FOOTBALL: Ferris Looking Ahead To A Potentially Dangerous Opponent In Lake Erie

Remember this: Take nothing for granted in football in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and always come ready to play.

Ferris State University had better be ready to perform this weekend when it hosts Lake Erie College in league action at 7 p.m. at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs are off to a nice start this season with a 3-1 overall record that includes 2-1 in league action so far. Ferris will work to keep the momentum going as it hosts the Storm at Top Taggart Field.

The Storm is 1-3 overall and 0-3 in the GLIAC, but that does not tell the whole story. Lake Erie has played a tough schedule since it opened the season on Sept. 1 with a 13-10 victory over Gannon University. The Storm has dropped a 41-10 decision to Michigan Tech University, on Sept. 10; a 35-20 game to Saginaw Valley State University, on Sept. 17; and a 35-26 contest to Hillsdale College, on Sept. 24.

So, Lake Erie has played some tough competition as it heads to Big Rapids for this weekend's contest.

This team has a solid dual-threat quarterback in Sean Bedevelsky, who has 127 yards rushing this season with three touchdowns and has passed for 513 yards as its leader. He is capable of breaking off some big plays so the Bulldogs will have to account for him.

COLLEGE HOCKEY: Ferris Picked Ninth By Coaches; Seventh By Media In Preseason CCHA Poll

There will not be too many Central Collegiate Hockey Association polls left for Ferris State University.

The 2011-12 preseason coaches poll has the Bulldogs picked ninth with 50 points while the media poll has Ferris picked in a tie for seventh with Northern Michigan University with 425 points. The Bulldogs of head coach Bob Daniels finished the 2010-11 season with a record of 18-16-5 overall en route to a fifth-place finish in the CCHA. Neither the coaches nor the media are optimistic that Ferris can duplicate that high of a finish during the 2011-12 campaign.

As we have come to realize in the CCHA, however, you never know until you know with how things are going to play out. There is always a surprise team or two (sometimes good and sometimes bad).

2011-12 Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Notre Dame (8) 108

2. Miami (2) 99

3. Michigan (1) 93

4. Western Michigan 83

5. Alaska 63

6. Northern Michigan 60

7. Ohio State 56

8. Michigan State 51

9. Ferris State 50

10. Lake Superior 30

11. Bowling Green 22

2011-12 Preseason Media Poll

1. Notre Dame (44) 819

2. Miami (16) 772

3. Michigan (12) 757

4. Western Michigan 604

5. Alaska 449

6. Michigan State 439

7. Ferris State 425

7. Northern Michigan (Tie) 425

9. Ohio State 386

10. Lake Superior 298

11. Bowling Green 170

COLLEGE HOCKEY: My Preseason CCHA Poll

Here is my Central Collegiate Hockey Association poll submitted to the league offices. It definitely differs from the polls released today, but we shall see how things shake out by the time the 2011-12 season comes to an end.

2011-12 CCHA Preseason Media Poll

1. Michigan
2. Miami
3. Notre Dame
4. Western Michigan
5. Ferris State
6. Michigan State
7. Alaska
8. Northern Michigan
9. Lake Superior State
10. Ohio State
11. Bowling Green State

VOLLEYBALL: Ferris Climbs National Rankings

Lisa Tobiczyk

Ferris State University's volleyball team has climbed the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll to 17th in this week's Sept. 26 rankings.

The Bulldogs are on a tear to start the season at 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Ferris is 10-0 at home this season as it continues to play outstanding volleyball to begin the 2011 campaign.

COLLEGE HOCKEY: It's Almost Time To Get This Party Started

College hockey season is just around the corner and Ferris State University's squad is getting ready for what could be another banner season on the ice.

Check out this quick preview of what is ahead for the Bulldog skaters. More previews are ahead as we count down to the start of the college hockey season.

Ferris-Tiffin Football Video Highlights

Here are some video highlights from the Ferris State University-Tiffin University football game on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 24.

There is some interference with commentary since Ferris and Tiffin broadcast areas were right next to each other.

FOOTBALL: Running Game Looks Strong For Bulldogs

TIFFIN, Ohio - Ferris State University got back to running the football effectively during Saturday afternoon's game at Tiffin University on Sept. 24.

The Bulldogs got 98 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown from Skyler Stoker and enjoyed another 68 yards on eight carries with a touchdown from Jamaal Jackson. Tom Schneider rushed 10 times for 52 yards.

In all, Ferris rushed for 256 yards in Saturday's game against the Dragons' defense.

VOLLEYBALL: Ferris Hits National Rankings

Ferris State University is ranked among the top teams in the nation in Division II as polled by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll (Sept. 19) has recognized the hot start to the season for Ferris State University.

The Bulldogs of head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm are ranked 23rd in the nation in this week's poll and deservedly so as Ferris is off to a red-hot start at 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team is playing strong volleyball and looking to keep the momentum going as the season progresses and more tough competition awaits them both on the road and at home.

The Bulldogs host the University of Findlay (Sept. 23) and national power Hillsdale College (Sept. 24) this weekend in what should be two nice tests. The Oilers are a little below .500, but the Chargers are off to a dynamite start at 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the GLIAC.

The weekend concludes with FSU hosting Wayne State University on Sept. 25. The Warriors are 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the GLIAC. WSU could provide a nice test as well.

FOOTBALL: Ferris Looking For A Big Offensive Performance

Ferris State University has a big date in football coming up with Tiffin University and the team can take nothing for granted in this contest which kicks off Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. from Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin, Ohio.

The Bulldogs are 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They lead the all-time series against Tiffin 3-0.

Ferris defeated the Dragons in a hard-fought 14-12 game in 2008. Since that contest, the two teams have faced twice more with the Bulldogs winning 34-14 and 52-28.

Tiffin has given up 40, 55 and 50 points in its three games this season, defensively. The Bulldogs need to do everything within their power to come out strong, offensively.

HOCKEY: Western Michigan and St. Cloud State To The NCHC

The latest development on the roller coaster of college hockey conferences has Western Michigan University and St. Cloud State University headed to that one league (OK, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference) beginning with the much-anticipated 2013-14 season.

Western's invitation is not a big surprise (especially considering how much WMU has pretty much lobbied for it from the beginning), but it is a little bit of a raised-eyebrow deal for some that SCSU received an invitation to join this college hockey new league of teams seemingly determined to disassociate themselves from the smaller schools that were perhaps deemed less desirable.

This new era of college hockey classism (yes, I know that sounds harsh) has come to college hockey and it isn't leaving any time soon. Some people who were installed as caretakers of college hockey are damaging the sport (a very fragile sport that does not have a lot of schools), but hopefully they are not damaging it beyond the point of repair.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris Plays Some Big-Time Opponents This Season

Ferris State University guard Kenny Brown drives to the hole for the Bulldogs during a home game last season.

The Ferris State University men's basketball team recently added an exhibition contest against Michigan State University to its 2011-12 schedule for Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. in East Lansing.

The Bulldogs also play at the University of Michigan, in a regular season game in Ann Arbor at 7 p.m., on Nov. 11, and then at Central Michigan University, in a regular season game in Mount Pleasant at 7 p.m., on Nov. 12.

So, Ferris will have a lot of Division I exposure and financial benefit this season with that scheduled competition this winter.

FOOTBALL: Ferris State 35, Ohio Dominican 13

The Bulldog defense was active on Saturday night in the 35-13 win over Ohio Dominican in the game played at Top Taggart Field on Sept. 17 in Big Rapids.

Ferris State University went back to work on Saturday evening and came away with a dominant 35-13 win over Ohio Dominican University in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at Top Taggart Field.

The Bulldogs totaled 617 yards of offense. Tom Schneider passed for 306 yards as he completed 22-of-35 passes with a touchdown and Skyler Stoker rushed 22 times for 120 yards and a touchdown to lead the way.

Victor Bodrie tied a school record, set by now Bulldog coach Doc Proctor, as he nailed five field goals from 25, 20, 22, 22 and 28 yards in the victory.

Defensively, Tayo Moss led the way with 12 total tackles. As a team, Ferris had three sacks as Austin Root and Jordan Morgan each had one while Moss and Muneer Bawayeh each had half a sack.

It was a great bounce-back victory for the Bulldogs after last week's tough road loss at Saginaw Valley State University.

Ferris now is 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the GLIAC.

FOOTBALL: Pierce Previews Ohio Dominican

FOOTBALL: Ohio Dominican Is A Dangerous Opponent For Bulldogs

Ferris State University didn't and doesn't have a whole lot of time to reflect on its painful road loss last weekend at Saginaw Valley State University.

The Bulldogs have a different sort of challenging facing them this weekend as Ohio Dominican University rolls into Big Rapids for a 7 p.m. Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest at Top Taggart Field. Ferris is aiming to lift its record to 2-1 on the season while ODU is looking to open the season 3-0 overall.

The Panthers are coming off a dominating performance with a 44-30 road victory over Northwood University in Midland while the Bulldogs are coming off a 30-27 loss to the Cardinals at SVSU. This is a team that is capable of putting a lot of points on the scoreboard as it showed with a 44-point performance against NU last weekend in Midland.

The Bulldogs, defensively, will have to do a nice job on running back Mike Noffsinger, who had 169 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries en route to being named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week.

VOLLEYBALL: Bulldogs Protect Their House

Ferris State University picked up a huge three-set volleyball win (25-21, 25-15, 25-22) over Grand Valley State University on Wednesday night in Ewigleben Sports Arena in front of a capacity crowd.

Any win over the Lakers is a sweet win, but it's an especially sweet win for the Bulldogs to protect their home court and win those precious matches in Big Rapids and steal ones on the road when possible.

It was a great win for the Bulldogs, but the nature of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tells us that more work is ahead.

CROSS COUNTRY: Men's And Women's Video Highlights

Women's Highlights:

Men's Highlights:

FOOTBALL: Ferris State-Saginaw Valley State Video Highlights

Here are some Ferris State video highlights from the Bulldogs tough loss on Saturday night (Sept. 10, 2011) in University Center to Saginaw Valley State.

FOOTBALL: Ferris Suffers A Bitterly-Tough Loss To Saginaw Valley

Ferris State University's football team suffered a tough 30-27 loss on Saturday night before a large crowd of 8,173 at Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium, the home of Saginaw Valley State University.

It was a painful setback for the Bulldogs who put themselves in a position to win, but could not seal the deal as the Cardinals made a few more plays and ultimately emerged victorious against Ferris in the "Red Feather" Classic. Ferris would have loved nothing more than to build off of its emotional 20-17 week-one non-conference win over Hillsdale College, but the Bulldogs nonetheless begin the season 1-1 overall and now 0-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Tom Schneider was superb most of the night as he passed for 315 yards on 28-of-34 passes with two touchdowns while his counterpart, Jonathon Jennings of SVSU, completed 19-of-24 passes for 310 yards with three TDs. Skyler Stoker and the Bulldogs' rushing attack was limited to a team total of 124 yards, but Stoker had 105 yards receiving on seven receptions.

Defensively, linebacker Tayo Moss totaled 11 tackles, defensive back Jaime Berrera had to with an interception and linebacker Alex Brajak had nine total tackles.

The Bulldogs know they have to put this game behind them in spite of the disappointment of losing a game that they will feel they should have won.

Ohio Dominican is coming in next week after a big win over Northwood this past weekend on the road. ODU is well coached, has a good quarterback and is capable of putting some points on the scoreboard in bunches. This is not a team that can be taken for granted.

FOOTBALL: Ferris Faces A Major Challenge With SVSU QB

Saginaw Valley State University Jonathon Jennings is going to be the focal point of the Ferris State University defense on Saturday night beginning at 7 p.m. at Wickes Stadium on the SVSU campus.

The Bulldogs are facing a major challenge with a dual-threat quarterback, in Jennings, who can pass the ball efficiently, but also has the ability to run with the ball. Ferris will work to get pressure on Jennings, but the team must be careful to keep him contained so he does not run wild as he does have the ability and mobility to make plays in the open field. The Bulldogs experienced that last year against SVSU, to some degree, against Cardinals' QB Chuck Dowdell, who was extremely athletic and mobile.

Ferris has to also be strong against the SVSU running game too. The Bulldogs' defensive line will need to be tough in this contest led by Brad Iskow, Muneer Bawayeh, Jordan Morgan, Garrett Woods and company.

Ferris leads the all-time series with Saginaw Valley, 18-17-1.

VOLLEYBALL: An Important Trip This Weekend For Bulldogs

Ferris State's Courtney Rehm (15) follows through on a kill during competition in Big Rapids as part of the Ferris State Invitational.

This weekend's trip to the Upper Peninsula is a big one for the Ferris State University volleyball team as the Bulldogs will take on Michigan Tech University tonight (Friday) and Northern Michigan University on Sunday.

The Bulldogs will be tested this weekend with two quality opponents in their first road action and their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action of the season.

Ferris will look for more strong performances from senior outside hitter Ashley Huntey, the reigning GLIAC North Division Player of the Week.

FOOTBALL: Video Preview Interview With Coach Pierce

Here is a preview interview with Ferris State University football head coach Jeff Pierce discussing this weekend's matchup with Saginaw Valley State University.

FOOTBALL: Previewing Saginaw Valley State

Here is the Saginaw Valley State University portion of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football preview I wrote for the league's website:

Overview: Saginaw Valley State is ready to bounce back from a tough 2010 season on the gridiron as it looks ahead to the coming fall. SVSU has a number of players on both sides of the football who have gained experience for head coach Jim Collins. As a program, the Cardinals are hopeful they can turn the corner. Optimism is running high in Cardinal Country. The program will benefit from some major renovations that are taking place at Wickes Stadium, including the installation of lights, a new scoreboard and a new synthetic playing surface. Coach Collins should have good competition at several key positions that should produce high-quality results for SVSU. Jonathon Jennings appears to be the leading candidate to step in at quarterback this season, but he will be pushed. Ronnie Lark, Brandon Hayes and Nick Gallina give him some weapons. Defensively, the Cardinals should have a solid front seven to anchor the unit.

Offense: SVSU could have a nice competition at the quarterback spot coming into the preseason with Jonathon Jennings perhaps having the lead at the start of training camp. Jennings started in four games as a true freshman last season. Jennings passed for 1,064 yards last season with nine touchdowns. The competition, for Jennings, is expected to come primarily from Jesse Siwek. Some newcomers to the program also could provide competition. Ronnie Lark has worked hard to solidify his position at running back for SVSU. Last season, Lark rushed for 989 yards in GLIAC action with seven touchdowns. He will compete with Brandon Hayes, who has been involved in the offense during his career. Dave Pardun could be in the mix as well. At the receiver position, the name Nick Gallina continues to be a familiar one to fans of the Cardinals. Mike Peterson as well as Mark Thrash, Jeff Janis, and Mike Albrecht who all gained valuable experience last year as red shirt freshman. Look for possible contributions from Kurt Van Essen and newcomer Tim Hogue at receiver. Zach Cecich is back at tight end and Nate Hoyle adds depth at the position. On the offensive line, three starters are back in Nick DiPalma, Frank Toramina and Tevon Conrad.

Defense: On the defensive side of the football, the line is back and anchored by several experienced contributors. Seniors Paul Webb and Brandon Williams were starters and should be helped by returning starters Ryan Busch, who has been moved to tackle, and Nate Snyder. The defensive line looks deep and experienced. Mason Duke, Tony Iacovoni and Jordan Maccoux strengthen the depth. At linebacker, Grant Caserta is back for the Cardinals. A healthy Josh Fallon will be an important part of the SVSU linebacker corps. Brian Johnson and Murphy Wilson will be in the mix to compete for a linebacker job along with transfer Rodney Gallon, who can play inside or outside. In the defensive backfield, the safety positions should be led by Jeff Heath and Darius Middlebrooks while the corner positions could be grabbed by Noah Sumpter and DeAngelo Parris, who will compete with transfers David Touissant and Jon Bryant.

Special Teams: Kyle Kauffman is coming off a solid spring season and is expected to challenge for playing time at punter. At kicker, Tommy Goodroe returns. Cody Ballard was redshirted last year, but he showed a lot of promise during the spring. The Cardinals have also recruited some promising freshmen who may compete for opportunities.

Coaching: Jim Collins returns for his fourth season as the head man for the Cardinals. Collins has posted a 20-13 mark in his first three seasons at SVSU, including a 9-3 mark in 2009 and berth in the Division II playoff that same season.

Key Dates: Saginaw Valley State opens the season against Ferris State on Sept. 10 in a GLIAC home contest at 7 p.m. The Cardinals host rival Northwood in the “Axe Bowl” on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. and hosts Hillsdale for homecoming on Oct. 1. The Cardinals will host Ashland on Oct. 20, in the NCAA Division II Football “Game of the Week” that will air live on the CBS Sports Network. SVSU travels to face GVSU in the “Battle of the Valleys” on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.

FOOTBALL: Ferris State 20, No. 25 Hillsdale 17

Tom Schneider works his way through the defense during Ferris State's Friday football game in Big Rapids at Top Taggart Field against Hillsdale College. (Photo by Scott Whitney)

It was a big win for Ferris State University to upset 25th-ranked Hillsdale at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. As I pointed out, in prior blogs (here and on Crimson and Gold Report) ... I knew this game would be closer than some people had predicted.

Some people had the Bulldogs being blown to bits, but they were nuts. Ferris came up with a few more plays and pulled out a hard-fought 20-17 win over the Chargers on Friday night to open the season 1-0 and head into Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a road date at Saginaw Valley State University.

Skyler Stoker had a great game as he dueled Hillsdale running back Joe Glendening, one of the league's most decorated backs in a great battle all night long. Stoker rushed for 162 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Glendening rushed for 153 yards on 29 carries with one score.

Tom Schneider, Ferris' starting quarterback was solid in running the team's offense and making big plays with his arm and his feet. Mike Ryan made some big catches for the Bulldogs, Dwayne Williams had some nice runs as well in there for FSU.

Defensively, the Bulldogs' line was able to apply some pressure to the Hillsdale quarterbacks (starter Anthony Mifsud and backup Matt Bryan) at some key points of the game (even though the stats for the most part look pretty good for the Charger passers).

An interception and fumble, both by Hillsdale, were huge plays for the Bulldogs to begin the season with a 1-0 record.

FOOTBALL: Coach Pierce Discusses Matchup With Hillsdale

FOOTBALL: Stoker Talks About Greater Confidence This Season

VOLLEYBALL: Huntey Discusses Being One Of The Team Veterans