BLOG 52: Still plenty to play for as Bulldogs look ahead

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Tim Hogue tries to escape the tackle of a Michigan Tech defender during Saturday’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game in Houghton at Sherman Field (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

HOUGHTON – One of the goals for 25th-ranked Ferris has been to make its first trip to the playoffs since 1996.

That dream took a severe hit on Saturday as the Bulldogs suffered a 21-7 upset Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football loss to Michigan Tech at Sherman Field in the Upper Peninsula. The loss dips Ferris’ record to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the league. Grand Valley State, which should move up to No. 1 in the nation in both major Division II polls following a loss by top-ranked Valdosta State on Thursday (27-24 to Delta State), is the clear league frontrunner – particularly after back-to-back dominating wins.

But, the GLIAC’s No. 2 spot (which possibly translates into a team that might join the Lakers in the playoffs) remains up for grabs. Now with two losses, Ferris’ margin for error is beginning to shrink. With two defeats, the Bulldogs still have a legitimate shot at a berth in the playoffs, but a third loss could be devastating to those dreams.

“Coming into this game we knew that we controlled our own destiny if we would have continued to win games,” said Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce, whose team next is on the road at Indianapolis in a night game at Key Stadium this coming Saturday at 6 p.m. “Now, who knows what can happen. The thing we have to do is continue to work hard and continue to get better and continue to win. That is what we have to focus on … the things we can control.”

Indianapolis is coming off a 27-23 league win over Northwood on Saturday. The Greyhounds are 3-3 overall and 2-3 in the GLIAC.

Ferris, Hillsdale, Michigan Tech, Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State are all tied for third in the conference at 3-2. Ashland is second at 4-1 and Grand Valley is the league leader at 5-0.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com