Bulldogs roll Lakers in Anchor-Bone Classic

ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Ferris State Bulldogs got revenge for their two losses last season, rolling over rival Grand Valley State 34-7 in Saturday’s edition of the Anchor-Bone Classic.

Dual threat quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led the way for the Bulldogs, racking up 122 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He went 11 for 19 through the air with 114 passing yards.

The Lakers defense held Ferris State to two field goals over the first four drives, but after two GVSU turnovers Chambliss finally reached the end zone, scoring with 48 seconds left in the second quarter to take a 13-0 lead.

GVSU struck back on their first drive of the second half. Cody Tierney broke a run to the left for a 45-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 13-7, but Ferris responded immediately. Taariik Brett returned the kickoff 71 yards to start the drive at the Laker 24-yard-line. Three plays later, Chambliss was in the end zone to stretch the lead back to 13.

A blocked punt set the Bulldogs up again with prime field position again. Chambliss finished off the five-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give FSU a 27-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, Ferris State killed some clock and tacked on another touchdown. The 14-play drive ended with a 3-yard plunge by Zak Ahern.

In all, Ferris State held the Lakers to 229 yards of total offense and three turnovers. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, finished the game without any turnovers.

Talking to reporters after the game, FSU head coach Tony Annese called it a “great team win.”

“I thought all sides of the ball contributed. You can go to the defense. We had a few interceptions, a fumble recovery. You can go to the offense and basically churning the clock and running the ball effectively against a good defense, a run-stopping team,” Annese said. “Then with special teams, Grand Valley scores its only touchdown and then Taariik (Brett) takes it back almost to the house. (Jeremiah) Housey blocks a punt. We had huge plays.”

The Bulldogs and the Lakers have gone back and forth the last several seasons, fighting for control of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. GVSU beat Ferris State 49-28 in the regular season and eked past the Bulldogs 21-14 in the NCAA Division II playoffs last year.

Now 4-0 in the GLIAC, Ferris State (7-1, 4-0) will head to Marquette next weekend to take on Northern Michigan. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Grand Valley State (7-1, 3-1 GLIAC) will play their final home game of the season next Saturday, hosting Wayne State at Lubbers Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.