GLIAC Football

Ferris State Completes Back-To-Back Championships With Win Over Harding

Ferris State Completes Back-To-Back Championships With Win Over Harding

The Ferris State Bulldogs complete back-to-back titles after defeating Harding in the title game! Here is a recap of all the action!

Dec 21, 2025 by Madelyn Mendoza
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After months of preparing, pre-season, conference and post season games, Divison II sees a new champion in college football. This champion had been crowned just a year prior but will earn a back-to-back title as the dust settles on Dec. 20. 

The Ferris State Bulldogs secured back-to-back titles after defeating the Harding Bisons, 42-21. 

The game in McKinney was a close one most of the way through, but Ferris State was able to build a lead and extend upon it for the duration of the contest. 

The Bulldogs tallied a total of 585 yards in the four quarters of play. Starting quarterback Wyatt Bower was 10-for-16 on pass completion for 177 yards and two touchdown passes. Bower also had 38 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the game. 

The Harding Bisons did not go away without a fight, capitalizing and scoring multiple times after the Bulldogs had found the end zone just snaps earlier. 

The Bisons tallied 486 total yards of offense on the day. Starting quarterback Cole Keylon was 3-for-5 on pass completion with 80 yards and one touchdown toss. Andrew Miller was the leader rusher for Harding with 70 yards and one touchdown! 

The Bulldogs secure a perfect 16-0 season while the Bisons take their first loss moving the season record to 15-1. 

This is the fourth title in five years for the Ferris State Bulldogs who will once again be the defending national champions for the second year in a row. 

Relive all of the in-game action down below in this article! 

End 4Q - 0:00 | Ferris State Goes Back To Back

Ferris State 42, Harding 21

As the time expires in McKinney, Texas, the Ferris State Bulldogs have concluded their quest. 

After a back and forth battle, Ferris State has claimed back to back national titles. 

Ferris State Recovers The Fumble! 4Q - 4:47

Ferris State 42, Harding 21

With just four minutes remaining in the final quarter of action, the Ferris State Bulldogs have recovered a late fumble as Harding was charging down the field!

Start 4Q - 15:00

Ferris State 42, Harding 21

The final 15 minutes are upon us. Ferris State still holds on to a lead but comeback have happened before! 

End 3Q - 0:00

Ferris State 42, Harding 21

Just as quickly as it started, the third quarter has come and gone. The final quarter is quickly approaching and just 15 minutes remain until we crown a new champion!  

A Quiet Rest Of The Quarter! 3Q - 2:00

Ferris State 42, Harding 21 

The rest of the third quarter has been relatively quiet in the final minutes!  

Ferris Is On A Roll! 3Q - 6:14

Ferris State 42, Harding 21

The Bulldogs are on a roll and are keeping their foot on the gas late in this contest. 

Wyatt Bower completes the pass to Carson Gulker to find the end zone! 

Bulldogs Responds! 3Q - 13:13

Ferris State 35, Harding 21

The Bulldogs responds in a timely fashion as Wyatt Bower takes it home on the short rush! 

Harding Responds! 3Q - 14:09

Ferris State 28, Harding 21

Just seconds after the Bulldogs find the end zone, the Bisons respond in a crazy way. 

G’Kyson Wright returned the kick off 90-yards for the score! 

Bulldogs Extend The Lead! 3Q - 14:21

Ferris State 28, Harding 14

The Bulldogs are back on a roll as they tack another seven to their stat sheet. 

Chase Carter with the 64-yard rush finds the end zone! 

Start 3Q - 15:00

Ferris State 21, Harding 14

The start of the third quarter is here! 30 minutes left to go!

End 2Q - 0:00

Ferris State 21, Harding 14 

Halftime is here in McKinney! The teams have battled for 30 minutes but a half still remains. It's a one-score game! 

Bisons Cut The Lead! 2Q - 0:46

Ferris State 21, Harding 14

With just seconds left until the half, the Harding Bisons have cut the Ferris State lead back to one-score. 

Cole Keylon completes the short pass to Christian Franklin for the score! 

Bulldogs Snap Offensive Drought! 2Q - 2:08

Ferris State 21, Harding 7

As the clock continues to wind down on the opening half, the Ferris State Bulldogs have snapped their offensive drought. 

Wyatt Bower completes the deep pass to Cam Underwood for the score! 

Ferris State Turns It Over On Downs! 2Q - 8:00

Ferris State 14, Harding 7

After the score early in the quarter, it's been a relatively quite offensive quarter as Ferris State turns the ball over on downs. 

Harding On The Board! 2Q - 14:21

Ferris State 14, Harding 7 

Just after the start of the second quarter, harding is on the board! 

Andrew Miller with the nine-yard rush finds the end zone. The PAT is good! 

Start 2Q - 15:00

Ferris State 14, Harding 0 

The second quarter is underway! Ferris State still leads but it is still anyone's game! 

End 1Q - 0:00

Ferris State 14, Harding 0 

The end of the first quarter sees Ferris State up two scores early. There is still plenty of football left to go! 

Bulldogs Double Up! 1Q- 4:42

Ferris State 14, Harding 0 

The Bulldogs double up late in the fourth quarter. Another four-yard rush puts Ferris State up two scores! 

Ferris State Strikes First! 1Q- 6:39

Ferris State 7, Harding 0 

The Bulldogs strike first in this D2 national championship game! 

Wyatt Bower rushes up the middle for a four-yard score! The PAT is good! 

Harding Goes 4 & Out! 1Q - 10:47

Ferris State 0, Harding 0 

The opening drive of the game has come and gone. The Bison go four and out. The Bulldogs are taking the field now!  

Kickoff! 1Q - 15:00

Ferris State 0, Harding 0 

The national championship game is finally here! 

Ferris State won the toss and elected to defer. Harding will receive first!  

10 Minutes Until Kickoff | A Stat Comparison

Just 10 minutes until kickoff in this D2 national championship! Here is a look at how the stats line up for the teams so far on the 2025 season. 

Please note that all stats are based on a per game basis for the 2025 season. 

Ferris State: 

  • Points Per Game: 53.5
  • Total Offense Per Game: 515.5 yards
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 204.9 yards
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 310.5 yards
  • Third Down Conversion Percentage: 57%
  • Fourth Down Conversion Percentage: 77%
  • Total Yards Allowed Per Game: 298.3 yards
  • Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 182.7 yards
  • Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 115.6 yards
  • Time of Possession:  29:18

Harding: 

  • Points Per Game: 45
  • Total Offense Per Game: 482 yards
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 35.53 yards
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 446.5
  • Third Down Conversion Percentage: 57.97 %
  • Fourth Down Conversion Percentage: 86.67 %
  • Total Yards Allowed Per Game: 113.2 yards
  • Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 149 yards
  • Rushing Yards Allowed per Game: 113.2
  • Time of Possession:  32:50

15 Minutes Til Kickoff

Just 15 minutes until kickoff in McKinney. Here's a look at the championship field! 

A Bison Semi-Final Recap

Here's a look back at how Harding got to the national championship 

The Teams Have Arrived!

The Bulldogs and the Bison have arrived! Here is a look!  

Ferris State Football Roster

  • 0, Jerek Fields, LB
  • 0, Jeremiah Lee, WR
  • 1, Gyasi Mattison, DB
  • 1, Deion Small, SL
  • 2, Wyatt Bower, QB
  • 2, Daviere Jones, DB
  • 3, Chase Carter, QB
  • 3, Eric Jackson, DB
  • 4, Tae Boyd, WR
  • 4, Justin Payoute, DB
  • 5, Key'Vell Cooper, RB
  • 5, Jeremiah Housey, DB
  • 6, Tarick Bower, WR
  • 6, Liko Johnson, LB
  • 7, Zak Ahern, RB
  • 7, Isaiah Byars, LB
  • 8, Payton Hughes, LB
  • 8, Jaylin Townsend, WR
  • 9, Alex Springs, DB
  • 9, Cam Underwood, WR
  • 10, Taariik Brett, SL
  • 10, Ralph Carter, DL
  • 11, Tyrone Fowler, DL
  • 11, Darian Kruja, WR
  • 12, Carson Gulker, QB
  • 12, Chris Lands, DB
  • 13, D'Mari Jenkins, DB
  • 13, Tyren Mason, WR
  • 14, Sincer Boyd, RB
  • 14, Stanley Lambert, DL
  • 14, Timothy Ormond II, WR
  • 16, Leeshaun Mumpfield, QB
  • 16, Tre' Rigby, DB
  • 17, Dakari Neely, WR
  • 17, Quentin Pope, DB
  • 18, Kyle Cottee, QB
  • 18, Mervens Jean Pierre, DB
  • 19, Adonis Ferguson, DB
  • 19, Charlie Spencer, QB
  • 20, Jaden Edington, RB
  • 20, Chase Nixon, DB
  • 21, Tim Allen, DL
  • 21, Kevin Simes, SL
  • 22, Brady Rose, SL
  • 22, Ahlston Ware, DB
  • 23, Brady Hamby, LB
  • 23, AJ Hill, RB
  • 23, James Robinson, DB
  • 24, Jake Price, RB
  • 24, Nolan Ziegler, LB
  • 25, Edward Kofuma-Henry, DB
  • 26, Javen Sewell, DB
  • 27, Parker Holman, SL
  • 28, Manny Peoples, DB
  • 29, Colbey Reed, RB
  • 30, Ryan Ahern, LB
  • 31, Jack Lamancusa, DE
  • 32, Levi Tuinstra, K/P
  • 34, Colby Bailey, RB
  • 34, Christian Cramer, LB
  • 34, Tyler Greene, DB
  • 35, Eddie Jewett, K
  • 38, Sam Wahlberg, LS
  • 40, Anthony Perdue, DB
  • 41, Michael Bush, LB
  • 42, Jalen Jones, DB
  • 43, Razah Townsend, DL
  • 44, Kailib Davis, DL
  • 45, Mitchell Middleton, K/P
  • 47, Matt McCraw, LB
  • 47, Jalen Mcfadden, DB
  • 48, Josh Garcia, DL
  • 48, Cas Moir, LB
  • 49, Maurice Adams Jr., DL
  • 49, Gabe Blanchard, DL
  • 50, Freddie King, DL
  • 50, Chimdindu Obi, DL
  • 51, D'jaun Gilbert, OL
  • 52, Jarvis Windom, OL
  • 53, Ryan Ross, OL
  • 55, Elmir Jakupovic, OL
  • 56, Ben Przytula, OL
  • 57, Jaylen Washington, OL
  • 64, Cam Heiss, OL
  • 65, Cory Pecynski, OL
  • 66, Kaharri Caldwell, OL
  • 67, Avery Pavlak, OL
  • 68, Jordan Tooles, DL
  • 69, Ace Simonson, OL
  • 70, Andrew DeVries, OL
  • 71, Matthew Misch, OL
  • 72, Tim Anderson, OL
  • 73, Mack Bontekoe, OL
  • 74, Bob Anderson, OL
  • 75, Dayne Arnett, OL
  • 77, Tyrone Webber, OL
  • 78, Dumela Knox, OL
  • 80, Jackson Altwies, DL
  • 80, Jami Williams, WR
  • 81, Devon Strobel, DE
  • 82, Derrick Matlock II, DL
  • 84, Mason Dykstra, TE/H
  • 89, Cooper Nye, DE
  • 90, Royce Daugherty, DL
  • 91, Jvonne Ruffin, DL
  • 92, Cam Post, DL
  • 92, Decarion Raney, DE
  • 93, Erik Seabrook, DL
  • 94, Alefosio Saipaia, DL
  • 97, Sawyer TenHaaf, DE
  • 98, Zach Kelly, DL
  • 99, Markee Jones, DL

Harding Football Roster

  • 0, Jordan Mays, LB
  • 1, Grayson Lewis, DB
  • 2, Josh Strickland Jr., RB
  • 3, G’Kyson Wright, DB
  • 4, Deion Campbell, DB
  • 5, Kyle Henry, LB
  • 6, Luke Martin, DB
  • 7, Braden Jay, RB
  • 8, Andrew Miller, RB
  • 9, Christian Franklin, RB
  • 10, Josh Evans-Pickens, RB
  • 11, Kyler Finney, QB
  • 11, Luke Janack, LB
  • 12, Troy Wiseman, DB
  • 13, Brady Barnett, WR
  • 14, Brandon Hines Jr., RB
  • 15, Corey Dean, DB
  • 15, Cole Keylon, QB
  • 16, Lamont Cox, DB
  • 16, Malik Young, QB
  • 17, Camren Cavalier, QB
  • 17, Zach Valcarcel, DB
  • 18, Darius Brown, WR
  • 18, Cole Redding, DB
  • 19, Josh Gatlin, DB
  • 19, Carter Zimmerman, QB
  • 20, Ty Dugger, DB
  • 21, Bo Simpson, RB
  • 22, Curtis Jackson, DB
  • 23, Tony Agyapong, DL
  • 23, Da’Shawn Chairs, RB
  • 24, Ben Boehm, RB
  • 24, Clark Griffin, LB
  • 25, Tristan Wiley, WR
  • 26, Bob Patterson, WR
  • 26, Cedric Twyman, DB
  • 27, Drew Nelson, DB
  • 28, Zac O’Day, DB
  • 29, Kelon Fountain, DB
  • 30, Mabry Verser, WR
  • 31, Ahmad Jenkins, DB
  • 32, Sam Mitchum, RB
  • 33, Connor Dean, DB
  • 34, Dax Goff, RB
  • 35, Kaleb Walker, DL
  • 36, Carter Hill, DB
  • 36, Lawson Sullivan, RB
  • 37, Antonio Ford, RB
  • 37, Cooper Parker, LB
  • 38, Luke Mammana, P
  • 39, Magnus Lepak, K
  • 40, Kaden Spencer, DL
  • 41, Caden Davis, LB
  • 43, Jax Glendenning, RB
  • 44, Kaden Henley, LB
  • 45, Justin Sobczak, DL
  • 46, Andrew McCall, LB
  • 46, Talan Owen, TE
  • 47, Will Dunn, DL
  • 48, Dane Williams, LB
  • 49, Xavier Hylton, LS
  • 50, Jose Lopez, OL
  • 51, Mike Ericson, OL
  • 52, Gavin Waters, OL
  • 53, Lucas McCain, OL
  • 54, Jake Mitchell, OL
  • 55, Kaynan Harris, DL
  • 56, David Gomez, OL
  • 57, Aidan Hall, LS
  • 60, Jackson Harrison, OL
  • 61, Jon Silvestri, OL
  • 62, Josh Lawrence, OL
  • 64, Jude Steffen, OL
  • 65, Joshua Cobb, OL
  • 66, Noah Ostrander, DL
  • 70, Jordan McClaine, OL
  • 75, Cobe Williams, OL
  • 76, Matt Colvin, OL
  • 78, Dylan Daring, OL
  • 80, Drew Porter, WR
  • 81, Jackson Richardson, WR
  • 82, Bodie Neal, WR
  • 83, Jack Citty, WR
  • 84, Griffin Thomas, K/P
  • 86, Jack Edwards, LS
  • 87, Isaac Gray, TE
  • 87, Levi Mercer, TE
  • 88, Elijah Carlton, WR
  • 89, Johnathan Vining, TE
  • 90, Chase Gratt, DL
  • 91, Brock Knapton, DL
  • 92, Bryce Rushing, DL
  • 93, Josh Garner, DL
  • 95, Nii Addy, DL
  • 96, Joseph Oluwayemi, DL

How To Stream The D2 National Championship 

The 2025 NCAA D2 Football National Championship will be streamed live on ESPN 2. Kickoff is set for 3 PM CT/ 4PM ET. 

What Are Ferris State and Harding's Season Records? 

The Ferris State Bulldogs and the Harding Bisons are both 15-0 on the 2025 season. Each team has managed to stay undefeated on the 2025 season. The GLIAC and GAC champions will square off to see who is taking the first loss of the D2 football season. 

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