Oct. 29, 2024

Ferris State football team jumps to No. 2 in national rankings, and two players earn GLIAC honors after decisive win over rival Grand Valley

The Ferris State University football team vaulted up to a consensus No. 2 ranking in the nation this week following an impressive 34-7 win over previously top-ranked rival Grand Valley State University, a performance that earned two Bulldogs Player of the Week honors.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss claimed the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor for the fourth week in a row and the fifth time this season while defensive back Jalen Jones received the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week nod for the first time in his collegiate career.

Chambliss, a junior from Grand Rapids, had another big performance in the Anchor-Bone Classic on Saturday before a sellout crowd at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. The Ferris State signal caller scored three touchdowns and accounted for more than half of the team’s total offensive yards.

Chambliss ran for a game-high 122 yards rushing on 22 carries, averaging 5.5 yards an attempt, and scored three times on the ground as Ferris State rolled up 249 yards rushing against one of the country's top defensive units. He also completed 11-of-19 throws for 114 yards in the passing game. Chambliss led Ferris State on six scoring drives in the game.

Jones, a junior from Mattawan, had a strong defensive performance in the triumph. He tallied six tackles and produced both a tackle for loss and an interception in a strong defensive effort.

Jones’ play helped the Bulldog defense limit GVSU to only 229 yards of total offense in the game, including only 155 yards rushing which was well below the Lakers' average. The Bulldog defense also came up with three turnovers and a sack in the victory.

The victory improved Ferris State’s record to 7-1 overall and the team took over sole possession of first place in the GLIAC standings with a 4-0 conference mark.

The decisive victory boosted the Bulldogs to the No. 2 spot in the American Football Coaches Association D2 Rankings. The Bulldogs earned 689 points and eight first place votes overall.

Ferris State is listed only behind new No. 1 team Valdosta State University from Georgia in the AFCA rankings as the Blazers garnered 712 points and 18 top mentions. The remainder of the top five included number three Ouachita Baptist University from Arkansas along with Kutztown University from Pennsylvania in fourth and Pittsburg State University from Kansas in the fifth slot.

The Bulldogs are also ranked second in the D2Football.com national poll, climbing up from fourth last week. FSU trails only top-ranked Pittsburg State in the D2Football rankings. Valdosta State was picked third with Kutztown fourth and Ouachita Baptist fifth in the listing.

In addition, Ferris State is listed among Super Region Three's top 10 squads in the initial NCAA D2 Regional Rankings announced Monday. This week's rankings were announced in alphabetical order. The top 10 will be listed by rank starting next week and the regional rankings help determine the NCAA D2 Playoff field at the end of the season.

Along with Ferris State, the other teams featured in the top 10 in Super Region Three include the University of Central Oklahoma, Emporia State University from Kansas, GVSU, Harding University from Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist, Pittsburg State, Saginaw Valley State University, Southern Arkansas University and University of Indianapolis.

The Bulldogs have currently made a nation-leading nine consecutive NCAA D2 Playoff appearances to date under head coach Tony Annese.

This week, the Bulldogs will visit Northern Michigan University on Saturday Nov. 2 for a 1 p.m. league matchup inside the Superior Dome in Marquette.