Ferris State Bulldogs football
College football team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ferris State Bulldogs football team represents Ferris State University in NCAA Division II college football. The Bulldogs began playing football in 1900, and compete as members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Ferris State's home games are played on campus at Top Taggart Field located in Big Rapids, Michigan.
13th season, 153–21 (.879)
| Ferris State Bulldogs football | |
|---|---|
| |
| First season | 1900 |
| Athletic director | Steve Brockelbank |
| Head coach | Tony Annese 13th season, 153–21 (.879) |
| Location | Big Rapids, Michigan |
| Stadium | Top Taggart Field[1] (capacity: 6,200) |
| NCAA division | Division II |
| Conference | GLIAC |
| Colors | Crimson and gold[2] |
| National championships | |
| Claimed | Div. II: 4 (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) |
| College Football Playoff appearances | |
| Div. II: 16 (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) | |
| Conference championships | |
| GLIAC: 14 (1974, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025) MOCC: 1 (1937) | |
| Website | ferrisstatebulldogs.com/fball |
Ferris State has won four NCAA Division II football championships, in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. The 2018 team also advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game, losing by two points to Valdosta State. In 13 seasons under head coach Tony Annese (2012–2019, 2021–2025), the Bulldogs have compiled a 153–21 record and have been ranked among the top ten Division II teams every year since 2015.
Conference history
- 1899–1937: Independent
- 1938–1941: Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference
- 1946–1955: Independent
- 1956–1973: NAIA independent
- 1974–1989: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- 1990–1998: Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference
- 1999–present: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Championships
National championships
| Year | Association | Division | Head coach | Record | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NCAA (4) | Division II (4) | Tony Annese | 14–0 (7–0 GLIAC) | Valdosta State | W, 58–17 |
| 2022 | 14–1 (5–1 GLIAC) | Colorado Mines | W, 41–14 | |||
| 2024 | 14–1 (7–0 GLIAC) | Valdosta State | W, 49–14 | |||
| 2025 | 16–0 (7–0 GILAC) | Harding | W, 42–21 |
Harlon Hill Trophy winners
Ferris State has three Harlon Hill Trophy winners as the Most Valuable Player in NCAA Division II football:
- 2014: Jason Vander Laan
- 2015: Jason Vander Laan
- 2018: Jayru Campbell
Rivalries
Davenport
The Calder City Classic is the name given to the Davenport–Ferris State football rivalry. The winner of the game receives the Calder City Classic trophy, with the series and trophy named for Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids. The first game played under the Calder City Classic name was the 2024 match-up.[3] Every third game in the series will be held at a neutral site in Grand Rapids.[4]
Grand Valley State
The Anchor–Bone Classic is the name given to the Ferris State–Grand Valley State football rivalry. The first Anchor–Bone Classic was played in 2003 while the overall series dates back to 1972. The winning team receives the Anchor–Bone Trophy. Heading into the 2025 game, Ferris State leads the overall series while Grand Valley State leads the trophy series 14–12.[5]
Top Taggart Field
| Location | 1215 Campus Drive Big Rapids, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6,200 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1957 |
Top Taggart Field is an American football stadium located in Big Rapids, Michigan with a seating capacity of 6,200. Located on the campus of Ferris State University, it is the home venue for the Ferris State Bulldogs football team. The stadium is named after W. C. "Top" Taggart, a former halfback for the Bulldogs and the program's first official head coach.[1] Top Taggart Field features the Wheeler Pavilion, a three-story facility located on the stadium's west side that features club rooms, media rooms, and a ticket office; construction began in 2001.[6]
On August 29, 2024, university president Bill Pink announced plans to construct new residence halls that will wrap around the stadium behind the north end zone. The residence halls are expected to open in August 2026.[7]
