This week on Ferris Sports Update, our host Rob Bentley speaks with the head coach of the football team Tony Annese, and their win against Grand Valley and what it means for them. Next, the head coach of the hockey team Bob Daniels talks about their split weekend against Bemidji State. Lastly, the head coach of the volleyball team Tia Brandel-Wilhelm talks about their past weekend wins and how they are now number two in the nation!
Bulldogs Football Victory
First up to bat is the head coach for the FSU football team Tony Annese. The Ferris State Bulldogs have now jumped to No. 2 nationally after an strong 34-7 victory over their top-ranked rival, Grand Valley State, in front of a sellout crowd at the Anchor-Bone Classic on October 26, 2024. Following their win, Ferris State is now 7-1 overall and leads the GLIAC with a 4-0 record. They are also ranked in the top 10 in the initial NCAA D2 Super Region Three rankings.
Under coach Tony Annese, the Bulldogs have made an impressive record-setting nine consecutive NCAA D2 playoff appearances. Annese described the latest game as a “tooth and nail battle.” He has been incredibly impressed with the team’s defense all season. Other game highlights include quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leading a strong offense with 122 rushing yards, 114 passing yards, and three touchdowns, backed by solid offensive line support. FSU scored twice just before halftime to build a 13-0 lead and quickly answered GVSU’s only touchdown with one of their own. This Saturday (November 2, 2024), they will play Northern Michigan at 1 PM in Marquette’s Superior Dome.
Back-to-Back Bulldog Hockey
Next, we were joined by our hockey team’s head coach Bob Daniels, a coach with the most wins in Ferris State’s history. The Ferris State men’s ice hockey team had back-to-back games with Bemidji State on Friday (October 25) and Saturday (October 26). The team kicked off its CCHA season with a 4-2 victory on Friday at Ewigleben Ice Arena, earning three conference points. The Bulldogs scored four goals from different players, including three who got their first goals of the season. Goalie Noah West made 25 saves for his second win. Nico DeVita opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal, and after Bemidji State tied it, Ferris dominated the second period. The Beavers scored a power play goal in the third but couldn’t close the gap. They ended up with a 3-0 loss to Bemidji State the following day at Ewigleben Ice Arena. Daniels saw the game as “even.” The Bulldogs split the series. Ferris goalie Noah West made 25 saves, and the Bulldogs killed two penalties. The Bulldogs will next face Bowling Green on the road for a two-game series starting
Photo Credits: Paige Williams & Abe Kraus
Bulldog Volleyball Victory Streak
Lastly, Rob has coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm on the show but this time, her team’s win streak extended to 22-0. She tells Rob that the team tends to not focus on the numbers and high-ranking stats. It’s all one game after another for Tia and the Bulldogs.
On October 24th the Bulldogs battled at home against a tough Davenport squad. Coming off a successful mid-season tournament, the team looked like they would continue their good fortune. Brandel-Wilhelm mentioned that the crossover was an important preparation series for confusing postseason play. Against Davenport, the Dawgs played hard and closed the game three sets to none. Every player that was eligible got experience during the match and it gave important insight for Brandel-Wilhelm. It allowed the coaches and players to see what the team was truly capable of.
The Bulldogs played Roosevelt College the next day and added another win to the streak. Brandel-Wilhelm described that there are some true positives to the Roosevelt team with their hitters and blockers. Though Roosevelt hasn’t shown a whole lot of success this season, the Bulldogs were challenged and were able to make sure they worked on improving mid-game.
The Bulldogs look forward to future matches starting against Wayne State on November 1st and Grand Valley State on the 2nd.
