November 30th, 2024 12:00pm
Big Rapids, Mich. - The nation's top-ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II Super Region Three Championship game with a dominating 78-17 win over visiting Central Oklahoma on Saturday (Nov. 30) in the second round of the D2 Playoffs at FSU's Top Taggart Field.
The Bulldogs generated 688 yards of total offense and ran for 485 yards on the ground despite snowy weather in the decisive win, ending the Bronchos' title hopes in the playoff game.
Ferris State, which is the top seed in Super Region Three, will now host defending national champion Harding (Ark.) in the regional final next Saturday, Dec. 7, in Big Rapids.
"We were able to do some really good things out there today," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "We had a resounding win, as resounding a win in the playoffs as I've ever had."
"Central Oklahoma won the MIAA," he added. "We know that they finished ahead of Pitt State, beat a good Central Missouri team. Emporia State is a really good. The list goes on of the good teams they've beat."
The Bulldogs opened the game strong offensively, scoring on their first offensive possession following a missed UCO field goal as FSU drove 80 yards in 14 plays. Junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss capped the drive with a one-yard TD run to give Ferris State the early edge.
However, Central Oklahoma responded by moving 65 yards in four plays to tie the game back up on Jaylen Cottrell's 46-yard reception from quarterback Jett Huff with 6:02 to play in the first stanza.
The Broncos took their only lead of the game to start the second quarter when Nicky Quevedo finished off a 10-play, 63-yard jaunt with a 27-yard field goal, making it a 10-7 game.
From there, however, the Bulldogs took control. Junior tailback Kannon Katzer ran for three scores in the second quarter and Chambliss added another TD run along with a passing score as FSU surged in front and took a commanding 41-17 halftime lead.
Katzer's first score came on a 38-yard TD run to finish a seven-play, 87-yard scoring drive for the Bulldogs with 8:28 to play in the second. Then, following a Central Oklahoma turnover, the Bulldogs needed only three plays to move 22 yards on a short field with Chambliss reaching paydirt on a five-yard keeper.
Each of the next two Bulldog scores came from Katzer, who gashed the UCO defense in the second period. He scored on a 36-yard run to finish a three-play, 52-yard drive with 3:52 to go before half and then finished another short two-play, 43-yard march with a 38-yard touchdown run.
"Coming out, we have to set the tone and we did," said Chambliss. "We knew they were a pretty good defense with some playmakers out there. Credit to our offensive line. They've been getting it done for us. Without them we're nothing. Credit to Kannon Katzer, who had a great game, and others for doing some great things along with our defensive unit for the way they played."
Central Oklahoma cut the margin to 34-17 on Terrill Davis' 52-yard touchdown run on a reverse with 2:08 left in the half, but Ferris State answered quickly and needed only 1:18 to move 66 yards in six plays. Chambliss found sophomore slot receiver Taariik Brett on a 15-yard touchdown throw with 42 seconds to play before halftime.