FERRIS FOOTBALL SPRING SEASON BEGINS MARCH 28

Bulldogs To Play Annual Grimson and Gold Spring Game on April 21

The Ferris State University football team will conduct its first of 15 NCAA-mandated spring football practices for the 2006 season starting this Tuesday (March 28) over a four-week period.

Ferris' 15 spring practices will conclude with the annual Crimson and Gold Spring Game, which is set for Friday, April 21. Opening kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (EDT) at FSU's Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Mich.

The Bulldogs will also hold a pair of scrimmages on Saturday, April 8, at 11 a.m. (EDT) and Friday, April 14, at 11 a.m. (EDT). All practices are open to the public and fans are welcome to attend.

“We're anxious to get going and see how much we've progressed as a football team,” said head coach Jeff Pierce, who starts 12th year at Ferris State this fall. “This (spring practice) is really a good opportunity for us to take a look at a number of young players who were redshirted last year, but also to see how our experienced guys are going to step up and contribute this fall.

"I enjoy spring drills because it allows me an opportunity to teach particular techniques and evaluate our players," added Pierce.

The Bulldogs will have over 80 student-athletes taking part in spring ball as the drills continue to serve a key part in the team’s preparation for the upcoming gridiron campaign. Ferris returns 43 letterwinners from last season, which includes seven starters on offense and 10 on defense along with both regulars at the punter and placekicking positions.

Middle linebacker Mike Klobucher has been the Bulldogs' leading tackler the past two seasons, which includes a team-best 109 stops last fall.

The Bulldogs are led by returning 2005 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Honorable Mention selections in senior quarterback Ryan Kaul (Clarkston), senior cornerback Jim Skodak (Corunna), senior middle linebacker Mike Klobucher (Grand Haven/North Muskegon), and sophomore defensive tackle Jake Visser (Coopersville).

FSU will conduct practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of each week in late March and April from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (ET) on the South Campus practice grass fields and will move to Top Taggart Field if wet field conditions exist.

"We made significant strength and conditioning gains over the winter," said Pierce, the program's all-time winningest coach. "I'm excited about the (positive) attitudes our players have and look forward to their efforts carrying over to the football field this spring."

Ferris State will kickoff its 98th season of varsity competition Saturday, Sept. 2, with a non-conference matchup against Kentucky State in Frankfort, Ky. The Bulldogs will play an 11-game regular-season schedule, highlighted by their home opener Saturday, Sept. 16, versus Saginaw Valley State at Top Taggart Field. A 7 p.m. (EDT) start time is scheduled for the GLIAC contest.

Ferris State Football

2006 Spring Practice Schedule

Practice #1 - Tuesday, March 28, 3:30 p.m. (Non-pads)
Practice #2 - Thursday, March 30, 3:30 p.m. (Non-pads)
Practice #3 - Friday, March 31, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #4 - Saturday, April 1, 11 a.m.
Practice #5 - Tuesday, April 4, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #6 - Thursday, April 6, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #7 - Friday, April 7, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #8 - Saturday, April 8, 8:30 a.m. (Scrimmage at Top Taggart Field)
Practice #9 - Tuesday, April 11, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #10 - Thursday, April 13, 8:30 a.m.
Practice #11 - Thursday, April 13, 3 p.m.
Practice #12 - Friday, April 14, 11 a.m. (Scrimmage at Top Taggart Field)
Practice #13 - Tuesday, April 18, 3:30 p.m.
Practice #14 - Thursday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. (Non-pads)
Practice #15 - Friday, April 21, 6 p.m. (Crimson and Gold Spring Game)
NOTE -- All Eastern (ET) start times and locations are subject to change.