BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- Ferris State football is headed to the division two semifinal for only the second time in program history after a 47-32 win over GLIAC rival Grand Valley State in the regional final. The last time the Bulldogs made it to the semifinals was 1995.
“Yeah you know, it’s huge for our university, it’s huge for our alumni base, it’s huge for the city of Big Rapids," said coach Tony Annese. "You know to be in the final four, you look at the NCAA basketball tournament and people talk about final four and that kind of thing, so that’s kinda where we’re at. We equate it to that. For us to fight through and put ourselves in that position and to win the three playoff games to be in the final four it’s just a great feeling. You feel like you’re representing the university the way you want to represent it with a great group of young men.”
And to still be playing football in December is enough motivation in itsel.
“Right now you’re running on adrenaline because you’re so excited to be out here still in December," said senior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo. "Two games left in the season if you’re fortunate enough to make it, so I don’t think it’s anything added, I think it’s just that much sweeter to be able to move on.”
“It’s kinda like Coach Annese always says, it doesn’t really matter who the opponent is because, whether it was Grand Valley or Texas A&M Commerce, we still had to win a game so for us it was just another win and we’re excited to be in the position we’re in," added junior offensive lineman Jake Daugherty. "We put ourselves there and it’s back to focus to play, you know, the best team in division two so we’re excited.”
The 12-2 bulldogs will be facing Northwest Missouri State Saturday at 3:30p.m.. The Bulldogs will most likely be using the combination of quarterback Reggie Bell and Trevor Bermingham that worked successfully in the teams win over Grand Valley State.
