The Bulldogs (3-0, 0-0 in GLIAC) take on the Redstorm (0-2, 0-0 in MSC) in what will be Rio Grande’s third game of their first season in the 21st century.
Ferris took down the Tiffin Dragons after a hard-fought offensive shootout on Saturday, Sept. 14, at home by a score of 41-34. The Bulldogs were led once again by redshirt freshman quarterback Wyatt Bower, who went 15-23 passing, with 232 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 146 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
On defense, the Bulldogs did struggle against the pass, allowing Dragon’s quarterback Alex Johnson to throw for 340 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing an interception.
The defense still stood tall and stifled Tiffin, and they were led by senior defensive lineman Tyrone Fowler, who had nine total tackles, two tackles for loss, one and a half sacks, and two quarterback hits on the day.
Fowler spoke about his and his team’s performance against Tiffin.
“First and foremost, I just want to say I am proud of how the defense played,” Fowler said. “Just to pull out a strong win, Tiffin was gashing us for a little bit, but for the most part, my teammates and I played strong, and we did not fold. I am just very proud and excited for what the future has in store for us.”
The Rio Grande Redstorm might not be where you think they would be from; they hail from southeastern Ohio and not from the southwestern United States. The Redstorm is a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and is a separate entity from the NCAA.
The 2025 season is Rio Grande’s first season since resuming the program, as in 1949, the college ended football due to financial restrictions, and in 1950, the football equipment was sold, and the money was used to purchase new basketball uniforms.
Even though the Redstorm is returning to college football, this game is no different from any other game, and senior slot receiver Brady Rose knows that.
“We have to go in and compete just like every game,” Rose said. “We have to sharpen our game and fix our mistakes from last week. This week is no different from any other week; we just have to focus on our game and play to the best of our abilities.”
In the two games thus far in the Redstorms season, they have only scored six points and totaled 180 yards of total offense between those two games. Rio Grande has a total of three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball this season, two of those coming from freshman defensive back Andy Meldick.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Redstorm is led by freshman quarterback Ayden Ludolph, who on the season is 8-29 (29.6% completion) with 107 yards, zero touchdowns to two interceptions.
Junior slot receiver Taariik Brett believes this offense is firing on all cylinders and will only get better as the season goes on.
“The offense is playing really well,” Brett said. “Us as an offense right now are getting very comfortable and confident in our system. We are growing and getting better by the week. Wyatt Bower is growing, getting better, and getting more comfortable each and every week, and as we all can see, Wyatt is a baller.”
The Bulldogs face off against the Rio Grande Redstorm on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 3 p.m. at Top Taggart Field for Ferris’ homecoming game.