With 15 minutes of football to play in the regular season, Ferris was down 35-24. 15 minutes later, they celebrated their first perfect season since 1995.
In the 24 team Division II NCAA bracket, Ferris has a first round bye. They will play the winner of Colorado Mines and GLIAC rival Ohio Dominican, whom Ferris defeated 34-19 in Columbus, Ohio on Oct. 18. The game will be played at Top Taggart Field on November 29 in Big Rapids.
Yes, a second straight week and a second straight fourth quarter deficit erased. That deficit this week was an 11-point one.
54 seconds into the fourth quarter, Ferris quarterback Jason Vander Laan rushed in from four yards out to make it 35-30, and a two point conversion was completed to when Vander Laan connected with receiver Kenny Feyh to make it 35-32.
The Walsh University Cavaliers weren’t about to roll over and give Ferris their 11-0 record. Minutes later, Cavalier receiver Jerald Robinson scampered into the endzone from 27-yards out minutes later, putting Ferris State’s possible perfect season in doubt.
Jamaal Jackson caught a touchdown pass with 7:25 to play, and a defensive stop by the Bulldogs gave Ferris the chance they needed. When Walsh running back Aaron Male dropped a wide open chance for what may have been a game-sealing first down, Vander Laan and his troops saw their chance.
With 36 seconds remaining in the game down 42-39, Vander Laan plunged into the endzone from one-yard out, to give Ferris their 46-42 victory.
The Bulldogs last week entered the fourth quarter a week ago down 17-14 against Northern Michigan, giving Vander Laan his second consecutive fourth quarter comeback as well as his second consecutive second half comeback.
The Bulldogs are currently nationally ranked No. 4 in the nation and are first in their Super Region, giving the Bulldogs high odds at a first round playoff-bye, as well as a home playoff game.