By: Mollie Hamelund and Brendan Samuels
Five minutes were left in the fourth quarter of Ferris football’s annual rivalry game with Grand Valley State University (GVSU) when Ferris head coach Tony Annese reached into his bag of tricks.
Ferris junior quarterback Jayru Campbell tossed the ball to Ferris junior receiver Jevon Shaw on an apparent run. Shaw didn’t run, though. He quickly looked to his left where Campbell stood ready to deliver a fatal blow. Shaw cocked his arm back, found Campbell and delivered
a 31-yard dagger in what would be the difference in the Bulldogs’ 35-31 victory.
Although fans may have been excited to see the rivalry pan out in favor of the Bulldogs, Annese wasn’t impressed.
“It’s one win,” Annese said. “You’re not going to get me too excited about this win for sure.”
The Bulldogs had a slow start to the rivalry game Saturday, Oct. 13, as they allowed the Lakers to jump out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Bulldogs attempted to strike back quickly but were left scoreless in the first.
The second quarter saw Ferris’ offense come alive. Campbell was determined to chip away at the lead, connecting with Ferris senior receiver Keyondre Craig on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs weren’t happy trailing by three, so Campbell rushed the ball into the end zone on the next drive to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game. GVSU found the end zone one final time in the second quarter to give them a 17-14 lead heading into halftime. The Lakers scored first in the second half, but the Bulldogs came back quickly with an 80-yard touchdown pass to Ferris redshirt freshman receiver Sy Barnett to cut the Lakers’ lead to just three points.
GVSU looked like they were on a roll, quickly rushing down the field on their next possession. The Bulldogs’ defense put an end to it with a pick-six for Ferris junior linebacker Delon Stephenson, bringing the Bulldogs in with a 28-24 lead going into the fourth quarter.
“For the most part, it’s risk-reward when you pass,” Annese said. “[GVSU quarterback Bart Williams] made a lot of plays. The receivers made a ton of plays, but you also have opportunities for a picksix and some interceptions, so that was key.”
With the Lakers driving down the field looking to overcome the 35-31 deficit, Stephenson delivered a fatal blow with his second interception of the game, clinching the victory for the Dawgs.
The huge victory over the nation’s No. 2 ranked team gives the Bulldogs a 7-0 record on the year. Ferris will be back in action when they take on the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Cardinals’ Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium.
