BLOG 68: It wasn’t pretty, but Bulldogs escape with win over Northwood

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State football players Jeff Hollandsworth (5) and Rob Evenboer (40) make a tackle during Saturday’s game in Big Rapids (Photo/Scott Whitney)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris has not been a team to win by blowouts this fall as all six wins have been hard fought – with several coming down to the end.

Saturday’s game proved no different for the Bulldogs. Junior quarterback Kyle Parrish completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mike Ryan, with 28 seconds to go in the game, as the Bulldogs broke a 13-13 tie and hung on for a 19-13 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win at Top Taggart Field.

The cardiac Bulldogs who have put their fans through this from time to time, somehow, found a way to get it done. Ferris has not always made it look pretty this season, but more often than not the team has been able to get the job done. This win was particularly important for the Bulldogs who wanted to erase memories of last week’s heartbreaking 19-0 loss to Wayne State during homecoming festivities.

“It was a good win for the team and it was another one of those cliffhangers we keep finding ourselves in,” head coach Jeff Pierce said as his Bulldogs improved to 6-3 overall and 5-3 in the league. “I really give our kids a lot of credit for coming out and playing hard for 60 minutes.”

The game-winning connection between Parrish and Ryan, which stunned Northwood, easily proved to be the play of the game.

Parrish split quarterback duties with Tom Schneider. Schneider started and played efficiently in the first half while Parrish entered after halftime and finished up. Pierce credited both quarterbacks for solid efforts on Saturday and rightfully so.

“There are a couple of different options we can run depending on the defense that they’re in,” said Pierce, whose team now goes on the road to face Hillsdale College at Muddy Waters Stadium in Hillsdale. “Kyle did a good job of getting the ball out there and Mike Ryan did a nice job making a great move and getting open and then getting (into the end zone).”

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