FERRIS STATE FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES 2004 SCHEDULE

Contests Against Nation’s Top Two 2003 Teams Highlights 11-Game Schedule

Senior defensive end John Hazle and the Ferris State Bulldogs will host their conference archrivals Grand Valley State August 28 in the 2004 gridiron campaign opener.

The 2004 season opener against the two-time defending NCAA Division II National Champions Grand Valley State and a non-conference contest at 2003 NCAA-II National runner-up North Dakota highlight the 2004 Ferris State University football schedule as announced today by FSU Athletics Director Tom Kirinovic.

“This obviously is one of the toughest schedules we’ve ever faced considering three of this year’s opponents finished last season ranked among the top four teams in the country,” said Ferris State head coach Jeff Pierce, who begins his 10th year at FSU this fall. “Going up against Grand Valley State in the opener will give us a good idea where we’re at competitively. With our returning veterans and the progress made by our younger players, we’re excited for that challenge.”

The 11-game slate features five home dates, including both the regular-season opener and finale against a pair of nationally-ranked Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) teams. Ferris State begins its 96th year of varsity competition with the season opener against conference archrival Grand Valley State Saturday, Aug. 28. Opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (EDT) at FSU’s Top Taggart Field. Prior to the contest, the Ferris Football Frenzy event will be held starting at 3 p.m. (EDT) with the traditional Fireworks Night festivities to take place following the game’s conclusion. The winner of the game will be presented with the third annual Anchor Bone Trophy, which is sponsored by Huntington Bank.

FSU will then play three of its next four conference contests on the road, starting with a visit to Ashland Sept.4 in a 7 p.m. (EDT) matchup before returning home a week later (Sept. 11) to face Hillsdale in a 7 p.m. (EDT) Community Night contest. The Bulldogs then compete in back-to-back away encounters at Indianapolis (Sept. 18) and at Mercyhurst (Sept. 25). Start times are 2 p.m. (EDT) and 1:30 p.m. (EDT), respectively.

The fifth annual FSU Bulldog Hall of Fame Game will take place Oct. 2 against Findlay at 7 p.m. (EDT) before the Bulldogs battle the 2003 NCAA-II National Champion runner-up and North Central Conference (NCC) Champions North Dakota Fighting Sioux Oct. 9 in what will be the first-ever meeting between the teams. The non-league encounter, which is scheduled for a 2 p.m. (EDT) start, is the first of a two-year agreement as Ferris will venture to Grand Forks, N.D. again in 2005. The remainder of this season’s upcoming schedule includes an evening road date versus Northern Michigan (Oct. 16) and an afternoon away outing at Northwood (Oct. 30). The Bulldogs’ 78th annual Homecoming Game on Oct. 23 will feature Michigan Tech as the opposition in what marks the Huskies’ third such appearance in the last four seasons.

Following the Northwood contest, Ferris State will conclude its regular season Nov. 6 hosting the 2003 GLIAC Champions and NCAA-II Northeast Region Semifinalist Saginaw Valley State Cardinals in a 1 p.m. (EST) clash.

As a result of an unbalanced schedule, FSU won’t be competing against either Wayne State or Gannon this fall. Gannon officially becomes a GLIAC football-playing member this season after competing as an independent. With the NCAA expanding the postseason tournament field from 16 to 24 teams (six teams per region), the playoff’s opening round will take place the second weekend in November which prompted the start of the gridiron campaign in August. The GLIAC teams will also be realigned regionally in going to the Midwest Region from the Northeast Region this fall to maintain a balance of schools in each region.

“The new format allows more opportunities for teams to get into postseason play,” said Pierce. “Every team will now have to start their fall practice schedule earlier but the tradeoff has a lot of merit and we still are going to take the one week at a time approach. “Getting through this grueling schedule in one of the nation’s top conferences will prepare us for our goal of receiving a NCAA Tournament bid,” added Pierce.

The Bulldogs are a combined 121-135-14 (.474 winning pct.) all-time against this season’s opponents. A season ago, FSU’s 2004 opposition compiled a 75-54 (.581) record. Ferris State registered a 6-5 overall record in 2003, which included a fourth-place tying 5-5 mark. The Bulldogs were 3-2 at home and 3-3 in road games last fall.

For single-game ticket information, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888 or charge by phone at 1-800-585-3737 via Star Tickets Plus. Tickets will go on sale around July 1 and also be available for purchase online at www.starticketsplus.com.

2004 Ferris State Football Schedule

Aug. 28 Grand Valley State* (Ferris Football Frenzy/Fireworks Night), 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Ashland*, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 Hillsdale* (Community Night), 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Indianapolis*, 2 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Mercyhurst*, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Findlay* (Hall of Fame), 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at North Dakota, 2 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Northern Michigan*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 Michigan Tech* (Homecoming), 2 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Northwood*, 12 p.m.
Nov. 6 Saginaw Valley State* (Youth/Senior Day), 1 p.m.

All times are Eastern; *Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) game
All home games are in bold and will be played at Top Taggart Field