The Anchor Bone rivalry game is one of the most anticipated games in all of Division II. Throughout the last decade, both Grand Valley State and Ferris State have been elite and decorated programs.
Usually, a lot is on the line when these two teams match up. This year is no different.
Ferris State (6-1, 2-0 in the GLIAC) is coming into the game ranked No.3 in the nation, while The Lakers (7-0, 2-0 in the GLIAC) are ranked as the No.1 team nationally.
Both teams pose elite offenses, the Bulldogs coming into the game with the nation’s No.2 offense when looking at yards per game with 518.4 and the No. 3 scoring offense, scoring 45.6 points per game.
Grand Valley State holds the No. 14 offense with 433 yards per game and the No. 35 scoring offense with 31.7 points per game.
While Ferris’ offense is more balanced between the run and the pass, the Lakers are a run-first team, they are fourth in the nation looking at rushing yards per game.
Not only do these teams have elite offenses, but their defenses are also top-of-the-line in Division II.
Both teams are top 10 when it comes to scoring defenses. Ferris is fifth, and Grand Valley is eighth.
Ferris State head coach Tony Annese knows the importance of this game.
“It is always exciting for everybody involved,” Annese said. “It’s one of those things where it has been us and them, a lot of us and some of them. We are looking forward to going there and it is always a great game.”
The Ferris offense will be led by junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who has put up a career year so far completing 63.9% of his passes for 1673 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions on the season.
The dynamic Chambliss is also the team’s leading rusher on the season with 370 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs spread the ball out to many receivers, six receivers have over 10 receptions on the season. The team’s leading receiver is senior slot receiver Emari O’Brien. He has put up 402 yards on four touchdowns.
The defense is strong-headed by a great group, sophomore safety Michael Edwards and junior defensive back Justin Payoute lead the Bulldogs in tackles with 31.
Grand Valley is led by their strong rushing attack on offense, as they have three players with over 300 yards on the season. The main running back in that offense is sophomore Khalil Eichelberger. He has totaled 564 yards and six touchdowns in his 2024 campaign.
The defense is led by senior defensive back Ian Kennelly, putting up 41 tackles and three interceptions so far this season.
In the last ten meetings between the two teams, Ferris holds a record of 7-3. However, the Lakers have won the past two meetings versus the Bulldogs, the last meeting being a 21-14 Grand Valley win in the 2023 DII playoffs.
Gametime is set for 3 p.m. in Allendale on Saturday, Oct. 26.