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2023 Ferris State vs Michigan Tech

Ferris State Football Takes Down Michigan Tech Football | Recap

Ferris State Football Takes Down Michigan Tech Football | Recap

Ferris State football, No. 9 in the NCAA Division 2 Football Rankings, beat MTU 35-21 in GLIAC play. Here's our recap of the game.

Oct 21, 2023 by Joe Harrington
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Carson Gulker had quite the day against Michigan Tech. 

You can say that again. 

And again. 

And again. 

You can say it five times. 

The mobile quarterback for No.9-ranked, back-to-back defending DII National Champions, Ferris State Football, made sure his team didn’t suffer back-to-back upset losses as he rushed for five touchdowns and 120 yards as the Bulldogs beat Michigan Tech 35-21. 

Ferris State, ranked No.9 a week ago in the NCAA Division II football rankings, dropped to No. 9 after a 49-28 loss to rival Grand Valley State. 

The Bulldogs got over it quickly with an opening-game touchdown drive under three minutes capped by the first Gulker touchdown. 

But things slowed down and after Ferris State went up 14-0, Michigan Tech kept answering the Bulldogs. Huskies quarterback Alex Fries finished 23-for-40 with 326 yards and a touchdown. 

A high-scoring third quarter led to a 28-21 game entering the final frame, but it was a long, methodical drive by Ferris State that put the game away. Gulker led a more than seven-minute-long 74-yard touchdown drive to put the Bulldogs up 35-21. 

After the defense finally got a second-half stop, Ferris State slowly iced the game with another drive. 

Check out the recap of our live blog below.

Ferris State Takes Down Michigan Tech 35-21

It's over in Houghton, Michigan. Ferris State (5-2, 3-1) has beaten Michigan Tech, who drops to 4-3 and 1-3 in conference play.  

Give'em 5! Carson Gulker Scores Again For Ferris State | FSU 35, Michigan Tech 21

Ferris State went up by two touchdowns as the high-scoring second half continues. 

The methodical Bulldogs drove down the field again on MTU as Carson Gulker scored his fifth touchdown of the day on the ground. The drive was 17 plays for 74 yards and 7:07 long. 

Gulker has five touchdowns on 21 carries and 92 yards.  

Can Michigan Tech Pull Off The Upset? They Trail Ferris State 28-21 After 3 Quarters

After three quarters, Ferris State's once two-touchdown lead is down to one as the two teams combined to score 21 points in the third quarter. It's 28-21. 

Offensive Explosion! Michigan Tech Won't Go Away. Alex Fries Throws Another TD; Ferris State 28, MTU 21

Alex Fries threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Champney to answer Ferris State's touchdown. That's now 21 points total scored in the third quarter. 

Bulldogs Answer Quickly With Another Carson Gulker Touchdown: Ferris State Football 28, Michigan Tech 14

After allowing MTU to score on the opening drive of the second half, Ferris State answered with a scoring drive of its own. 

And who else would be the scorer, other than Carson Gulker, who rushed for his fourth touchdown of the game from three yards out. 

Michigan Tech Football Opens Second Half With Touchdown: Ferris State 21, MTU 14

MTU quarterback Alex Fries capped off a touchdown drive with a 9-yard run to make it a one-score game against Ferris State. The drive was 11 plays and 75 yards in 5 minutes and 35 seconds. 

Second Half Is Underway As Michigan Tech Football Looks To Rally vs. Ferris State

Michigan Tech gets the ball to start the second half. Watch the game live here: 

Live Now · Oct 21, 2023, 5:00 PM UTC

2023 Ferris State vs Michigan Tech

At Halftime Of Ferris State Vs. Michigan Tech: Bulldogs Lead 21-7

Ferris State has a 21-7 lead at halftime. The Bulldogs have 200 total yards of offense, including 153 in the air. But it's Carson Gulker who has carried them to the endzone with three rushing touchdowns. He has 10 carries for 51 yards. 

Michigan Tech's quarterback has 139 yards passing on 9-of-16 throwing. Drew colling has one carry for 20 yards to lead MTU and the team's only touchdown. 

Ferris State WR Xavier Wade Takes Pass 53 Yards To Set Up Touchdown | Ferris State 21, MTU 7

The Bulldogs responded to the MTU touchdown with a big explosive play by Xavier Wade, who took a pass from Mylik Mitchell 53 yards to help set up a 4-yard Carson Gulker touchdown run. It's Gulker's third rushing touchdown of the game. 

Michigan Tech Uses 62-yard Pass To Set Up First Touchdown | Ferris State 14, MTU 7

Alex Fries hit Nic Nora for a 62-yard pass and on the next play, Drew Collins finishes off the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. The Huskies now trail 14-7 with 11:59 left in the first half. 

Ferris State Football Blocks Punt, Scores On Next Play Vs. MTU

Ferris State took a 14-0 lead after a key special teams play led by Sefa Saipai, who blocked a punt and gave the Bulldogs the ball deep in MTU territory. 

On the next play, Carson Gulker scored his second rushing touchdown of the day from 15 yards out.

First Quarter Highlights: Ferris State Football Makes Statement With Touchdown

Ferris State Football Leads MTU Football 7-0 After First Quarter

Ferris State scored quick and early before both teams' defenses settled in during a fast opening quarter. After a crips opening drive, Ferris State found a stronger MTU defense that has put pressure on the Ferris State passing game. 

The teams have combined for three punts since the opening score. 

Ferris State Football Takes Early 7-0 Lead On Quick Opening Drive

Ferris State didn't take long to score, finding the endzone with 12:24 left in the first quarter. Carson Gulker found the endzone. The 12-yard run capped a 78-yard scoring drive in less than three minutes. 

Ferris State Football vs. Michigan Tech Football Kicks off

Don't miss the action live as Ferris State will receive the opening kickoff!

Live Now · Oct 21, 2023, 5:00 PM UTC

2023 Ferris State vs Michigan Tech

Ferris State Football Roster and MTU Football Roster

Mylik MItchell leads the Bulldogs in passing with 931 yards passing and nine touchdowns. Carson Gulker leads the Bulldogs in rushing with 412 yards. 

Alex Fries leads the Huskies with 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns. William Marano leads the team in rushing yards with 448. 

What To Know About Ferris State University Football

Ferris State slid from No. 1 to No. 9 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll after losing to Grand Valley State last week in what probably should’ve been a much more lopsided result.

The Lakers jumped out to a 35-0 lead at home in just over a quarter of play in the 2023 Anchor-Bone Classic, but the Bulldogs managed to come alive with the game’s next 28 points. Unfortunately for Ferris State, that’s where the comeback ended, as the Bulldogs failed to score in the final quarter.

Ferris State’s quarterback tandem of senior Mylik Mitchell and sophomore Carson Gulker did pass for nearly 400 yards, but the team’s running game netted only 55 yards. 

Ferris State head coach Tony Annese was proud of his team for its resilience and the comeback, but the hole was just too deep. It didn’t help that the Bulldogs had 16 penalties for 129 yards in the loss.

Despite the two losses this year, Ferris State is leading the GLIAC with 496.3 total yards per game and 257.2 passing yards per game. The Bulldogs are second in points per game (41) behind Grand Valley State (49.5).

-Matt Cannizzaro

Ferris State Football Schedule 2023

  • Aug. 31: Ferris State 54, Mercyhurst 12
  • Sept. 9: Ferris State 38, Ashland 28 
  • Sept. 16: Montana 17, Ferris State 10
  • Sept. 30: Ferris State 78, Northern Michigan 3
  • Oct. 7: Ferris State 38, Saginaw Valley State 17
  • Oct. 14: Grand Valley State 49, Ferris State 28
  • Oct. 21: at Michigan Tech, 1 p.m.
  • Oct. 28: American International, 1 p.m.
  • Nov. 4: at Davenport, 12 p.m.
  • Nov. 11: Wayne State, 1 p.m.

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What To Know About Michigan Tech Football

Last week was rivalry week for Michigan Tech, as the Huskies faced Northern Michigan for the 21st edition of the Miner’s Cup, though their rivalry began in 1920 for the first of their 95 meetings.

The Huskies’ 62-0 win gave them the game’s traveling trophy for the 13th consecutive year, and it was their 50th win in the series. It also was a nice way to rebound from back-to-back losses this year.

Michigan Tech opened the 2023 season with three wins, before dropping its first two conference games. 

The Huskies are in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories as a team, but junior quarterback Alex Fries leads the GLIAC with 199.7 passing yards per game. He has completed 96-of-164 passes for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns, but he has nearly as many interceptions (seven). 

Defensively, junior linebacker Marc Sippel leads the Huskies with 58 total tackles, and his 9.7 tackles per game is among the best in the conference.

-Matt Cannizzaro

Michigan Tech Football Schedule 2023

  • Sept. 9: Michigan Tech 45, Hillsdale 20
  • Sept. 16: Michigan Tech 24, Wisconsin-Platteville 20
  • Sept. 23: Michigan Tech 34, Upper Iowa 31
  • Sept. 30: Davenport 28, Michigan Tech 0
  • Oct. 7: Wayne State 23, Michigan Tech 21
  • Oct. 14: Michigan Tech 62, Northern Michigan 0
  • Oct. 21: Ferris State, 1 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 28: at Grand Valley State, 3 p.m. ET
  • Nov. 4: Minot State, 1 p.m. ET
  • Nov. 11: Saginaw Valley State, 1 p.m. ET

GLIAC Football Schedule: GVSU Football, Davenport Football On The Road

GLIAC Football Standings

When Is The Ferris State Vs. Michigan Tech Football Game?

Ferris State will take on Michigan Tech at Kearly Stadium in Houghton, Michigan, on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. ET.

How To Watch Ferris State Vs. Michigan Tech Football

Football action is streaming live on FloFootball and the FloSports app, including the Ferris State and Michigan Tech football game during Week 8.

Replays and postgame highlights also will be available on both platforms. 

What Happened In Michigan Tech Vs. Ferris State Football in 2022?

Michigan Tech traveled to Big Rapids and push the Bulldogs before losing 28-20. 

Check out the replay

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What’s The Houghton, Michigan Weather Forecast?

Saturday will be the coldest day of the week in Houghton, Michigan, as the mercury will dip into the mid-40s during the day and into the 30s at night.

During the afternoon, there will be a 24 percent chance of rain and winds of 10-15 mph. Both will go down into the evening, but the game should be over, and one team would be celebrating by then. 

-Matt Cannizzaro

With Michigan Football Vs.  Michigan State, It's A Big Day For Football In The State

Michigan Football, the No.2-ranked team in the FBS, travels to East Lansing to face rival Michigan State. It's a big day for football in the state with Division II powers Grand Valley State facing Northern Michigan and Ferris State facing Michigan Tech. Saginaw Valley is also hosting Wayne State. 

NCAA Division 2 Football Rankings For Week 8

  1. Colorado School of Mines (28)    7-0    723    
  2. Pittsburg St. (Kan.)    7-0    691    
  3. Minnesota St.    7-0    655    
  4. Grand Valley St. (Mich.)    5-1    618    
  5. Delta St. (Miss.)    7-0    597    
  6. Harding (Ark.)    7-0    577    
  7. Slippery Rock (Pa.)    7-0    519    
  8. Benedict (S.C.)    7-0    497    
  9. Ferris St. (Mich.)    4-2    486    
  10. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)    7-0    451    
  11. Indianapolis (Ind.)    6-0    427    
  12. Western Colorado    7-0    396    
  13. Davenport (Mich.)    6-0    338    
  14. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)    6-1    
  15. Bemidji St. (Minn.)    5-1    325    
  16. Central Missouri    6-1    298    
  17. Augustana (S.D.)    7-0    222    
  18. West Florida    5-2    221    6    
  19. Angelo St. (Tex.)    4-2    182    
  20. Virginia St. (1)    7-0    173    24    
  21. Assumption (Mass.)    5-1    151    
  22. Shepherd (W.Va.)    6-1    131    
  23. Tiffin (Ohio)    7-0    97    
  24. Emporia St. (Kan.)    5-2    70    
  25. Truman St. (Mo.)    6-1    62    

Dropped Out: Henderson St. (Ark.) (18)

Others Receiving Votes: Virginia Union, 45; Valdosta St. (Ga.), 42; Texas-Permian Basin, 27; Charleston (W.Va.), 21; Minnesota-Duluth, 15; Henderson St. (Ark.), 13; Southern Arkansas, 12; Missouri Western St., 10; Central Washington, 4.

How Does The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoffs Work?

The 50th anniversary of the NCAA Division II Playoffs will feature 28 teams in a single-elimination tournament. 

How Division II decides which teams go to the postseason, however, is through a completely different process than the postseasons of the FCS and Division III. 

The Super Region system is unique to Division II, where no conference has an automatic bid to the playoffs, and the postseason places are decided by the top-ranked teams in each of the four Super Regions – groups of conferences (and potentially independents) in a similar geographic area. 

A top-10 Super Regional ranking of all the conference members in a particular Super Region is released each of the final three weeks of the regular season. At the end, the teams considered by the selection committee to make up the top 7 in each Super Region, qualify for their Super Region’s playoff bracket, where the No. 1 seed receives a first-round bye. 

For 2023, Super Region 1 mainly consists of Midwestern/eastern schools, Super Region 2 the southeast, Super Region 3 the Midwest, mid-south and Great Plains and Super Region 4 much of Division II’s northern and western membership, plus Texas. 

- Brian Napier

When Do The NCAA Division 2 Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the playoffs begin on Nov. 18. 

When Is The NCAA Division 2 Football National Championship Game?

The NCAA Division II Football National Championship Game is Dec. 16 at McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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Oct 21, 2023, 5:00 PM UTC

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