The Grand Valley State University football team hosted their biggest rival, Ferris State University, in a packed Lubbers Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. Despite the Lakers’ confidence going into the game, Ferris controlled all four quarters. GVSU fell to the Bulldogs 34-7, giving the Lakers their first loss of the season.
From the very beginning, many fans could feel the energy in the air– there was something off about this game. Students waited in line for hours just to get inside, the cheerleaders showed up late and even the players themselves had a delayed arrival.
This game being against Ferris only added to the chaotic atmosphere. If there was any question as to whether these schools truly despise each other, look no further than GVSU players gesturing that the Bulldogs stunk while running out of the tunnel. While funny in the moment, this overconfidence came to bite the Lakers later on.
Ferris got the opening kickoff and after a big hit by the Lakers’ special teams, head coach Scott Wooster was visibly fired up for his players.
The Bulldogs established their run game early, picking up several big gains on the ground. GVSU, while running back on their heels, held strong and forced Ferris to kick a field goal.
The Lakers were able to answer this with what seemed like a solid drive of their own, but it soon turned disastrous. After a false start and a fumbled snap, the Lakers’ offense was extremely backed up. Then, a sack made what looked like a promising drive turn into a long, missed field goal. Ferris was up 3-0 with a lot of energy.
Ferris took over at roughly the 40-yard line and continued to run the ball well. After several rushes, they were able to get across midfield before the Lakers forced them to punt.
Following this, GVSU was able to put themselves into a good field position again, however their streak of bad luck continued. After receiving a blow from Ferris, senior quarterback Avery Moore had to step out of the game due concussion protocol and the Lakers ended up turning the ball over on a fourth down.
The Lakers’ defense remained strong and forced a quick three-and-out to get their offense the ball back, but after a punt from Ferris State’s Mitchell Middleton, GVSU was pinned at the 10-yard line.
The Lakers just couldn’t seem to stop shooting themselves in the feet. They managed to get past midfield, but then fumbled the ball to the Bulldogs. This meant the Lakers’ defense was thrown back out on the field to stop a momentum-filled Ferris offense. Ferris State was held to another field goal. It was clear to everyone at this point: the GVSU defense was bailing out their struggling offense.
The Lakers got the ball back, but the offense continued to fail. On the first play of the drive, Moore was intercepted around the 40-yard line. This time, the defense was unable to hold off the Bulldogs’ offense. They allowed a 30-yard rushing touchdown to Ferris quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. The score now extended to a two-possession lead, with GVSU down 13-0 at the half.
Out of the half, the Lakers made a change in their quarterback to Eastern Michigan transfer, Ike Udengwu. This seemingly worked, as GVSU would go 75 yards and score on the opening drive of the half with the help of Cody Tierney. The senior wide receiver took a hand-off 45 yards to the end zone. The score was now 13-7 and the Lakers had a lifeline.
The crowd was alive again and rocking, until Ferris returned the kickoff 70 yards and scored just five plays later. Bulldogs’ quarterback, Chambliss, scored his second rushing touchdown of the game and put the lead back at 13 points ahead of the Lakers.
After this, things did not improve for GVSU. After a three-and-out by the Lakers, their punt was blocked by Ferris. This gave the Bulldogs extremely good field position and they were able to score on a quarterback draw. The Lakers were now down 27-7, their biggest deficit of the season.
The Lakers would not score again for the rest of the game, ultimately falling to Ferris. This was the largest loss in the regular season in the last 20 years for GVSU.
“Tip of the hat, they were better than us,” said Wooster. “Let’s get to work tomorrow and get rolling (on the rest of the season).”
Although this was a big loss, senior defensive back Ian Kennelly remained optimistic in his perspective of the game.
“You only lose if you don’t learn from the loss,” said Kennelly. “This (the learning opportunity) could be the best thing for this team.”
GVSU will look to bounce back next week against Wayne State University in their Nov. 2 homecoming game at Lubbers Stadium.
