Two big rivalry games, including a pivotal one with probable postseason implications, highlight Week 4 of the GLIAC intraconference schedule.
This weekend, all eyes will be on Allendale, Mich. for the NCAA Division II game of the year, as No. 1 Grand Valley State (7-0, 3-0 GLIAC) meets No. 3 Ferris State (6-1, 3-0 GLIAC) in the annual Anchor-Bone Classic at 3 p.m. The stakes couldn’t be much higher when the Lakers and Bulldogs clash at Lubbers Stadium. On the line is not only the inside track to the 2024 conference title but also a clearer path to the NCAA postseason.
Grand Valley boasts the nation’s No. 4-ranked rushing offense and No. 7-ranked total defense. Khalil Eichelberger leads the GLIAC in rushing, compiling 564 yards on the ground. The Lakers are one of just nine unbeaten teams remaining in the DII ranks, but they were challenged in their last outing, downing Saginaw Valley State, 16-9, on the road.
Since opening the season with a road loss to Pittsburg State, Ferris State has rolled to six-straight wins. The Bulldogs feature Division II’s No. 2-ranked offense and No. 4-ranked defense. FSU is led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who earned national player of the week honors last week after throwing six touchdowns in a win over Michigan Tech.
In Houghton, Michigan Tech (4-3, 1-2 GLIAC) will host Northern Michigan (0-7, 0-3 GLIAC) in the 22nd edition of the battle for the Miner’s Cup. Husky quarterback Alex Fries headlines the offense, ranking second in the GLIAC in passing yards (1,613) and passing touchdowns (15).
Coming off its first win as a member of the GLIAC, Roosevelt (1-5, 1-2 GLIAC) will be back home on Saturday, hosting Davenport (5-2, 2-1 GLIAC). Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET at the Lakers’ Morris Field in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Saginaw Valley State (5-2, 2-1 GLIAC) visits Wayne State (0-7, 0-3 GLIAC) Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest at Tom Adams Field in Detroit. The Cardinals pushed Grand Valley in a touchdown loss last weekend. Heading into Week 8, the Warriors have played the third-toughest schedule in Division II.
WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Northern Michigan vs Michigan Tech
ALL TIME SERIES OVERALL:
The Huskies earned their 50th win over the ‘Cats last season and control the series with a record of 50-41-5
SERIES IN HOUGHTON:
Michigan Tech leads 27-1- 15 in Houghton.
Northern Michigan Notes
The Northern Michigan University football team hits the road this weekend, traveling up US-41 to Houghton to clash with Michigan Tech in the annual Miner’s Cup game.
The Wildcats (0-7, 0-3) will look to pick up its first win of the season and secure the Miner’s Cup from the Huskies (4-3, 1-2) for the first time since 2009. This year marks the 22nd rendition of the Miner’s Cup game.
The game will be televised locally on TV6, with Mark Evans and Dave Ellis on the call, joined by sideline reporter Kevin McNulty. This will be the 12th year TV6 and FOX-UP have covered the rivalry series dating back 2013.
Last Time Out
Northern Michigan fell in a nail-biting 16-10 OT decision against the newest member of the GLIAC, Roosevelt, last Saturday in the Superior Dome.
NMU was steadfast in its commitment to a run game, running the ball on 48 of 50 (96.0%) of its plays. The offense was paced by Jahi Wood, rushing for 120 of NMU’s 201 yards.
The Wildcats found the first score of the game with a 35-yard FG from Michael Karlen. Roosevelt scored 10 points between the second and third quarters. The Wildcats tied the game up with a QB sneak from QB Aidan Hoard in the fourth quarter.
Roosevelt recovered a fumble from NMU in overtime and found the endzone shortly after for the win.
Cat Nips
- The Green and Gold field one of the youngest teams in the nation, with 42 of 96 (43.8%) of the roster consisting of first-year players. Underclassmen makeup 68 of the 96 (70.8%) roster spots.
- Freshman Jahi Wood (406) is 5th in the conference in rushing while Elizin Rouse (220), Vince Martin (214), and Nico Lukkarienen rank 13th, 14th, and 20th respectively. Lukkarinen’s 3 TD runs rank in the top-10 in the conference. The Wildcats have the 4th best rushing attack in the league at 156.4 yards/game.
- NMU has been strictly focused on the run, only attempting seven pass attempts with zero completions over the last two games.
- Adam Saleh is 5th in the conference with 45 tackles, while his 33 solo tackles are tied for second. Mitch Larkin is currently 8th in the GLIAC with 44 tackles. Larkin paced the conference last season with 118.
- Michael Love is tied for 2nd in the conference with 4 TD catches this season. His two touchdown catches against UW-La Crosse marked the first time a Wildcat receiver found the endzone twice in a game since September 24, 2022 when Wyatt Davis went for two scores on Homecoming in a 42-14 win over Post. He is 6th in the GLIAC with 341 receiving yards.
- NMU’s 269 yards on the ground at UW-La Crosse earlier this year marked its best ground effort since the 2018 season.
- Michael Karlen is a perfect 6-6 on FG’s and 13-13 on PAT’s this season.
A Look at Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech enters the weekend at 4-3. Michigan Tech is coming off of a 51-13 loss against No. 4 Ferris State last weekend.
Alex Fries has thrown for 1,613 yards and 15 TD’s, both the second-best across the conference. Ethan Champney and Darius Willis have proved to be a dynamic duo for Fries, as the pair rank 2nd and 3rd in the GLIAC with 591 and 576 receiving yards, respectively. Willis’ 7 TD’s lead the league.
Michigan Tech Notes
THE GOAL LINE
• It’s the 102nd year of Michigan Tech Football • Dan Mettlach returns for his second season at the helm of the Huskies • All home and conference games will be broadcast on Flofootball. • The Huskies were tabbed to finish fifth in the GLIAC Coaches’ Poll. • It’s the 50th year reunion of the undefeated 1974 team. • Michigan Tech welcome backs Jace Daniels as the Tight Ends coach. • Head coach Dan Mettlach has named Alex Fries, Hunter Buechel, Marc Sippel and Brandon DeVries as the captains for the 2024 season • The Huskies All-time reception leader Darius Willis has broken the career reception yards record, and the reception touchdowns record this season. • Quarterback Alex Fries broke the school record for single game passing yards (471) and five touchdowns in the 4OT 52- 50 win vs. South Dakota Mines on Thursday Night. He was also named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. • Darius is atop the conference in receiving touchdowns (7) and second in receiving yards (576). • Senior quarterback Alex Fries sits second in the league in passing touchdowns (15), passing yards (1,613) and passing yards per game (230.4). He earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 1 • Michigan Tech junior defensive back Dante Basanese has been named Week Five GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week. The honor is the first of his career and the second defensive player of the week this season for the Huskies.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Northern Michigan is still finding its identity under second-year head coach Shane Richardson, as NMU has played to a winless record in 2024 at 0-7 overall and 0-3 in the loop. The Wildcats are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss at the Superior Dome, falling to first-year GLIAC affiliate Roosevelt 16-10. For the season, NMU is averaging 15.5 points per game, while the opposition is scoring over 39 points against the Wildcats. Second-year quarterback Aidan Hoard has thrown for 551 yards and four touchdowns with 38 completions in 104 attempts. Hoard’s favorite receiver is Michael Love as the lone Wildcat with over 100 yards receiving with 341 yards and four touchdowns. The Wildcats have put a bigger emphasis on the run game this season, with five players having more than 30 carries, led by Jahi Wood with 406 rushing yards and a touchdown. Redshirt freshman Nico Lukkarinen has recorded a team-leading three rushing scores. Adam Saleh (45 total tackles) and Mitch Larkin (44 total tackles) lead the Wildcats on defense. Chace Bridgers and Jax Hertel combined for four sacks as the defense has amassed three interceptions.
Saginaw Valley State vs Wayne State
The Series
This is the 44th meeting between Saginaw Valley State and Wayne State. The Cardinals lead the all-time series 32-11-1 and have won the last four meetings, and five of the last six in the series. Four of the last six meetings have had a one-score deficit; five of the last six finals scores have had a two-score difference, with the average margin of victory during that time being just over eight points. Last season’s overtime win of 17-10 win took place on homecoming week for SVSU. The Cardinals scored before an interception by Eli Gordon sealed the victory
Saginaw Valley State Notes
Kick-Off
The Saginaw Valley State University Football team travels to Wayne State for a GLIAC contest on Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. (ET) kick off. The Cardinals had their four-game winning streak snapped in a tightly contested 16-9 loss against Grand Valley State last Saturday, October 19. SVSU took a 9-3 lead into the half, but the Lakers were able to take the lead in the third quarter despite being held to a season-low 50 yards rushing. Wayne State is coming off a 43-26 loss on the road against Davenport. The Warriors held a 19-12 advantage at halftime, but the Panthers scored 17 points in the third to take the lead for good in the game.
1ST-AND-10
• The Cardinals currently sit in a tie for second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) standings with Davenport. The Cardinals and Panthers are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. Davenport and Saginaw Valley State will meet in two weeks at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium. • SVSU has two games on the road, and two at home in the final four games of the season. The Cardinals are at Wayne State this week before hosting Davenport on 11/2. SVSU then goes to Big Rapids to face Ferris State on the road on 11/9 before wrapping up the regular season against Michigan Tech on 11/16. • Senior All-American linebacker Micah Cretsinger was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 and the D2 Elite 100 watch lists. Junior linebacker Brandon Rawls joined Cretsinger on the D2 Elite 100 list. • Saginaw Valley faces three ranked opponents this season: at (#15) Indianapolis (W, 28-24), (#2) Grand Valley State (L, 16-9), and at (#5) Ferris State on November 9. • Freshman quarterback Mason McKenzie is 96-of-172 through the air for 1,288 yards and nine touchdowns. McKenzie leads the Cardinals in passing and rushing with 60 carries for 459 yards and four scores on the ground. He currently ranks third in the GLIAC in rushing and passing yards. • Junior receiver Eric Craft leads the team in receptions with 20 for 325 yards and two scores. Redshirt freshman Joseph Walker has the second-most catches on the team with 16 for 255 yards and a score. • Terrence Brown Jr. is third on the team with 13 receptions for 197 yards and five total touchdowns (2 rushing, 3 receiving) this season. • Alfred Dailey Jr. leads the defense with 44 tackles through six games. 2023 All-American linebacker Micah Cretsinger and safety Eli Gordon have 39 stops for second-best on the team. Gordon has a GLIAC-high four interceptions (6thmost in the nation). Leonard Henry IV has 36 stops and leads NCAA Division II in sacks with 8.5 (1.21 per game). • Brandon Rawls recorded a season-high 11 tackles against Grand Valley State last week. It is the second time this season that Rawls has compiled double-tackles (fourth time of his career).
Wayne State Notes
Game notes unavailable.
Davenport vs Roosevelt
SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES
● The Panthers have not played Roosevelt University, the newest member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Lakers were previously Robert Morris University (Ill.) and the name changed to Roosevelt when Robert Morris dissolved in 2019 and Roosevelt acquired the school. Under Roosevelt, the team started competition in 2020 and was a member of the NAIA and Mid-States Football Association. Current head coach Jared Williamson has been the head coach of the program since it was started in 2011 as Robert Morris. The Panthers played one game at Morris Field and it was on Sept. 1, 2018 against then Robert Morris. DU won the contest 44-7 and dominated the stats with a 495-95 edge in total yards. Deondre Ford threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns for the Panthers. Nate Couturier caught three passes for 87 yards including two scores.
Davenport Notes
DU LOOKING FOR FIFTH ROAD WIN IN 2024 AT ROOSEVELT
● The Panthers will look to extend their road winning streak to five games this Saturday as they make their first trip to Illinois since 2018 at Quincy. The GLIAC newcomer in Roosevelt University is on the docket this time around with a 2 PM eastern kickoff at Morris Field in Arlington Heights. ● Davenport scored a season-high 43 points in last Saturday’s 43-26 victory over Wayne State on Homecoming. The Panthers improved to 8-0 all-time on homecoming and needed a big second half against the Warriors to propel them to victory. The Panthers scored 31 second-half points after scoring 57 in the second half through the first six games of the season. Davenport gained a season-high 470 total yards and rushed for a season-high of 240 yards. Myren Harris finished with 156 rushing yards and had the third-most rushing yards in a game at DU. He ran for 132 yards and two scores in the fourth quarter alone. Kendall Williams caught two touchdown passes against his former team, both occurring in the third quarter from 20 and 28 yards respectively. Brandon Gielow connected on a pair of field goals from 43 yards (season high) in the first quarter and 23 yards in the third quarter. Preston Smith had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season with four catches for 111 yards and a score. ● The Lakers picked up their first NCAA Division II and GLIAC win last week with a 16-10 overtime triumph at Northern Michigan. Mauricio Escudero kicked a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter for a 3-3 score at halftime. Cyrus Zuell then rushed for two touchdowns on a four-yarder with 10:23 left in the third quarter and again in overtime from 11 yards out. NMU had the ball first in overtime, but Aidan Hoard fumbled for the Wildcats and it was recovered by RU’s Jaylen Olokun. Zuell carried three times for 25 yards in overtime including the game-winner.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE
● Davenport was able to score 14 fourth-quarter points in their win over Wayne State. DU hasn’t had a fourth quarter touchdown since 13:45 remained against Central Missouri on Sept. 21 before Myren Harris ran for 67 yards at the 9:57 mark. It was a tie for the third-longest run in school history also by Harris in last year’s game at the University of Mary. ● The Panthers have had a knack for blocking kicks this season and lead the conference with four blocks. Geemontae Peck has two blocked kicks coming on a PAT at Michigan Tech and a field goal at William Jewell. The Panthers also have two blocked punts. Khole Hofmann blocked one at William Jewell and Mac VandenHout had one last week against Wayne State. ● It was also a first for the Panthers in their history when Christian Jones scooped up a fumble on a PAT attempt and returned it for two points against the Warriors last week. WSU scored on their opening drive, but the return made it 6-2.
Roosevelt Notes
SETTING THE SCENE:
Roosevelt returns to the comforts of Morris Field fresh off its first win at the Division II level. The Lakers held off Northern Michigan in overtime last week to collect that first win with Cyrus Zuell breaking through for a pair of touchdowns. They face a familiar foe in Davenport, the only opponent on the schedule this year that the program has faced before.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS:
The Panthers’ only losses this season have been to ranked opponents, but it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Davenport. After falling 24-7 at home to Grand Valley State, the Panthers have started sluggishly the past two weeks. Davenport was tied at halftime against Michigan Tech before pulling out a 24-20 win then had to rally from a halftime deficit against Wayne State. Davenport has played two quarterbacks this season in Mike O’Horo and D’Wan Mathis. Mathis has been the slightly more accurate passer, but they both pose a problem as a dual threat. Behind Myren Harris’ 95 carries, the two quarterbacks rank second and third in rushes this season, though both average less than three yards per carry. The Panthers focus much of thier passing game on three receivers: Harris, Preston Smith and Kendall Williams. The trio each have at least 22 catches, double anyone else on the roster. They have also combined to catch nine of the 11 touchdown passes this season. The defense is led by the secondary, notably Cameren Grodhaus, who has three picks and four pass breakups while alos leading the team with 54 tackles. Christian Jones has two interceptions and four breakups while Chris Thompson has broken up seven passes. Davenport also puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback with 20 sacks this season.
MCKEON TAKES CHARGE:
Roosevelt head coach Jared Williamson will miss the rest of the 2024 season after suffering a lower-body injury on a collision during the Lakers’ game at Ferris State on October 5. Defensive coordinator Bill McKeon will be the gameday coach for Roosevelt for the rest of the season while assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator CJ Davis will handle the day-to-day operations of the program. Williamson is expected to make a full recovery and be back on the sidelines again for the Lakers in time for spring practice. FEELING ZUELL: Cyrus Zuell had his first 100-yard game in college last week when he went for 121 yards and two scores. Zuell has quickly become the Lakers’ go-to back this season and has made an impact both as a runner and receiver. He’s already had two games with at least four catches and has gotten 20-plus carries in each of the last four contests.
Ferris State vs Grand Valley State
Series History
GVSU holds a 32-23-1 all-time series’ advantage entering Saturday’s showdown between the two schools with FSU having won 11 of the past 16 overall. Saturday’s game will mark the ninth-straight regular season matchup in which both teams have been ranked among the top 15 nationally at kickoff time and the 13th consecutive time overall, including postseason games in both 2015 and 2016 along with 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Ferris State Notes
This Week’s Action
The Ferris State University Bulldogs square off against rival Grand Valley State in the Anchor-Bone Classic on Saturday at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale. Both teams are ranked among the top three in the nation in the AFCA poll this week. The Bulldogs beat Michigan Tech 51-13 this past week at Top Taggart Field after jumping out to a 20-0 first quarter edge. FSU has now outscored the opposition 265-40 over the past five games this campaign. The Bulldogs have made a nation-leading nine consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs, including back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022.
The Matchup
GVSU is presently 7-0 overall this year and also tied with FSU atop the GLIAC with a 3-0 conference mark. The Lakers went 11-2 overall a year ago and won the league with a 6-0 record. Grand Valley State is presently 4-0 overall at home this year and ranked as the nation’s #1 team this week by both the AFCA and D2Football.com.
National Rankings
Ferris State was a consensus #3 team nationally in both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D2Football.com preseason national polls. This week, the Bulldogs moved back up to third in the AFCA D2 poll along with fourth in the D2Football.com national rankings.
Saturday’s Matchup
Ferris State has captured eight of the last 11 regular-season matchups between the two West Michigan rivals. The two teams have both also squared off in the NCAA Division II Playoffs five times in recent history with GVSU winning in 2015 in Big Rapids before FSU returned the favor with a 47-32 triumph over the Lakers in 2016 in Allendale in the Super Region Four Championship game. Three years ago, Ferris State beat GVSU 54-20 in the second round en route to the program’s first NCAA Division II National Championship and topped the Lakers 24- 21 in Allendale in 2022 in the national quarterfinals before going on to claim a second-straight national title. The Lakers won last year’s playoff rematch in Allendale by a 21-14 score.
The Anchor-Bone
The Anchor Bone Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the Ferris State-Grand Valley State football regular-season game. The trophy debuted in 2002 and GVSU won the first nine matchups before FSU maintained possession of the trophy four consecutive years from 2012-15. The Lakers reclaimed the trophy in the regular-season in 2016 before the Bulldogs won a thrilling 28-27 decision at Top Taggart Field in 2017 in the NCAA Division II National Game of the Week. FSU beat the Lakers 35-31 at Lubbers Stadium in 2018 and then topped Grand Valley State 21-16 at home in Big Rapids in 2019. Three years ago, FSU held onto the trophy with a 35-28 regular-season win in 2021 in Allendale before GVSU won back the trophy with a 22-21 win in Big Rapids in 2022 followed by a 49- 28 regular-season win a year ago at Lubbers Stadium.
Grand Valley State Notes
• #1 Grand Valley State will host #3 Ferris State in the 2024 Anchor-Bone Classic. The Anchor-Bone Classic began in 2002, but the first game was a 40-10 Laker win in 2003. GVSU leads the all-time Anchor-Bone Classic series by a 12-8 margin. The Lakers (7-0) are coming off a 16-9 victory over #23 Saginaw Valley State, while the Bulldogs are coming off a 51-13 victory over Michigan Tech.
• The Lakers have won 19 consecutive GLIAC games. The two-time defending GLIAC champions’ last GLIAC loss was 10-16-21. In addition, the Lakers have won 16 consecutive regular season games.
• Last Week – Grand Valley State trailed 9-3 at the half but scored 13 second half points to claim a 16-9 victory at #23 Saginaw Valley State. PK Mathew Bacik converted a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter. The Laker defense forced a punt and GVSU drove 50 yards in 11 plays for a TD. Derrick Woods finished the drive with a 1-yard run. The Lakers took over possession of the ball late in the third quarter and drove 90 yards in nine plays for a TD. QB Avery Moore tossed a 22- yard TD pass to TE Gavin Cossou to give the Lakers a 16-9 lead. Moore connected on 13-of-22 passes for 184 yards and a TD, while Kyle Nott led the receiving unit with three catches for 67 yards. Kellen Reed caught three passes for 46 yards. LB Anthony Cardamone led the defense with 11 tackles, 2.0 TFL and a QB sack, while FS Ian Kennelly chipped in eight tackles.
• GVSU is 37-19 versus ranked teams since 2009 and 228-38 versus all teams as a ranked team since 2001.
