OT: Division 2 football update:Ferri, GVSU, Slippery Rock, and UMD.
The important action happens in East Lansing on Saturday, but for those who can't get enough football, and for those with some interest in smaller schools, the NCAA division 2 season is moving right along and there's some fun stuff going on.
The big news this week was the massive clash between national #2 ranked Grand Valley State and #3 Ferris State in exurban Grand Rapids. Ferris State won a thriller, 35-31, on a 31-yard throwback TD pass with 3:11 remaining in the game. The win puts Ferris State in pole position for a top seed in Super Region 3, which means a first-round playoff bye.
In Super Region 1, our old friend Slippery Rock is cruising at 6-1 and have a good chance to get another playoff bid, buoyed by a huge win over Indiana University (PA).
And, local (and important only) to me, UMD survived a broken ankle to starting QB John Larson and is currently undefeated, with Winona being the last realistic obstacle to a perfect regular season. That means a home playoff game or two, which is a blast this far north.
Might not home field in the biggest game, though, since UMD is in the same region as national #1 ranked Minnesota State (Mankato).
October 17th, 2018 at 12:50 AM ^
Go Bulldogs!
October 17th, 2018 at 1:06 AM ^
Didn't you mean to title the OP " Ferri, GVU, lippery Rock, and UMD" ?
October 17th, 2018 at 1:48 AM ^
God forbid, but Notre Dame could theoretically win both the CFP and the D-2 National Title.
Personally, I'm picking the Orediggers to win it all.
October 17th, 2018 at 5:32 AM ^
looks like that gvsu v. fsu game was a dandy. i have installed that same play that got their winning
TD with some of my sons' offenses. we simply call it 'razzle-dazzle' right or left. it is a dandy.
October 17th, 2018 at 7:21 AM ^
Can someone explain the significance of Slippery Rock? I’ve heard the cheers in the Stadium when that particular score is announced and the general love for Slippery Rock but never understood its affilliation with, or at least admiration from, Michigan.
October 17th, 2018 at 7:50 AM ^
I believe it goes back to the late 1950s when Steve FIlipiak - the PA announcer for Michigan at the time - began to read scores off the wires, and as I recall, his only real reason for latching onto Slippery Rock was because he liked the name. A strange start for a tradition perhaps, but at every game I've been to, I've always cheered when Slippery Rock triumphed.
October 17th, 2018 at 7:55 AM ^
No affiliation, no real connection. You can read the story here. Slippery Rock has actually played three games in Michigan Stadium just for fun.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:24 AM ^
Although Slippery Rock is a funny name for a football team, the name back in the day was actually Slippery Rock State Teachers College of Pennsylvania - which is quite a name for a football team and why it really caught on. Surprised that the article didn't mention that.
October 17th, 2018 at 7:54 AM ^
GVSU lays another egg. What's new? Tony Annese is Matt Mitchell's father.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:37 AM ^
And Matt Mitchell's father-in-law is Tim Selgo, former GVSU AD...
October 17th, 2018 at 8:00 AM ^
I’m glad that Jayru Campbell is making the most of his second chance. He is balling for Ferris.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:18 AM ^
David Dawson plays for GVSU.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:54 AM ^
Everything I've heard about Jayru has been positive. He has been 100% clean since his last arrest and was a team leader at Garden City and Ferris. D1 schools showed interest but were ultimately deterred by his past arrest especially with the DV in his record.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:18 AM ^
Just a point of clarification: to some of us, UMD means the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Yes, I know, we don't have a varsity Football team. Just sayin'.....
October 17th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
By context I'm going to assume UMD is Minnesota-Duluth
October 17th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Time for SVSU to take down the Bulldogs. GO CARDS!
October 17th, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Surprised not to see any mention of Rutger in this post.
October 17th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
Also, you can add the best D2 college in Michigan (Hillsdale) is 6-1 with their only loss coming in OT at Michigan Tech earlier this year. They have a showdown coming with Tiffin in a few weeks.