September 25, 1999
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Northwood at Ferris State September 25, 1999 |
The Game: The Ferris State University football team, which is presently in the midst a two-game winning streak, will entertain the Northwood University Timberwolves this Saturday (Sept. 25) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action at Big Rapids, Mich.
Kickoff/Stadium: 1:30 p.m. (EDT)/Top Taggart Field (9,100).
Radio Coverage: This Saturday’s game against Northwood can be heard live on WBRN-AM (1460) – Big Rapids. John Smith will call the play-by-play with Jason Edwards providing color commentary. The pregame show begins at 1:10 p.m. (EDT) with a 1:30 p.m. (EDT) start time scheduled.
The Records: Ferris State improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC following a 56-14 conference victory over Findlay last Saturday (Sept. 18) in FSU’s home opener at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Mich. FSU compiled a 3-2 home mark and was 2-4 in away contests last year. Last season, Ferris posted a 5-6 overall record and finished tied for sixth place in the GLIAC standings with a 5-5 mark. The Bulldogs were 3-7 both overall and in the conference in 1997. Prior to two seasons ago, FSU had won an unprecedented five consecutive GLIAC titles (1992-96).
Northwood is 2-0 both overall and in the GLIAC after posting a 45-14 conference home triumph over Westminster last Saturday (Sept. 18) at NU’s Louis B. Juillerat Stadium in Midland, Mich. Last season, the Timberwolves were 7-3 both overall and in the GLIAC (fourth-place tie). NU compiled a 3-2 road mark and was 4-1 at home a season ago.
The Coaches: Ferris State – Jeff Pierce (Ferris State, 1979), 5th season, 32-17-0 (.653) — (3-1-0 vs. Northwood); Northwood – Pat Riepma (Hillsdale, 1983), 7th season, 25-37-2 (.406) — (1-5-0 vs. Ferris State).
Pierce, the 1995 GLIAC Coach-of-the-Year, had served 12 years as a Bulldog assistant coach prior to being named head coach in 1995. He spent seven years as Ferris’ defensive coordinator.
The Series: Northwood holds a 13-12-0 series edge in the series, which began during the 1972 season (10/28) with a 20-3 FSU home victory. The Bulldogs have won 10 of the last 12 contests, including six of the last seven meetings. In the last outing at Ferris, (10/12/96), the Bulldogs claimed a 40-24 homecoming decision over the Timberwolves. Last season, NU registered a 35-21 win (9/26) at Midland en route to snapping FSU’s six-game series winning streak. Ferris is 5-6-0 at home and 7-7-0 on the road vs. the Timberwolves.
Last Meeting – 1998: Ferris State suffered a 35-21 road loss to Northwood despite accumulating 413 yards in total offense. NU quarterback Shandron “Sleepie” Tollie ran for a pair of one-yard TD’s and passed for another as the Timberwolves posted 427 total offensive yards. NU took a 7-0 first-quarter lead before the Bulldogs tied the game on quarterback Matt McCarthy’s eight-yard scoring pass to flanker Neal Mozdzierz at 4:49. However, the Timberwolves countered with four seconds left in the opening quarter to take a 14-7 advantage. NU then increased its lead to 21-7 on wingback Dewayne Jones’ second TD, but Ferris sliced the deficit to 21-14 on tailback Andre Jones’ 14-yard TD run at the 6:23 mark. Following a 21-14 halftime lead, the hosts went back up 28-14 with under nine minutes left in the third quarter on a four-yard TD run. But, the Bulldogs rallied minutes later in the quarter as McCarthy sneaked into the end zone from two yards out with 5:36 on the scoreboard to get FSU within 28-21. Tollie, who passed for 104 yards while rushing for a 150-yard total, spoiled any hopes of a Bulldog comeback by accounting for the fourth quarter’s lone points on a one-yard TD run with 1:44 remaining in the contest. McCarthy was 14-of-22 in passing for 286 yards while tailback Mo Harris’ 109 yards rushing paced the Bulldog ground attack. In receiving, split end Clarence Coleman had four receptions for 156 yards. Middle linebacker Sean McLafferty had 17 tackles while outside linebacker Charles Anderson and free safety Jaimare Robinson notched 16 and 13 stops, respectively.
Northwood Football – 1999: The Timberwolves feature one of the nation’s top offenses as NU is ranked eighth nationally in scoring (43.0 ppg.), 11th in rushing (256.0 ypg.), and 25th in total offense (421.5 ypg.). Sophomore quarterback Shandron “Sleepie” Tollie (16-28, 331 yds, 2 TD’s) directs the offense, which features sophomore split end Ron Hunter (7-201, 1 TD). Sophomore cornerback Matt Jackson (5-155) is seventh among this week’s national kickoff return leaders (31.0 avg).
FSU’s Last Game: Ferris State exploded for 49 unanswered points in the last three quarters of last Saturday (Sept. 11) night’s home opener to claim a 56-14 win over Findlay before a Top Taggart Field crowd of 4,618. Ferris overcame a 7-0 deficit with 11:30 left in the first half when freshman tailback Mike Collins (Rochester Hills/Rochester) scored his first of four TD’s on a five-yard run. Collins then tallied on a one-yard TD plunge at the 6:41 mark to put the Bulldogs up for good. Senior quarterback Matt McCarthy (Alma), who threw for 300 yards and two TD’s on 23-of-42 passing, hooked up with sophomore split end Clarence Coleman (Miami, Fla./Miramar) on a 32-yard pass play for another TD (21-7) and then tallied again two minutes later as senior flanker Neal Mozdzierz (Royal Oak/Kimball) caught a 29-yard TD pass from McCarthy to give the hosts a 28-7 halftime advantage. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 28 points (35-7) on Coleman’s 90-yard TD punt return with 1:15 left to go in the third quarter before Collins scored twice in the fourth quarter on TD runs of 71 and 33 yards, respectively as Ferris stretched its lead (49-7) with 6:27 remaining in the game. Following an Oilers’ TD, junior fullback J.L. Holdsworth (Big Rapids) dashed 67 yards to paydirt on his only carry of the contest. FSU gained 590 yards in total offense while UF was held to 29 rushing yards. Individually, Collins rushed for a game-high 121 yards while senior tailback Mo Harris (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough) had 112 yards. Mozdzierz’s 11 catches for 156 yards led all receivers. Defensively, senior end Jeff Puffer (Manton) posted a game-best 10 tackles while junior outside linebacker Rob Ridling (Sault Ste. Marie/Sault Area) had nine stops.
Last Week’s GLIAC Results
at Ferris State 56, Findlay 14*
This Week’s GLIAC Games
Northwood at Ferris State*, 1:30 p.m.
All times are Eastern *GLIAC Game
FSU in This Week’s GLIAC Team Statistical Rankings
Scoring Offense: 1st 49.0 ppg.
FSU in This Week’s GLIAC Individual Statistical Rankings
Bulldogs at Home: Ferris State is 58-42-2 (.578) at Top Taggart Field since 1980 and sports a 45-31-2 (.589) conference home mark during that span. The Bulldogs are 37-15-2 (.704) overall this decade, which includes a 32-12-2 (.717) league record.
Up Next: Ferris State is on the road in its next two conference outings as the Bulldogs battle the Northern Michigan University Wildcats Saturday, Oct. 2, at NMU’s Superior Dome in Marquette, Mich. Following that tilt, FSU squares off against the Wayne State University Tartars Saturday, Oct. 9, at Wayne State Stadium in Detroit, Mich.
Bulldogs of the Week: Following each game, individual players will be recognized by the FSU coaching staff for their outstanding performance. Individual(s) will be selected on offense, defense, specialty teams, and for extraordinary effort (every player, ever play).
Sept. 2 North Dakota State
Sept. 11 Saginaw Valley State
Sept. 18 Findlay
1999 GLIAC Standings
Northwood (2-0) 2-0
Michigan Tech (3-0) 3-0
Indianapolis (3-0) 2-0
Ferris State (2-1) 2-0
Mercyhurst (2-1) 1-1
Hillsdale (2-1) 1-1
Findlay (1-1) 1-1
Ashland (1-1) 1-1
Saginaw Valley (1-2) 1-1
Wayne State (0-3) 0-3
Grand Valley (0-3) 0-2
Westminster (0-3) 0-3
Northern Mich. (0-2) 0-1
at Northwood 45, Westminster 14*
Saginaw Valley State 45, at Wayne State 33*
at Mercyhurst 34, Edinboro (Pa.) 20
Michigan Tech 31, at Hillsdale 7*
Indianapolis 30, at Grand Valley State 14*
Ashland 14, at Northern Michigan 10*
Northern Michigan at Saginaw Valley State*, 12 p.m.
Grand Valley State at Findlay*, 1:30 p.m.
Hillsdale at Westminster*, 1:30 p.m.
Indianapolis at Mercyhurst*, 1:30 p.m.
Wayne State at Ashland*, 7 p.m.
Scoring Defense: 8th 27.7 ppg.
Pass Offense: 2nd 285.7 ypg.
Pass Defense: 6th 185.3 ypg
Kickoff Returns: 4th 23.0 ypr.
Punting: 8th 32.0 ypp.
Turnover Margin: 11thT -1.00 tpg.
Rushing Offense: 2nd 252.7 ypg.
Rushing Defense: 4th 103.3 ypg.
Total Offense: 1st 538.3 ypg.
Total Defense: 4th 288.7 ypg.
Punt Returns: 2nd 17.2 ypr.
Pass Efficiency: 4th 129.3 rating pts.
Pass Efficiency Defense: 6th 116.4 rating pts.
Field Goals: 10thT .000 (0-1)
Time of Possession: 8th 27:15
Bulldog Bites: Among this week’s NCAA Division II national statistical leaders, Ferris State ranks first in total offense (538.3 ypg.), second in scoring offense (49.0 ppg.), 11th in pass offense (285.7 ypg.), and 13th in rushing offense (252.7 ypg.) . . . Freshman tailback Mike Collins, who’s tied for ninth nationally in scoring offense (14.0 ppg.), has totaled seven TD’s in the last two Bulldog contests . . . FSU’s top two receivers this season, senior flanker Neal Mozdzierz and sophomore split end Clarence Coleman, have combined for 68.1% of the team’s receiving total this campaign. Nationally, Mozdzierz is tied for fourth in pass receptions (8.7 rpg.) and Coleman ranks in a 13th-place tie (7.0 rpg.) . . . Since 1995, FSU is 30-10 (.750) when scoring 20 or more points in a contest and 2-7 (.222) when held to 19 points or less in an outing . . . Senior quarterback Matt McCarthy threw for 300 yards against Findlay, marking his eighth career 300-yard passing performance. McCarthy had five such performances a season ago, including a career-best 415 yards against Grand Valley State (11/14) . . . The Bulldogs have outscored the opposition 63-14 in the second quarter, representing a difference of 49 points . . . Ferris is averaging 257.3 yards rushing per game, which constitutes 47.6% of the team’s total offensive output.
