Ferris State vs. GVSU Top 5 Moments
Over the years, the Ferris State and Grand Valley matchup on the gridiron has given us some amazing moments and the development of a fun, action-packed GLIAC rivalry. The Bulldogs and Lakers almost always sit atop the rankings in Division II and have a handful of national crowns between the two. They have always made their meetings a battle for conference titles, playoff runs and of course, the Anchor-Bone trophy.
Before the two meet in 2023, let's take a look back on some of the top moments (from our perspective) of the rivalry.
5. 1999 Regular Season - November 13
Ferris State 48
Grand Valley 23
In the final game of the 1999 regular season, the Bulldogs took one from Grand Valley at home to close out the year, winning 48-23. A huge victory for Ferris and one that stuck in the minds of all Bulldogs, as it was last win over GVSU until 2012.
4. 2021 Playoffs - November 27
Ferris State 54
Grand Valley 20
In the second round of the 2021 playoffs, the Lakers and Bulldogs met again, this time at Top Taggart Field. The Bulldogs had taken one from GVSU at Lubbers Stadium earlier in the season for the Anchor-Bone Classic. But this matchup is referred to as "The Snow Bowl" because of the flurries that overtook the field during the game. It was a pivotal moment for the Dawgs because this advanced them to the quarterfinals and they went on to win the first national title in program history.
3. 2016 Playoffs - December 3
Ferris State 47
Grand Valley 32
One of the biggest wins for the program came from the 2016 playoff games at Lubbers Stadium against Grand Valley. The Bulldogs notched their first road playoff win ever and advanced to the NCAA Semifinals for only the second time in school history. At the time, with the victory, Ferris State tied a school-record by claiming its 12th win of the year and avenged a regular season loss from the Lakers.
2. 2012 Regular Season - October 6
Ferris State 40
Grand Valley 24
This is how you start your legacy as head coach! Coach Tony Annese started at Ferris in 2012 and in his first season, the Dawgs picked up their first win against GVSU since 1999. And they broke the decade-long streak in true Bulldog fashion, never quitting and coming back from 17 point deficit. The Lakers were ranked third in the country at the time, but Ferris State put on a show with three players who rushed for more than 100 yards to come out with the win.
1. 2018 Regular Season - October 13
Ferris State 35
Grand Valley 31
The greatest matchup between the two GLIAC rivals came in the 2018 regular season. This was a battle of top-ranked #2 Grand Valley and #3 Ferris State. A big fourth down call with just over three minutes left in the game lifted the Bulldogs to a thrilling 35-31 road victory. In a performance you had to see to believe, junior QB Jayru Campbell went on to pass, rush AND receive touchdowns in the win. The play that changed it all late in the fourth was a 31-yard touchdown throw from slot receiver Jevon Shaw on a throwback to Campbell that put the Dawgs in front for the final time in the back-and-fourth contest. Campbell went on to win the Harlon Hill in 2018 and help lead Ferris State to their first-ever national title appearance.
2023 Anchor-Bone Classic
October 14 at 3 p.m.
This season's matchup is set to be another top-moment-worthy one. The sold-out game is October 14, where the Bulldogs and Lakers face off in the Anchor-Bone Classic at Lubbers Stadium.
