In one of the biggest games in all NCAA football this week, Division 2 powerhouses No. 1 Grand Valley State will take on No. 3 Ferris State. The Anchor-Bone Classic, as it is known, has been around since 2003, with the teams playing at least once a year, every year, with the exception of the COVID-affected season in 2020. 

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This year, however, may top the previous matchups, in terms of pre-game hype. Both teams are ranked in the top five of both Top 25 polls, and the winning team takes home not only the glory, but puts themselves above their conference rival and likely secures the top spot in the rankings for another week. 

Here's what to know about the history of the Anchor-Bone classic.

How To Watch The Ferris State Vs. Grand Valley State Football Stream

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History Leading Up To Anchor-Bone Classic Trophy

• The Anchor-Bone Classic trophy was introduced in 2002, but the first match between GVSU and Ferris State dates back to 1972, with Ferris winning decisively 42-0. 

• Over the years, the rivalry evolved, marked by close games, including Ferris’ 26-23 win in 1976, and memorable moments like GVSU's thrilling 56-53 victory in 1998.

• GVSU has won the last two games against Ferris State, including one Anchor-Bone game and one in the 2023 D2 playoffs.

• Historically, Ferris State has won more games in the matchup, but since the trophy was introduced, GVSU leads the series 14-11.

Every Grand Valley State Vs. Ferris State Football Score

Here is every Anchor-Bone classic score since 2003. The teams have met twice in a season five times, playing each other in the playoffs each of the last three years, and 2016 and 2015. Playoff games are denoted in italics.

2023

• 11/18: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 21 - 14 Ferris State
• 10/14: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 49 - 28 Ferris State

2022

• 12/3: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 21 - 24 Ferris State
• 10/15: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 22 - 21 Ferris State

2021

• 11/27: Neutral, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 20 - 54 Ferris State
• 10/16: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 28 - 35 Ferris State

2019

• 11/9: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 16 - 21 Ferris State

2018

• 10/13: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 31 - 35 Ferris State

2017

• 10/21: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 27 - 28 Ferris State

2016

• 12/3: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 32 - 47 Ferris State
• 10/8: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 35 - 23 Ferris State

2015

• 11/28: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 38 - 34 Ferris State
• 9/19: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 24 - 61 Ferris State

2014

• 9/20: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 17 - 42 Ferris State

2013

• 10/12: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 44 - 54 Ferris State

2012

• 10/6: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 24 - 40 Ferris State

2011

• 10/22: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 57 - 10 Ferris State

2010

• 10/23: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 41 - 0 Ferris State

2009

• 9/19: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 17 - 10 Ferris State

2008

• 9/20: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 31 - 13 Ferris State

2007

• 10/27: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 34 - 7 Ferris State

2006

• 10/28: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 28 - 6 Ferris State

2005

• 8/27: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 30 - 10 Ferris State

2004

• 8/28: Away, Big Rapids, MI - GVSU 24 - 6 Ferris State

2003

• 9/13: Home, Allendale, MI - GVSU 40 - 10 Ferris State

How Did The GLIAC Football Teams Perform In Week 8?

All eight GLIAC teams saw conference action on Oct. 19.

• Roosevelt def. Northern Michigan, 16-10
• Ferris State def. Michigan Tech, 51-13
• Davenport def. Wayne State 43-26
• Grand Valley State def. Saginaw Valley State, 16-9

AFCA Division II Football Rankings For Week 9

Oct. 21, 2024

1. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (27) - Prev. 2
2. Valdosta St. (Ga.) (3) - Prev. 3
3. Ferris St. (Mich.) - Prev. 4
4. Kutztown (Pa.) - Prev. 5
5. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) - Prev. 9
6. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) - Prev. 7
7. Harding (Ark.) - Prev. 1
8. Western Colorado - Prev. 8
9. Central Oklahoma - Prev. 11
10. Colorado School of Mines - Prev. 12
11. Charleston (W.Va.) - Prev. 13
12. Colorado St.-Pueblo - Prev. 14
13. Minnesota St. - Prev. 15
14. Emporia St. (Kan.) - Prev. 16
15. Slippery Rock (Pa.) - Prev. 6
16. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) - Prev. 17
17. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) - Prev. 18
18. West Alabama - Prev. 10
19. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) - Prev. 20
20. Central Washington - Prev. 21
21. Indianapolis (Ind.) - Prev. 19
22. Southern Arkansas - Prev. 24
23. West Florida - Prev. 23
24. Delta St. (Miss.) - Prev. NR
25. Augustana (S.D.) - Prev. NR

Dropped Out: Frostburg St. (Md.) (22), Henderson St. (Ark.) (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Angelo St. (Tex.), 22; Findlay (Ohio), 22; California (Pa.), 21; Virginia Union, 20; Wayne St. (Neb.), 16; Wingate (N.C.), 10; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 8; Colorado Mesa, 7; Indiana (Pa.), 7; New Haven (Conn.), 7; Davenport (Mich.), 6; Frostburg St. (Md.), 6; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 4; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 3; Ashland (Ohio), 2; Emory & Henry (Va.), 1; Western Oregon, 1.

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