The Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker to Northern Michigan on Saturday to end a five-game winning streak heading into this weekend’s matchup against undefeated Grand Valley.
Ferris is 5-2 overall and 5-1 in GLIAC play following its first conference loss of the season. The Bulldogs are tied for second in the conference with Hillsdale, behind only 7-0 Grand Valley State.
In a closely-contested matchup, Ferris held a 20-19 lead halfway through the third quarter after a 33-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Tom Schneider to junior wide receiver Mike Ryan.
The lead disappeared in the final five minutes of the game when the Wildcats took advantage of a 20-yard punt return that was followed by a Bulldog personal foul. Northern Michigan started the drive on the Ferris 21 and produced seven yards in three plays before Rockne Belmonte booted a 31-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 22-20 lead.
The Bulldogs got the ball back, but a turnover on downs gave the Wildcats the ball and let them run out the clock for the victory.
Ferris will face off against Grand Valley State on Oct. 23 in the Anchor-Bone Classic at Top Taggart Field at 2 p.m. The winner will claim possession of first place in the GLIAC North Division. The Lakers enter the game as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll.