The second round begins on Nov. 25.

The four teams that received byes will play this round. 

When Are The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoff Quarterfinals?

The quarterfinals will begin on Dec. 2 on campus sites. 

When Are The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoff Semifinals?

The semifinals will begin on Dec. 9 on campus sites. 

When Are 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.

NCAA Division 2 Football Super Regional 4 Rankings

Here are the rankings for Super Regional Four on Nov. 5: 

  1. Colorado School of Mines    10-0    9-0
  2. Western Colorado University    9-1    9-1
  3. Central Washington    7-0    7-0
  4. Texas Permian Basin    8-1    7-1
  5. Bemidji State    8-1    8-1
  6. Augustana (South Dakota)    9-1    9-1
  7. Minnesota State Mankato    9-1    9-1
  8. Angelo State    6-3    5-3
  9. Wayne State (Nebraska)    7-3    7-3
  10. Texas A&M-Kingsville    6-3    5-3

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