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2026 Ferris State vs Grand Valley State

10 Players Who Could Decide The Anchor-Bone Classic

10 Players Who Could Decide The Anchor-Bone Classic

No. 1 Ferris State Football travels to No. 13 Grand Valley State on Sat., Oct. 17 for the 24th Annual Anchor-Bone Classic. These are 10 players to watch.

Oct 14, 2026 by Cristiana Rosa
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2025 Anchor-Bone Classic Highlights | Grand Valley State vs Ferris State Football8:05

It's almost time for the greatest rivalry the state of Michigan, nay, the Midwest, has ever seen: the Anchor-Bone Classic.

No. 1 Ferris State travels to rival No. 13 Grand Valley State for the 24th annual Anchor-Bone Classic on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. The Bulldogs and Lakers kick off at Lubbers Stadium at 3 p.m. ET. The 2026 faceoff marks the 15th consecutive meeting in which both teams are ranked.

The rivalry trophy may have originated in 2002, but its roots date back to 1972. Ferris State won the first recorded matchup between the two in a 42-0 shutout victory. Since then, the Bulldogs have gone 25-32-1 against the Lakers in regular-season rivalry and postseason action. At Lubbers Stadium (Allendale, Mich.), Grand Valley State holds a 16-13 advantage.

The Lakers look to extend that advantage in this year's Anchor-Bone Classic. We can count on explosive plays, gritty competition and a healthy amount of trash talk between the two, but what players can we count on to secure the win for either team? There is a surplus of talent on both sides of the field, but 10 players stand out when it comes to deciding if the Buffalo Wild Wings Anchor-Bone Classic trophy will stay in Allendale or return to Big Rapids with the Bulldogs.

UPCOMING

2026 Ferris State vs Grand Valley State

Sat, Oct 17 · 7:00 PM UTC

WATCH

Quarterback Picks (Hopefully There Are None)

Wyatt Bower, Ferris State (So., QB)

True sophomore, true talent. That's Wyatt Bower.

Anyone who is trusted to start at quarterback under head coach Tony Annese is bound to be a star - Bower is no exception. This year, the Corunna, Mich., native has racked up a total of 1,086 passing yards and seven touchdowns through six games. That may seem low in comparison to other QBs, but Bower is fast and impresses on the ground. His total rises to 1,457 when you add his near-400 rushing yards. Even more impressive are his eight solo scores from scampering into the end zone.

Andrew Schuster, Grand Valley State (R-So., QB)

Andrew Schuster is one of the greatest quarterbacks in Division II right now, and that's not an exaggeration.

The redshirt sophomore can sling it, throwing for 1,418 yards on 141 attempts (100 completions) this season to rank 10th in NCAA D2 in yards per attempt (10.06). Better than his arm is his accuracy: Schuster has thrown 20 touchdowns this season, which is the third-most in the division. He also ranks third in efficiency with a rating of 200.79.

Scoring Sensations (Running Backs And Receivers)

Zak Ahern, Ferris State (Sr., RB)

Veteran running back Zak Ahern has the potential to be a problem for GVSU.

At 6'2", 230 lbs., Ahern is a weapon in the backfield. He ranks third on the team with 196 rushing yards on 35 carries this season. He's scored five times, including his standout performance in the season opener. In Ferris State's 42-14 win at Pittsburg State, the Rockford, Mich., native had a season-high 87-yard, two-touchdown game. He has scored in every nonconference outing this season.

Kellen Reed, Grand Valley State (Sr., WR)

If you know GVSU football, you know Kellen Reed. Plain and simple.

The senior receiver leads the nation in receiving touchdowns (15), receiving yards (835) and receiving yards per game (139.2). He ranks in the top 10 nationally in total touchdowns (T-third, 15), total points scored and scoring (T-third, 90), and receptions per game (T-ninth, 7.33). It's no wonder he's Schuster's primary target.

Reed was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week following the 69-3 victory over Wayne State (MI) in Week 5. He tied a conference and program single-game record in the duel with five receiving touchdowns covering 46, 31, 39, 10 and 27 yards.

Kevin Simes, Ferris State (So., SL)

Sophomore slot receiver Kevin Simes is one of Ferris State's top receiving threats.

Bower consistently targets Simes in action, connecting with the Detroit, Mich., native 20 times for a total of 278 yards and one touchdown. What makes Simes great is his understanding of the game and speed. As a former track athlete, he can explode in the slot, allowing him to pull away from the secondary as he navigates the open field. He's elusive, he's effective and he's going to be a problem for GVSU.

I'd Be Scared, If I Were You (Defense)

Keegan Sell, Grand Valley State (So., LB)

Through 10 games in 2025, Keegan Sell had 21 tackles. Through the first six games in 2026, he already has 26, 14 of which are unassisted.

At 6'0" and 215 lbs., Sell is a major defensive threat to Ferris State. His high school background in wrestling and track gives him the leverage and speed needed to excel in this position, and it has clearly paid off. His best game of the season thus far was on the road at Ashland, where he totaled six tackles (three solo) and 0.5 sacks (-1).

Trace Corlew, Ferris State (So., DB)

A transfer from GLIAC opponent Saginaw Valley State, Trace Corlew is already making a name for himself at Ferris State.

The sophomore DB leads the team in total tackles with 26, 15 of which are team-best solos. He has charted 2.5 tackles for loss (-4) and four pass breakups through six games this season. In his second game in Ferris State attire, Corlew put up a season-high nine tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup. In his next outing, a 28-14 win at Central Washington, he totaled seven tackles (six solo), 2.0 tackles for loss (-3) and two pass breakups.

Jimmy Downs, Grand Valley State (Sr., LB)

I know I already mentioned one GVSU linebacker, but Jimmy Downs is a beast, too.

The veteran linebacker led the team in tackles last season with 57 (17 solo, 40 assisted), notched 7.0 tackles for loss (-20) and 1.5 QB sacks (-11). This season, he has tallied 19 tackles (nine solo, 10 assisted) and 2.0 quarterback sacks (-18). A leader on the team, Downs has added a pass deflection and forced fumble to his stat line this season as well.

Kickers Are People, Too!

There is a good chance that this game comes down to PATs and field goals. In that case, kickers really could be the decision-makers of who claims the BWW A-BC trophy (loving this acronym, by the way). That's why I'm highlighting Jay Cady and Mathew Bacik.

Jay Cady, Ferris State (So., K)

Ironically, Ferris State's sophomore kicker is a Grand Valley State transfer.

This season, Cady is nearly perfect on PATs, going 38-for-39 after touchdowns. He's 2-for-6 on field goals this season with a season-long 34 yards. The Oxford, Mich., native has tallied 44 points this season.

Mathew Bacik, Grand Valley State (Jr., K)

Bacik has been perfect in 2026: he's made every PAT attempt for a flawless 37-for-37 mark and has gone 5-for-5 on field goals with a season-long 40 yards. Overall, Bacik has racked up a whopping 52 points to rank sixth in scoring in the GLIAC and tie for 29th in NCAA DII.

Don't Miss The Anchor-Bone Classic

When Ferris State and Grand Valley State Football meet, expect four quarters of hard-hitting football, big plays and rivalry intensity. With two of Division II's top programs battling for bragging rights, the Anchor-Bone Classic is a must-watch matchup for college football fans.

The Bulldogs and Lakers know what's at stake, and neither side will want to give an inch. Whether you're tuning in for the rivalry, the championship-caliber talent or the atmosphere surrounding one of Division II's biggest games, this is a matchup you won't want to miss.

FloCollege D2 Football Rankings Week 6

  1. Ferris State (6-0) - Prev. 1
  2. Harding (6-0) - Prev. 2
  3. CSU Pueblo (6-0) - Prev. 3
  4. Kutztown (6-0) - Prev. 5
  5. Minnesota State (7-0) - Prev. 4
  6. Slippery Rock (6-0) - Prev. 7
  7. Western Colorado (6-0) - Prev. 8
  8. Northwood (6-0) - Prev. 9
  9. Henderson State (6-0) - Prev. 10
  10. Davenport (6-0) - Prev. 13
  11. Emporia State (6-0) - Prev. 18
  12. Northwest Missouri State (4-1) - Prev. 14
  13. Grand Valley State (5-1) - Prev. 6
  14. Findlay (5-1) - Prev. 12
  15. Michigan Tech (5-1) - Prev. 23
  16. Johnson C. Smith (5-1) - Prev. 19
  17. Carson-Newman (6-1) - Prev. 21
  18. Indiana (PA) (5-1) - Prev. 11
  19. UT Permian Basin (5-1) - Prev. 20
  20. Virginia Union (5-1) - Prev. 17
  21. North Greenville (5-1) - Prev. 15
  22. Valdosta State (4-1) - Prev. 22
  23. Benedict (5-1) - Prev. 24
  24. South Dakota Mines (5-1) - Prev. 25
  25. Mars Hill (5-1) - Prev. 16

Also Receiving Votes:

Wayne State (NE) (6-1), East Stroudsburg (5-1), Hillsdale (5-1), Augustana (SD) (5-2), Roosevelt (5-1), Central Washington (4-2), Shepherd (5-1), East Central (5-1), Virginia State (6-1), Edward Waters (5-1), West Liberty (5-1), West Alabama (5-1), Minnesota Duluth (5-2).

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