Three games. Three 2025 NCAA Division II playoff teams. Three wins. That's the story of the Ferris State Bulldogs in 2026.
Now, after a week off, No. 1 Ferris State Football returns to Big Rapids for Homecoming.
The two-time defending national champion Bulldogs host Kentucky Christian on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Top Taggart Field, putting a 33-game winning streak on the line before beginning GLIAC play the following week.
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Ferris State has already handled one of the most difficult opening stretches in Division II, beating Pittsburg State, Bentley and then-No. 9 Central Washington to start 3-0. All three opponents reached the 2025 NCAA Division II playoffs and entered 2026 as preseason favorites in their respective conferences.
Kentucky Christian, an NAIA program from the Appalachian Athletic Conference, comes to Big Rapids after giving Faulkner everything it could handle in a 39-28 loss.
Here's what to know about Ferris State vs. Kentucky Christian.
When Is Ferris State vs. Kentucky Christian Football?
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Top Taggart Field, Big Rapids, Michigan
Occasion: Ferris State Homecoming
The matchup is Ferris State's annual Homecoming game and its final contest before the Bulldogs begin GLIAC play Oct. 3 at Northern Michigan.
Three Games, Three Playoff Teams, Three Ferris State Wins
Ferris State wasn't handed an easy path into its title defense.
The Bulldogs opened on the road against Pittsburg State (the last program to beat Ferris), and left with a 42-14 victory. Ferris State ran for 385 yards and five touchdowns in the win.
A 38-3 win over Bentley followed before the Bulldogs headed across the country for a matchup with then-No. 9 Central Washington.
That one provided the biggest test yet.
Ferris State took a 21-14 lead into halftime and committed two turnovers early in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs never allowed Central Washington to tie the game. A 99-yard touchdown drive eventually gave Ferris State some breathing room in a 28-14 victory.
Through three games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 108-31.
Now they get something they haven't had much of to begin 2026: rest.
Ferris State had a bye following the trip to Central Washington and returns to Top Taggart Field with two weeks to prepare for Kentucky Christian.
Wyatt Bower Is 'The Guy' For Ferris State
Quarterback Wyatt Bower has quickly become one of the names to know for the defending national champions.
Bower delivered one of his best performances of the young season against Central Washington, completing 8 of 15 passes for 172 yards while rushing 20 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
His biggest run came in the second half.
With Ferris State still leading by only seven, Bower broke free for a 43-yard touchdown to finish the Bulldogs' 99-yard drive and extend the lead to 28-14. The performance earned him GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
But Bower hasn't been alone.
Running back Zak Ahern scored twice and rushed for 87 yards against Pittsburg State, while wide receiver Jaylin Townsend has emerged as a big-play threat. Townsend caught three passes for 89 yards against Central Washington.
The Bulldogs also rushed for 308 yards against Central Washington and 385 against Pittsburg State, giving Kentucky Christian another difficult assignment against the Ferris State ground game.
Kentucky Christian Nearly Pulled Off A Win Against Faulkner
Kentucky Christian's record doesn't tell the entire story of its most recent game.
The Knights held a 28-25 lead over Faulkner with less than two minutes remaining Saturday before the Eagles scored twice in the final 1:48 to escape with a 39-28 victory.
Quarterback Xavier Phillips completed 13 of 32 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also ran for a touchdown.
Both of Phillips' passing touchdowns went to Jalen Briscoe, including a 3-yard score that gave Kentucky Christian its 28-25 fourth-quarter lead. Briscoe finished with 70 receiving yards, while Jamareon Dale added a rushing touchdown.
Kentucky Christian finished with only 232 yards of offense, but all four of its trips into the red zone ended with touchdowns.
The challenge gets considerably bigger this week.
33 Straight And Counting For Ferris State
Every Ferris State victory adds another game to a streak that has now stretched across three seasons.
The Bulldogs' victory over Central Washington was their 33rd consecutive win, a run dating back to their season-opening loss to Pittsburg State in 2024.
The bigger picture has been just as impressive.
Ferris State has won four of the past five NCAA Division II national championships, including back-to-back titles entering 2026. The Bulldogs were again picked to win the GLIAC before the season and entered the year ranked No. 1 in the D2Football.com preseason poll.
Saturday represents the next opportunity to extend that run.
After three games against returning Division II playoff teams, Ferris State gets Homecoming, a rested roster and one final nonconference game before the GLIAC schedule arrives.
Kentucky Christian gets a shot at the two-time defending national champions.
How To Watch Ferris State vs. Kentucky Christian Football
Ferris State and Kentucky Christian kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan.
The Ferris State vs. Kentucky Christian game is streaming on FloSports and the FloCollege app.
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