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Ferris State Bulldogs football, 2020–present

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The Ferris State Bulldogs football program, 2020–present represented Ferris State University during the 2020s in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team has been led by head coach Tony Annese since 2012. Highlights of the decade included:

  • The 2021 Ferris State Bulldogs football team compiled a perfect 14–0 record, including a victory over Valdosta State in the Division II national championship game. It was the school's first national championship in football. Quarterback Jared Bernhardt led the team in passing, rushing, and scoring, and was named GLIAC Player of the Year.
  • The 2022 team won the school's second consecutive Division II national championship, defeating Colorado Mines in the national championship game. Caleb Murphy tallied 25.5 sacks and 39 tackles for loss, was selected as the GLIAC Player of the Year and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in college football, regardless of division.
  • The 2023 team was ranked No. 3 at the end of the regular season and lost on the road to No. 2 Grand Valley State in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
  • The 2024 team compiled a 14–1 record and won the school's third national championship in four years. Dual-threat quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy after tallying 26 passing touchdowns and 25 rushing touchdowns.

Quick facts 2020–present, Conference ...
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The team played its home games at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Decade overview

More information Year, Head coach ...
Year Head coach Overall record Conf. record Conf. rank Points scored Points allowed Delta[1] Postseason result AFCA ranking
2021Tony Annese14–07–01661256+405W, Division II national championship game1
2022Tony Annese14–15–12537219+318W, Division II national championship game1
2023Tony Annese8–35–12442197+245L, Division II first round3
2024Tony Annese14–17–01675197+478W, Division II national championship game1
TOTAL50–524–2
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NCAA Division II national champion

2020

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

Quick facts NCAA Division II national championGLIAC champion, NCAA Division II Championship Game, W 58–17 vs. Valdosta State ...
2021 Ferris State Bulldogs football
2021 GLIAC Player of the Year Jared Bernhardt
NCAA Division II national champion
GLIAC champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 1
Record14–0 (7–0 GLIAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorSteve Annese (10th season)
Offensive schemeSpread option
Defensive coordinatorRyan Hodges (7th season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumTop Taggart Field
Seasons
 2019
2022 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2021 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 70  140 
No. 7 Grand Valley State ^ 61  102 
Michigan Tech 52  64 
Saginaw Valley State 43  74 
Northern Michigan 25  47 
Davenport 25  38 
Wayne State (MI) 25  29 
Northwood 07  19 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
Close

The 2021 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season. In their tenth year under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs compiled a perfect 14–0 record (7–0 in conference games), won the GLIAC and NCAA Division II national championships, and outscored opponents by a total of 661 to 256.[2] They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoff where they defeated Valdosta State in the national championship game.[3] This was their first appearance in the championship game since the 2018 game.[3] Ferris State defeated Valdosta State, 58–17. The win gave Ferris State its first national championship in football.[4][5]

Senior quarterback Jared Bernhardt, who previously won the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's best collegiate lacrosse player while attending the University of Maryland, led the team in passing, rushing, and scoring. He completed 87 of 123 passes (70.7%) for 1,321 yards, 11 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 182.4 efficiency rating. Bernhardt also led the team with 1,421 rushing yards on 159 carries for an average of 8.9 yards per carry. He scored 156 points on 26 rushing touchdowns.[2]

Other key players included:

  • Sophomore quarterback Mylik Mitchell also contributed to the offense, completing 84 of 130 passes (64.6%) for 1,321 yards, 12 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 177.4 efficiency rating.[2]
  • Junior wide receiver Marcus Taylor led the team with 64 receptions for 863 yards.[2]
  • Senior linebacker Liam Daly led the team 92 total tackles.[2]
  • Sophomore defensive end Caleb Murphy led the team with 21.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks.[2]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 27:30 p.m.Findlay*No. 3W 54–146,625
September 117:00 p.m.at Ashland*No. 2
W 45–193,975[6]
September 187:00 p.m.Saginaw Valley StateNo. 2
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 47–45 OT6,012
September 253:00 p.m.Davenport*daggerNo. 3
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI (rivalry)
W 38–06,636
October 21:00 p.m.at NorthwoodNo. 3
W 67–251,982
October 167:00 p.m.at No. 7 Grand Valley StateNo. 3W 35–2817,007
October 231:00 p.m.at Michigan TechNo. 1
W 38–101,332
October 301:00 p.m.Northern MichiganNo. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 44–242,460
November 612:00 p.m.at DavenportNo. 1
W 50–141,266
November 131:00 p.m.Wayne StateNo. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 35–131,743
November 271:00 p.m.No. 4 Grand Valley State*No. 1
W 54–203,742
December 41:00 p.m.No. 3 Northwest Missouri State*No. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)
W 41–204,127
December 113:30 p.m.No. 8 Shepherd*No. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II Semifinal)
ESPN+W 55–72,473
December 189:00 p.m.vs. No. 5 Valdosta State*No. 1ESPNUW 58–173,933[7][8]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
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Rankings

More information Week, Poll ...
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011Final
AFCA32 (1)2 (1)33331 (23)1 (26)1 (24)1 (25)1 (30)1 (30)
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2022

Quick facts NCAA Division II national champion, NCAA Division II Championship Game, W 41–14 vs. Colorado Mines ...
2022 Ferris State Bulldogs football
2022 GLIAC Player of the Year Caleb Murphy
NCAA Division II national champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 1
Record14–1 (5–1 GLIAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorSteve Annese (11th season)
Defensive coordinatorRyan Hodges (8th season)
Home stadiumTop Taggart Field
Seasons
 2021
2023 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2022 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Grand Valley State $^ 60  121 
No. 1 Ferris State ^ 51  141 
No. 20 Davenport ^ 42  83 
Saginaw Valley State 33  83 
Michigan Tech 24  47 
Northern Michigan 15  47 
Wayne State (MI) 06  19 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
Close

The 2022 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their 11th year under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs compiled a 14–1 record (5–1 in conference games), finished second in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 537 to 219.[9] They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they defeated Davenport in the first round, Pittsburg State in the second round, Grand Valley State in the quarterfinals, West Florida in the semifinals, and Colorado Mines in the Division II national championship game to repeat as NCAA Division II champions.

Defensive end Caleb Murphy tallied 25.5 sacks and 39 tackles for loss.[10] He was the first Division II player to receive the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in college football, regardless of division. He was also named the GLIAC Player of the Year and won the Cliff Harris Award (top defensive lineman, lower divisions) and the Gene Upshaw Award (best Division II lineman). The team's other key players included:

  • Quarterback Carson Gulker led the team in rushing with 882 yards on 187 carries for an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He also led the team in scoring with 186 points on 31 rushing touchdowns. Gulker also had 701 passing yards and a team-high 145.6 passer efficiency rating.[10]
  • Quarterback Mylik Mitchell completed 114 of 183 passes (62.3%) for 1,512 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 139.2 efficiency rating.[10]
  • The team's leading receivers were Tyrese Hunt-Thompson (39 receptions, 714 yards, 18.3 yards per reception) and CJ Jefferson (58 receptions, 710 yards, 12.2 yards per carry).[10]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 1Central Washington*No. 1
W 36–207,101[11]
September 10at Lenoir–Rhyne*No. 1
W 27–52,094[12][13]
September 24Waldorf*daggerNo. 1
W 69–35,093[14]
October 1at Findlay*No. 1
W 38–7728[15]
October 8at Saginaw Valley StateNo. 1W 33–283,627[16]
October 15 No. 2 Grand Valley StateNo. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI (Anchor-Bone Classic)
L 21–2212,661[17]
October 22Michigan TechNo. 7
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 28–204,914[18]
October 29at Northern MichiganNo. 7W 56–201,769[19]
November 5DavenportNo. 7
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 28–73,600[20]
November 12at Wayne StateNo. 6
W 40–141,675[21]
November 19 No. 21 Davenport*No. 5
W 41–71,107[22]
November 26 No. 4 Pittsburg State*No. 5
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II second round)
W 17–142,312[23]
December 3at No. 1 Grand Valley State*No. 5
W 24–2113,001[24]
December 10 No. 6 West Florida*No. 5
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II semifinal)
W 38–175,105[25]
December 17vs. No. 10 Colorado Mines*No. 5W 41–146,333[26][27]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
Close

2023

Quick facts NCAA Division II playoffs, first round, L 14–21 vs. Grand Valley State, Conference ...
2023 Ferris State Bulldogs football
NCAA Division II playoffs, first round, L 14–21 vs. Grand Valley State
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record8–3 (5–1 GLIAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorSteve Annese (12th season)
Offensive schemeSpread option
Defensive coordinatorRyan Hodges (9th season)
Home stadiumTop Taggart Field
Seasons
 2022
2024 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2023 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Grand Valley State $^ 60  112 
No. 9 Ferris State ^ 51  83 
Davenport 42  82 
Saginaw Valley State 33  65 
Wayne State (MI) 24  38 
Michigan Tech 15  55 
Northern Michigan 06  011 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
Close

The 2023 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season. In their 12th season under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs compiled an 8–3 record (5–1 in conference games), finished second in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 442 to 197. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 3 at the end of the regular season, advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost to No. 2 Grand Valley State in the first round.

Prior to the season opener, Ferris State was ranked No. 1 nationally by Lindy's Sports and was ranked first in the GLIAC coaches poll.[28]

The Bulldogs' 17–10 loss on September 16 to Division I FCS Montana snapped a six-year, 28-game road winning streak dating to September 2017.[29]

In their homecoming match against Northern Michigan on September 30, the Bulldogs set new school records for points scored (78, of which 55 were scored in the first half) and for largest margin of victory (75 points). They tallied 705 yards of total offense, including 497 rushing yards in the game.[30]

The team's statistical leaders included:

  • Senior quarterback Mylik Mitchell completed 102 of 167 passes (61.1%) for 1,524 yards, 11 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 154.7 passer efficiency rating.[31]
  • Sophomore quarterback Carson Gulker led the team in rushing with 707 rushing yards. He also led the team in scoring with 84 points on 14 rushing touchdowns. In the air, he tallied 722 passing yards (second on the team) and a team-high 179.6 passer efficiency rating.[31]
  • The team's leading receivers were Xavier Wade (42 receptions, 866 yards, 20.4-yard average) and Tyrese Hunt-Thompson (40 receptions, 759 yards, 19.0-yard average).[31]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
August 318:00 p.m.MercyhurstNo. 1FloSportsW 54–125,114[32]
September 97:00 p.m.at AshlandNo. 1
W 38–283,365[33]
September 168:00 p.m.at No. 12 Montana (Division I FCS)No. 1ESPN+L 10–1726,978[29]
September 303:00 p.m.Northern MichigandaggerNo. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
FloSportsW 78–35,642[30]
October 71:00 p.m.Saginaw Valley StateNo. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
FloSportsW 38–173,124[34]
October 143:00 p.m.at No. 7 Grand Valley StateNo. 1FloSportsL 28–4916,577[35][36]
October 211:00 p.m.at Michigan TechNo. 9
FloSportsW 35–211,233[37]
October 281:00 p.m.American International*No. 8
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
FloSportsW 56–02,400[38]
November 412:00 p.m.at No. 9 DavenportNo. 7
FloSportsW 28–102,150[39]
November 111:00 p.m.Wayne State (MI)No. 6
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
FloSportsW 63–192,155[40]
November 181:00 p.m.at No. 2 Grand Valley StateNo. 5
  • Lubbers Stadium
  • Allendale, MI (NCAA Division II first round)
L 14–2114,109[41][42][43][44]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

2024

Quick facts GLIAC championNCAA Division II national champion, NCAA Division II National Championship Game, W 49–14 vs. Valdosta State ...
2024 Ferris State Bulldogs football
GLIAC champion
NCAA Division II national champion
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 1
Record14–1 (7–0 GLIAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorSteve Annese (13th season)
Offensive schemeSpread option
Defensive coordinatorRyan Hodges (10th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorTony Annese II (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumTop Taggart Field
Seasons
 2023
2025 
Close

The 2024 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season. In their 13th season under head coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs compiled a 14–1 record (7–0 in conference games) and outscored opponents by a total of 675 to 197, a delta of 478 points. After losing the season opener on the road against Pittsburg State, the Bulldogs finished the season with 14 consecutive victories and won the GLIAC championship and the NCAA Division II national championship. Ferris State participated in the Division II playoffs, defeating Central Oklahoma in the second round, defending national champion Harding in the quarterfinals, Slippery Rock in the semifinals, and Valdosta State in the Division II national championship game.

Junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss completed 226 of 367 passes (61.6%) for 2,925 yards, 26 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 148.6 passer efficiency rating. Chambliss also tallied 1,019 rushing yards and led the team in scoring with 150 points on 25 rushing touchdowns.[45] In April 2025, Chambliss announced that, rather than return to Ferris State for his senior year, he was transferring to Ole Miss.[46]

Kannon Katzer was the team's leading ground-gainer with 1,128 rushing yards on 128 carries, an average of 8.8 yards per carry.[45]

Senior Emari O'Brien was the leading receiver with 48 catches for 657 yards.[45]

2025

Quick facts Conference, Ranking ...
2025 Ferris State Bulldogs football
ConferenceGreat Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 1
Record5–0 (1–0 GLIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumTop Taggart Field
Seasons
 2024
2026 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2025 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 70  160 
Grand Valley State 52  73 
Saginaw Valley State 52  65 
Michigan Tech 43  74 
Davenport 43  55 
Northern Michigan 25  38 
Roosevelt* 16  28 
Wayne State (MI) 07  011 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • * – Roosevelt ineligible for postseason play due to transition from NAIA
Rankings from AFCA poll
Close

The 2025 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represents Ferris State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division II football season. Tony Annese is expected to lead the team in his 14th season as the Bulldogs' head coach.

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 286:00 p.m. No. 9 Pittsburg State*No. 1W 34–17 5,434 [47]
September 62:00 p.m.at Lake Erie*No. 1
W 63–6 494
September 136:00 p.m.Tiffin*No. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 41–34 3,356
September 203:00 p.m.Rio Grande*daggerNo. 1
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 76–0 5,477
October 41:00 p.m.at RooseveltNo. 1W 66–0592
October 111:00 p.m.Wayne State (MI)
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
W 59–03,124
October 1812:00 p.m.at Michigan Tech
October 251:00 p.m.Grand Valley State
November 11:00 p.m.Northern Michigan
  • Top Taggart Field
  • Big Rapids, MI
November 81:00 p.m.at Saginaw Valley State
November 1512:00 p.m.at Davenport
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time
Close

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