BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – An 18-yard field goal with 1:04 left in the game is all #5 Ferris State needed in upsetting #1 Grand Valley State University in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The win also avenged the 22-21 loss to the Lakers earlier in the season when FSU was ranked #1. These two teams have met four times since 2015 in the NCAA playoffs and FSU holds a 3-1 record in those meetings.

“This was a huge, huge win for us,” said head coach Tony Annese. “We beat a great team. I’m not saying above average, I’m saying great. They had a great year and you can’t take that away from them as they won the GLIAC Championship and they went up to our place and beat us earlier this year. We were in two dog fights with them and in the last two years ours and there only losses have been to each other.”

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With 5:48 left in the game with a 21-21 tie, FSU’s defense forced a three-and-out to GVSU as they punted it to the Bulldog’s 34-yard line. FSU took over with just 4:16 to play and lots of field to go to try and win the game. After a three-yard pass to start the series, CJ Jefferson had a 25-yard rush to the GVSU 38-yard line. Mylik Mitchell then followed with a 28-yard rush to the GVSU 10-yard line for a first and goal and 2:37 to play. Two straight rushes put the ball on the two-yard line for third and goal. GVSU stopped the run for a one-yard gain making fourth-and-goal. FSU opted to try an 18-yard field goal and made it as Eddie Jewett cleared it easily for the three-point lead and just 1:04 to play, 24-21.

GVSU tried to make a move to tie the game but Cade Peterson’s pass was intercepted at the goal line with no time left from the FSU 34-yard line.

With the win, FSU moves to hosting the national semi-final game for the third year in a row. This is their eighth consecutive trip to the NCAA playoffs overall. They will face West Florida at 12:00 p.m. at Top Taggart Field. West Florida won the National Championship in 2019 before FSU took the Championship in 2021.