The Game: The Ferris State University football team, which remains presently in a two-way tie for first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), has won four games in a row entering this Saturday’s (Oct. 9) league encounter with the Wayne State University Warriors in Detroit, Mich.

Kickoff/Stadium: 1 p.m. (EDT)/Wayne State Stadium (6,000).

Radio Coverage: This Saturday’s game at Wayne State can be heard live on WBRN-AM (1460) – Big Rapids. John Smith will provide the play-by-play and Al Brandau will assist with color commentary. The pregame show starts at 12:40 p.m. (EDT) with opening kickoff at 1 p.m.

The Records: Ferris State improved to 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the GLIAC as the Bulldogs continued their winning ways with a 45-27 league road triumph over Northern Michigan last Saturday (Oct. 2) at NMU’s Superior Dome in Marquette, Mich. FSU is 2-1 in away outings this season after going 2-4 in such contests last year. Last season, Ferris posted a 5-6 overall record and was 5-5 (sixth-place tie) in the GLIAC. 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).

Wayne State is presently 0-5 both overall and in the GLIAC as a result of suffering a 27-24 road conference setback to Northwood last Saturday (Oct. 2) at NU’s Louis B. Juillerat Stadium in Midland, Mich. The Warriors were 2-9 overall last season, including a 2-8 mark (12th-place tie) in the GLIAC. WSU is 0-2 in home encounters this fall after compiling a 1-4 home ledger last year.

The Coaches: Ferris State – Jeff Pierce (Ferris State, 1979), 5th season, 34-17-0 (.667) — (3-1-0 vs. Wayne State); Wayne State – Barry Fagan (Penn State, 1978), 3rd season, 5-22-0 (.185) — (1-1-0 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: Wayne State holds a 19-18-0 series edge over Ferris State in a series which commenced during the 1920 season. In the initial series meeting, WSU posted a 48-0 home victory over the Bulldogs. Last season (10/10), Ferris claimed a 37-13 homecoming win over WSU after suffering a 30-26 loss to the Warriors the season prior (10/4/97). Prior to that, FSU posted a 26-7 road win in Detroit (10/5/96) and notched a 39-30 homecoming triumph in 1995 (10/14) at Big Rapids. The Bulldogs, who are 11-10-0 on the road and 7-9-0 at home against WSU, have won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams.

Last Meeting – 1998: Ferris State, behind quarterback Matt McCarthy’s 345 yards in passing and kicker Doc Proctor’s three field goals, recorded a 37-13 homecoming victory over Wayne State in Big Rapids. McCarthy, who completed 29 passes on 49 attempts, had three TD tosses – two to split end Brian Busen. A 39-yard TD completion to Busen from McCarthy and a three-yard TD scamper by tailback Mo Harris gave FSU a 14-10 lead after 15 minutes of play. WSU narrowed the gap on a 35-yard field goal with 11:29 remaining before halftime, but Ferris countered less than three minutes later as Proctor kicked a 23-yard field goal at 8:56 to close out the first-half scoring as the hosts led 17-13. FSU controlled the second half by holding the Warriors scoreless while the Bulldogs tallied 10 points each in the last two quarters. Ferris extended its lead to 24-13 at the third quarter’s 13:01 mark when McCarthy hit Busen on a 20-yard TD pass play. Proctor then connected on two straight field goals – a 25-yarder with 1:17 left in the quarter and a 47-yarder at 9:59 of the fourth quarter. Leading 30-13, FSU concluded the game’s scoring with 6:56 remaining as McCarthy completed a 10-yard TD pass to flanker Neal Mozdzierz, who caught a game-high 11 passes for 107 yards. Ferris generated 424 yards in total offense, including 345 passing yards while holding the Warriors to 74 yards passing and 200 yards in total offense. Harris finished with 75 yards rushing while Busen had seven receptions for 118 yards and split end Clarence Coleman caught six passes for 76 yards. Besides his three field goals, Proctor punted twice for 101 yards. Middle linebacker Sean McLafferty paced the defense with 14 tackles while cornerback Kelly Snell had two interceptions.

Wayne State Football – 1999: The Warriors are under the direction of head coach Barry Fagan, a former assistant at Ferris (1988-95). WSU is averaging 331.2 yards in total offense while allowing 463.8 yards per game. Directing the offense is sophomore quarterback Jason Charron (86-190, 904 yds., 9 TD’s). Sophomore flanker Pierre Brown is the team’s top receiver with 20 catches for 349 yards and seven TD’s.

FSU’s Last Game: FSU’s 28-point second-half output was the difference as the Bulldogs garnered a 45-27 league road victory over Northern Michigan last Saturday (Oct. 2) at Marquette, Mich. Trailing 21-17 with 13:16 remaining in the third quarter following a 61-yard blocked punt return for a NMU TD, Ferris proceeded to reel off 28 unanswered points to take a 45-21 lead with 5:41 left to go in the contest. After the Wildcats’ TD on the punt return, the Bulldog offense kicked into high gear as senior flanker Neal Mozdzierz (Royal Oak/Kimball) was on the receiving end of a 16-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Matt McCarthy (Alma) at the 11:20 mark of the third quarter. FSU then tallied again with :36 remaining in the quarter as freshman tailback Mike Collins’ (Rochester Hills/Rochester) four-yard TD run put the Bulldogs up 31-21 after three quarters. Ferris increased its lead to 38-21 with 14:35 showing on the clock as senior tailback Mo Harris (Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough) dashed 25 yards to paydirt. The McCarthy-Mozdzierz connection hooked up again with 5:41 left in the game to go up 45-21 at that point en route to the victory. A 13-yard TD run by Harris at 10:34 of the first quarter gave Ferris a 7-0 lead and following a NMU TD, the Bulldogs regained the advantage on McCarthy’s six-yard TD pass to sophomore split end Clarence Coleman (Miami, Fla./Miramar) with 2:42 remaining in the quarter. The Wildcats tied the game at 14-apiece at 14:12 of the second quarter on a TD pass play, but FSU struck back with 5:30 left on senior kicker Doc Proctor’s (Big Rapids) 24-yard field goal to claim a 17-14 halftime advantage. The Bulldogs rolled up 485 yards in total offense while NMU posted 396 yards. McCarthy threw for 354 yards and three TD’s on 29-of-45 passing while Mozdzierz and Coleman both had 10 receptions each for 165 and 139 yards, respectively. Harris rushed for a game-high 113 yards and two TD’s while catching seven passes for 39 yards. Sophomore outside linebacker Charlie Pierson (St. Ignace/LaSalle) notched 14 tackles and a 23-yard interception while senior free safety Jaimare Robinson (Detroit/Martin Luther King) along with senior middle linebacker Steve Dillon (Traverse City) had 10 stops apiece. Dillon also recorded a 16-yard pass theft. Junior defensive end Dave Zuiderveen (Kalamazoo/Christian) and senior defensive end Jeff Puffer (Manton) each compiled nine tackles in supporting the defensive effort.

1999 GLIAC Standings

 Michigan Tech 	 4-0(4-0)
 Ferris State	 4-0(4-1)
 Hillsdale 	 3-1(4-1)
 Northwood     	 3-1(3-1)
 Ashland 	 3-1(3-1)
 Mercyhurst 	 2-1(2-1)
 Indianapolis  	 2-2(3-2)
 Findlay 	 2-2(2-2)
 Grand Valley 	 1-2(1-3)
 Northern Mich.  1-2(1-3)
 Saginaw Valley  1-3(1-4)
 Wayne State 	 0-5(0-5)
 Westminster 	 0-5(0-5)
 

Last Week’s GLIAC Results
Ferris State 45, at Northern Michigan 27*
at Northwood 27, Wayne State 24*
at Michigan Tech 35, Saginaw Valley State 33 3OT*
Ashland 24, at Westminster 10*
at Findlay 14, Indianapolis 7*
at Hillsdale 42, Mercyhurst 40*

This Week’s GLIAC Games
Ferris State at Wayne State*, 1 p.m.
Westminster at Saginaw Valley State*, 12 p.m.
Findlay at Northern Michigan*, 1 p.m.
Mercyhurst at Grand Valley State*, 1 p.m.
Michigan Tech at Ashland*, 1:30 p.m.
Northwood at Indianapolis*, 2 p.m.
Gannon at Hillsdale, 2 p.m.

All times are Eastern *GLIAC Game

FSU in This Week’s GLIAC Team Statistical Rankings
Scoring Offense: 1st 47.6 ppg.
Scoring Defense: 10th 29.2 ppg.
Pass Offense: 2nd 302.4 ypg.
Pass Defense: 6th 200.6 ypg
Kickoff Returns: 4th 21.6 ypr.
Punting: 13th 26.9 ypp.
Turnover Margin: 6thT 0.00 tpg.
Rushing Offense: 2nd 240.4 ypg.
Rushing Defense: 9th 168.2 ypg.
Total Offense: 1st 542.8 ypg.
Total Defense: 8th 368.8 ypg.
Punt Returns: 1st 15.9 ypr.
Pass Efficiency: 2nd 145.8 rating pts.
Pass Efficiency Defense: 9th 129.9 rating pts.
Field Goals: 2ndT .500 (2-4)
Time of Possession: 9th 28:12 (141:04)

FSU in This Week’s GLIAC Individual Statistical Rankings
Rushing: 1st Mo Harris, 158.6 ypg.
    6th Mike Collins, 67.6 ypg.
Passing Yards: 2nd Matt McCarthy, 270.4 ypg.
Total Offense: 2nd Matt McCarthy, 265.6 ypg.
    10th Mo Harris, 158.6 ypg.
Receptions: 2nd Neal Mozdzierz, 8.60 rpg.
    3rd Clarence Coleman, 7.40 rpg.
Receiving Yards: 2nd Neal Mozdzierz, 124.2 ypg.
    3rd Clarence Coleman, 116.4 ypg.
All-Purpose Running: 1st Clarence Coleman, 189.4 ypg.
    2nd Mo Harris, 184.4 ypg.
    4th Neal Mozdzierz, 149.8 ypg.
Passing Efficiency: 4th Matt McCarthy, 145.8 rating pts.
Punt Returns: 1st Clarence Coleman, 15.8 ypr.
Kickoff Returns: 9thT Neal Mozdzierz, 19.0 ypr.
Scoring: 2nd Mike Collins, 10.8 ppg.
    3rd Neal Mozdzierz, 10.4 ppg.
    5th Clarence Coleman, 8.4 ppg.
    10th Doc Proctor, 7.2 ppg.
Field Goals: 5thT Doc Proctor, 0.40 fgpg. (2-4)
Tackles: 7thT Rob Ridling, 9.0 avg.
    14th Ryan Morris, 8.4 avg.
    22nd Steve Dillon, 7.2 avg.
    Charlie Pierson, 7.2 avg.
    24th Dave Zuiderveen, 7.0 avg.
    44th Devin Hutchings, 6.0 avg.
    Alvin Grier, 6.0 avg.
Quarterback Sacks: 2nd Dave Zuiderveen, 9 total (-60 yds.)
Tackle For Loss: 1st Dave Zuiderveen, 14 total (-70 yds.)

Proctor Named GLIAC Player-of-the-Week: Senior kicker-punter Doc Proctor has been selected this week’s GLIAC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the Bulldogs’ victory at Northern Michigan last Saturday (10/2). In the contest, Proctor connected on all six of his extra-point conversion attempts while booting a 24-yard field goals. He also had two punts for 98 yards (49.0 avg.), including a long of 51 yards. Proctor received the same honor earlier this season (10/11) at Saginaw Valley State and was honored twice last year.

Bulldog Bites: Ferris State is ranked 19th nationally this week by Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette NCAA-II Top 40 poll after being in 22nd place last week . . . The Bulldogs led the nation this week in total offense (542.8 ypg.) and scoring offense (47.6 ppg.) while ranking fifth in passing offense (302.4 ypg.) and 20th in rushing offense (240.4 ypg.) . . . Junior defensive end Dave Zuiderveen’s 3.5 quarterback sacks (-24 yds.) at Northern Michigan was just one-half shy of equalling the school’s single-game mark of four set by Jim Lenz against St. Francis (10/9/93) . . . Senior quarterback Matt McCarthy’s 345-yard passing effort at NMU was the fourth highest single-game output in his career. He has attained the 300-yard single-game passing mark on eight occasions during his career and is 452 yards away from moving into a tie for second place on the school’s all-time passing charts . . . Senior middle linebacker Steve Dillon’s pass interception for 16 yards in the NMU game represents the first in his career . . . Sophomore outside linebacker Charlie Pierson is averaging 16.0 tackles per game in his last two outings, which includes a career-best 18-tackle output vs. Northwood (9/25) . . . Sophomore outside linebacker Adam Riley (Corunna) will miss the remainder of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

FSU On The Internet: Ferris State University Athletics’ world wide web home page can be accessed through the University’s home page address at http://www.ferris.edu. The football section features a wide variety of Bulldog gridiron information.

Up Next: Ferris State is at home for its next two GLIAC contests, starting Saturday, Oct. 16, as the Bulldogs host the Ashland University Eagles in FSU’s 73rd Homecoming contest. Starting time is slated for 2 p.m. (EDT) at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, 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, every play).