Vander Laan becomes all-time offensive leader in GLIAC
Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan has set yet another record. Vander Laan came into the Dawgs’ game last Saturday, Oct. 10 against Tiffin 46 yards short of becoming the all-time leader in yards in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The quarterback would break the record on Ferris State’s first drive of the game. The Harlon Hill winner put up good numbers even though he was pulled late in the third quarter. Vander Laan completed 14 of 16 passes against Tiffin for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 151 yards and two more touchdowns. He even had a reception for 16 yards on FSU’s first play from scrimmage on a double pass.
The Bulldogs will play Ohio Dominican on Saturday, Oct. 17 at noon in Big Rapids.
Cross Country runs through busy weekend
The FSU men’s and women’s cross country teams got plenty of work in last weekend. Last Saturday, both teams participated in two different meets, sending different groups of runners to each location. One group of runners went to Romeoville, Ill. for the Lewis Crossover event, while the other groups headed to Midland, for the Northwood Invitational. In Illinois, the women placed fifth out of 11 teams. Leading the pack for Ferris was Emily Haynes with a time of 22:45.65 which was good enough for twentieth place. The men placed sixth out of 10 teams and were led by Logan Hammer who placed tenth overall with a time of 25:19.18.
The Northwood Invite was a non-scoring event, but Emily Pedzinski was first for the Lady Bulldogs, clocking in at 25:53.72. Max Hodges was first for the FSU men with a time of 27:18.09.
Home field advantage in Big Rapids
Football, volleyball and soccer took advantage of home games. The FSU football, volleyball, and soccer teams are a combined 17-0 at home this season. The football team is 2-0 with their wins coming against Northwood and Saginaw Valley State earlier in the season. The Dawgs outscored their opponents 75-21 in those two games. They will look to become 3-0 at home this Saturday, Oct. 17 against Ohio Dominican. Ferris volleyball is 9-0 on their home court so far this year. The team has won all but two sets in Big Rapids, dropping one each to Grand Valley State and Missouri Western State. The next home game for the volleyball team will come on Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.
In one of their best seasons of all time, FSU soccer is 6-0 on their home field. In those six games, the Lady Bulldogs have only allowed two goals and have scored 14 on their opponents. The soccer team will try to defend their undefeated record at home this weekend when they play Northern Michigan on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and Michigan Tech on Sunday, Oct. 18 at noon.
Men’s golf wins NCAA Midwest Regional Championship
The Bulldogs of the men’s golf team trekked all the way to Chicago, Ill. to participate in the 2015 NCAA Midwest Fall Regional, but the trip proved to be well worth the miles when Ferris brought home a first place finish. Featuring 158 golfers from 32 schools and spanning from Sept. 28-29, the annual tournament was held at Harborside International Golf Course. Ferris finished with a team score of 284 in round one, followed by a 313 team score the following day, which was just enough to beat out runner-up Northern Michigan who finished two strokes behind. Sophomore Jack Weller led the Bulldogs, shooting a team-best 66 which was good for six under par in the first round, followed by an 81 on the next day for a total of 147.
The Dawgs will be teeing off again on Oct. 12-13 at the NCAA Midwest Regional #2 Tourney in Eureka, Mo.