BLOG 45: Ferris falls from national rankings, but don’t sweat it

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s David Freeman (3) tries to break free of a pair of Northern Michigan tacklers during Saturday afternoon’s game at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Many fans of Ferris were probably disappointed to see the Bulldogs fall out of the national Division II football rankings following last weekend’s 31-13 loss in Allendale at No. 2 Grand Valley State.

Coming into last week’s game, head coach Jeff Pierce’s Bulldogs were ranked No. 24 in the nation but that 18-point loss dropped Ferris just outside the top 25. Of the “Others Receiving Votes,” Ferris had the most votes at 32 which would in essence have them ranked 26th nationally. Pierce’s Bulldogs were one of four teams to drop from the national rankings in the Sept. 23 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll.

National rankings are nice. But, in the end, continued success will take care of poll position when everything is said, done and written. The Bulldogs have a big game coming up in its next game as it travels to Houghton, in the Upper Peninsula, to face Michigan Tech at Sherman Field. The Huskies dropped a decisive decision in Allendale to Grand Valley on Saturday and no doubt will be looking for a bounce-back effort as the Bulldogs make the long trip to the U.P.

Ferris (4-1 overall and 3-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) has to continue to worry less about national rankings and keep their focus on taking care of business. If the Bulldogs continue to take care of business then the national rankings will take care of themselves.

It will be homecoming weekend in Houghton for Michigan Tech, a team coming off a 52-6 loss to Grand Valley State on Saturday (Sept. 27).

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