The Ferris State football team advanced to their fourth national championship appearance in the last six seasons with a comeback win.
The No. 2 seeded Bulldogs erased a 38-27 halftime deficit to No. 3 ranked Slippery Rock with a 48-38 victory in the DII national semi-finals, securing a trip to McKinney, Texas with a chance at the national title.
The Ferris defense struggled in the first half, as the Bulldogs allowed 38 points; more than they have allowed in a game the entire season.
Slippery Rock leaned heavily on the air attack, as Ferris allowed 238 yards and three passing touchdowns in the half.
The Bulldogs averaged 8.1 yards per play on the offensive end, but the setbacks piled up on the defense.
Following a Ferris punt on its opening drive, chaos quickly ensued.
Slippery Rock connected on a 60-yard touchdown to take a quick 7-0 lead, but the very next offensive play for the Rock was picked off and taken to the endzone by Bulldog senior Justin Payoute to tie the game 7-7.
The interception was one of four for Ferris on the day. Payoute knew his defense could make plays when needed.
“We started out kind of flat, so me being a leader I had to give us a little kickstart with that pick six,” Payoute said. “We buckled down and played Ferris State defense in that second half.”
The next two drives for Slippery Rock resulted in touchdowns after a Ferris punt and fumble. The Rock took a 21-7 lead going into the second quarter.
The second quarter was better for the Bulldogs; however, they still could not overcome big plays by the Rock. A costly interception with just 18 seconds left in the half by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss allowed Slippery Rock to knock in a field goal and take a 38-27 lead into the break.
Chambliss never had a doubt in his team’s ability to win the game after being down at half for just the third time all season.
“I have full trust in my defense,” Chambliss said. “I am also really confident every time we go out on offense we are going to score. The guys around me are just playmakers, I have to trust myself and trust them.”
Harlon Hill finalist Chambliss completed 73% of his passes (19-26) which was good for 221 yards and one touchdown. He also added 136 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the statement win.
The second half was all Bulldogs, as they outscored the Rock 21-0 and earned points on every possession besides the final when they kneed the ball out.
A personal foul on a field goal attempt set Slippery Rock up deep in Ferris territory on the opening drive as the Rock threatened to increase their lead. That was until junior Gyasi Mattison picked off Slippery Rock in the endzone to regain Bulldog possession.
Ferris was able to score off the turnover trimming the deficit to four. Another Bulldog takeaway on the next drive set up a 69-yard lead-taking run from junior running back Kannon Katzer.
Katzer led Ferris in rushing with 165 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.
Ferris remained in control for the rest of the game and ultimately defended their home field and sealed a trip to McKinney.
The Bulldogs will face off against No. 1 Valdosta State, who Ferris has played twice in the national championship in the last six years. The Bulldogs are 1-1 against the Blazers in championship games, the last matchup resulting in a 58-17 win during the 2021 championship game.
The championship will be played on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. in McKinney, Texas as the Bulldogs look to claim their third championship in four seasons.