FOOTBALL: Solid Win By Bulldogs To Open The Season

BIG RAPIDS - It wasn't always pretty, but Ferris State University earned a 34-14 non-conference win over Tiffin University to open the 2009 season.

The Bulldogs got the job done thanks to an impressive running game that was led by D.J. Freeman, who finished with 89 rushing yards and one touchdown on 13 attempts. In addition to Freeman, Tyler Thomas added 61 yards rushing on eight carries with a touchdown, quarterback Kyle Parrish totaled 58 yards on 11 attempts and Skyler Stoker racked up 29 yards on six carries.

In all, the Bulldogs netted 258 rushing yards (to 231 yards of TOTAL OFFENSE for the visiting Dragons).

On a day with a steady rain through much of the contest, the prescription for success begins with a strong running game and a good defense.

Ferris had both with the 258 rushing yards and holding the opposition to just 231 yards in total offense.

Defensively, senior linebacker Kyle Fitzpatrick may have been the player of the game (by any and all judgments) as he finished with five tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and an interception that he returned 65 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Nick Butler, another senior linebacker, led the team with nine total tackles, Matt Ryan added eight and Santino Favot had five tackles in the victory.

Photo taken by Ed Hyde