October 19, 2024
Ferris State football linebacker Sefa Saipaia chases down a Michigan Tech runner during the Bulldogs’ win over the Huskies on Saturday afternoon.
BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN —
The Ferris State University football team defeated Michigan Tech 51-13 behind QB Trinidad Chambliss’ six touchdown passes for their sixth straight win of the year.
Ferris State, ranked No. 4 in the nation, had quarterback Chambliss connect with Emari O’Brien for a 68-yard touchdown pass just over a minute into the game in front of a large crowd of 4,700 fans at Top Taggart Field. and took an early lead.
The Bulldogs scored 20 points in the first quarter and 21 points in the second. The Huskies scored on two field goals and a touchdown in the second quarter, but were otherwise held back by Ferris State’s strong defense.
“It was a great team win,” head coach Tony Annese said. “It’s great to have Connor Near back. He threw for 399 yards, one shy of 400 yards. It was a great performance by Trinidad. Overall, great things there.”
With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 6-1 on the season and are undefeated in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team defeated Wayne State 27-14 last week in a game played over two days due to lightning and inclement weather. Their only loss came in the season opener against Pittsburgh State.
Chambliss, a Grand Rapids native, won the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week award last week for the third time this season.
“Going into the game, we knew Michigan Tech was playing a solid defense,” he said. “We just played our brand of ball. Our O-line played great. They played around. Our receivers were great overseas.”
Michigan Tech is currently 4-3 on the season and 1-2 in the conference. The Bulldogs are on a six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 316-53.
“I think today was a lot of fun,” said Nia, a senior linebacker at St. John’s University. “We had a good week of practice. Michigan Tech had some short fields early on, but we held them to field goals. I couldn’t be more satisfied and we’ll move forward as a team.”
The Bulldogs will look to extend their winning streak next week when they take on rival Grand Valley State University in the Anchorborn Classic in Allendale. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
Ferris State then plays its final road game of the regular season against Northern Michigan University on November 2nd, followed by back-to-back home games against Saginaw Valley State University on November 9th and Calder City on November 9th. They will end the season against Davenport University in the Classic. November 16th.
