December 13, 2025
Defying expectations: Ferris State football team heading back to NCAA DII National Championship game even after losing key players
The Ferris State University football team is headed back to the NCAA Division II National Championship game, though head coach Tony Annese said that’s not what he expected at the start of the season.
“No chance did I think that was going to happen,” Annese said in the postgame press conference on Saturday, reflecting on his state of mind after losing key players through the transfer portal, including quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, now a star at University of Mississippi.
“You know, after that it was probably, in my coaching profession, it was probably the moment I was most down,” he said. “Not because I didn't understand why they left. But you establish good relationships with young people, and then all of a sudden, they're gone. That's heartbreaking, you know. That hurts.”
The Bulldogs dominated Newberry College 49-17 in the quarterfinals, extending a school record winning streak to 29 victories in a row. Ferris State has been ranked No. 1 since the first preseason poll, and is now headed to McKinney, Texas to defend the team’s national title on Dec. 20.
The Saturday game was played with temperatures in single digits and frigid wind.
“I can’t tell you exactly how many games I’ve coached in my career, but probably about 430, and those are the worst conditions I've ever met,” Annese said. “You know I've never coached in a game that was that cold. So, so, all in all, huge, huge win.”
Ferris State jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, but Newberry clawed back to make it 21-17 early in the second quarter.
“Give Newbery a lot of credit.” Annese said. “I thought they did a lot of miraculous things and had a great year. All of a sudden, we go up, and then they're coming back at us, and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, is this a real deal? I mean, are they going to be the cardiac kids?’ But you know, we had some key turnovers, interceptions and opportunities.”
Tarick Bower (#13) celebrating with Tim Anderson (#72).
Ferris State’s defense prevented Newberry from scoring in the last two quarters with the offense adding 28 points to finish 49-17. The Bulldogs topped a school single-season record by recording their 30th interception of the year and Justin Payoute broke the single-season individual mark with his eighth and ninth picks of the campaign.
“You always want to achieve,” Annese said. “Everybody wants to win stuff. And just to think, when we got together in August, we were going to be going back to Texas again.”
Annese said he is reminded of his past three national championships, with large team photos in Ferris State’s athletic complex, and the eight players who left to transfer to Division I schools.
He still hears from Chambliss, who just named SEC newcomer of the year while leading Ole Miss to an 11-1 season. Chambliss has been in the conversation as a potential Heisman Trophy finalist and was even the subject of an AT+T ad.
“It's funny,” Annese said. “I walked through the hallway where we have all the national championship pictures. And I look at one, and there's three faces that pop up that are playing somewhere else. They were all smiles. I always just say it's moments in time. They had probably one of the best moments they've ever had in life, being right there. And I don't know how happy they are now. I know Trinidad is really happy, and we're all happy for him. But you know, it's tough when you jump in that portal thinking, ‘Oh, I've got great opportunities.’ And then, I would say that two of them made the best of it. The other six probably said, ‘Dang, I could be playing at Ferris State right now.”
Jake Price (right) celebrating one of his three rushing touchdowns against Newberry.
Annese said his coach staff remained positive after the players left, praising the character of the players who stayed. Some, like quarterback Carson Gulker, overcame devastating injuries to be a key player this season. Gulker paced Ferris State on Saturday with a game-high 115 yards rushing on 17 carries and he completed both of his passes for 49 yards and a score.”
“It's hard, but it that just an indication of how resilient they are, how gritty they are,” Annese said. “It just goes to show you. I guess you always believe in a Dog, right? Believe in the Dogs because the Dogs are gritty and they're fighting to be the best.”