December 7th, 2024 1:10pm
From Ferris State sports information
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University Bulldogs claimed their sixth Super Region Three Championship in the last eight seasons with a dominating 41-7 triumph over defending national champion Harding (Ark.) in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals on Saturday (Dec. 7) afternoon at FSU's Top Taggart Field.
The Bulldogs built a 20-0 halftime lead and limited the nation's top scoring offense to only seven points in the victory while improving to 12-1 overall this year.
FSU will advance to the D2 National Semifinals next Saturday (Dec. 14) with the official matchups and locations to be announced later this evening by the NCAA.
Ferris State earned an impressive win with dominating performances on both sides of the ball as FSU generated 452 yards of total offense, including 287 yards rushing versus the nation's top-ranked defense. On the opposite side, the defense forced a pair of turnovers and held Harding's vaunted ground attack to only 130 yards on 45 carries along with 193 total yards.
The Bulldogs got on the board on their first offensive possession after an early defensive stop, moving 55 yards in only six plays before junior Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Trinidad Chambliss reached the endzone on an eight-yard carry less than five minutes into the game.
Later in the first, with only 16 seconds left, Chambliss hooked up with wideout James Gilbert on a seven-yard TD throw to cap a 13-play, 64-yard scoring drive, making it 13-0 after one.
The Bulldogs added a key score late in the first half with only 15 seconds to go as tailback Kannon Katzer finished a short five-play, 26-yard march with a one-yard TD run, giving FSU a 20-0 lead at halftime.
Ferris State then took the opening possession of the second half and drove 75 yards in 12 plays to make it a 27-0 game on Chambliss' four-yard TD run.
The lead grew to 34-0 with 51 seconds left in the frame when Chambliss hooked up with Gilbert again on a 12-yard touchdown throw to finish off a 69-yard drive in 11 plays.
Finally, the Bulldogs needed only two plays to cover 79 yards for another score with 11:48 to go as Katzer found paydirt again from seven-yards out one play after a 72-yard run from slot receiver Taariik Brett.
The Bisons got their only score of the day with only 6:20 remaining when quarterback Cole Keylon rambled in from 11-yards out to finish the longest Harding drive of the day, which covered 80 yards.
For Ferris State, Chambliss completed 18-of-27 passes for 145 yards and two scores. He also added 86 yards rushing on 17 carries. Brett had 89 yards on the ground and Katzer ran for 76 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, slot receiver Brady Rose led FSU in the receiving game with seven catches for 45 yards.
The Bulldog defense was paced by Gyasi Mattison with nine total stops to go with an interception. Alston Ware had eight tackles and Sefa Saipaia finished with seven stops.
The Bulldogs finished the game eight-of-13 on third down and three-of-four on fourth down while capitalizing on all six scoring opportunities in the red zone.