July 27, 0226
Hungry and motivated: Ferris State head coach Tony Annese praises Bulldogs' work ethic, focused mindset with 2026 season on the horizon
The Ferris State University football team has won four of the last five NCAA DII national championships and is riding a 30-game winning streak. Head coach Tony Annese said that success is fueling another championship pursuit.
Annese said the team has returned with a familiar drive that helped it secure back-to-back national titles in 2024 and 2025.
"It's an exciting time. Obviously, football is America's game, and we all love that fall football season is almost here," Annese said at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Media Day in Grand Rapids. "I'm amazed by our guys. They appreciate what they have accomplished, but they quickly put it behind them and are already chasing what's next."
The Bulldogs are the favorites to continue that run Ferris State was picked first in the GLIAC preseason poll with seven of eight first-place votes .
"We got back from McKinney, had a little time off for Christmas, and then Jan. 12 our guys rolled back onto campus ready to go," said Annese, whose team finished 16-0 and defeated Harding 42-21 in December's national championship game at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. "From that first day, they attacked the offseason, getting themselves as ready as possible for spring practice and now this fall."
The Bulldogs also enter the season ranked No. 1 in the 2026 Lindy's Sports Division II preseason poll. Their first test comes immediately, as Ferris State opens the season Thursday, Aug. 27, at nationally ranked Pittsburg State University in Kansas in a matchup of preseason top 10 teams. Pittsburg State was the last team to beat the Bulldogs, winning the opener of the 2024 season.
Annese believes the Bulldogs have positioned themselves for another successful season through their commitment during the offseason.
"It's a credit to them and their determination," Annese said. "This has probably been the best offseason we've had in a long time. That's exciting because now we get to see that work translate onto the field."
Senior defensive end Tim Allen, a Coopersville native, said the program's expectations never change regardless of past accomplishments.
"We've put in the work to have the success we've had, but we know it's going to take even more work to stay there," said Allen, who had 72 total tackles with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2025. "Being here for Media Day and knowing the season is coming up fast only adds to our motivation to be ready for the opponents we're going to face."
Allen said the weight room was packed when players returned from Christmas break in January, with Bulldogs eager to begin preparing for another championship run.
Standout slot receiver and return specialist Taariik Brett, a Jonesboro, Georgia, native, said excitement continues to build with kickoff six weeks away.
"I'm looking forward to competing in this conference and against the outstanding teams we'll face in our non-conference schedule," said Brett, who has four national championship rings.