GVSU football faces Ferris State in playoff rematch: 3 keys to victory
ALLENDALE - What is better than the Anchor Bone Classic?
How about two?
The Grand Valley State football team will host rival Ferris State in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Saturday at Lubbers Stadium.
The Lakers won the first matchup 49-28, unseating the then-top-ranked Bulldogs. GVSU went on to cruise through the rest of the GLIAC season and win the conference championship.
But anything can happen in this rivalry.
Here is a look at three keys to the game:
Who will have the quick start?
The first matchup couldn't have started any faster for Grand Valley State as the Lakers scored on their first play from scrimmage, then kept the offensive barrage going for a stunning 35-0 lead before the Ferris State offense found the end zone.
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A start like that completely dictated the pace of play and the momentum in the game from the outset and even though Ferris State played much better in the second half, it was too late.
A quick start could be the difference once again in this rivalry. But who will seize it?
Can GVSU make special teams big plays again?
GVSU kicked and recovered multiple onside kicks, which led to quick scores.
The Lakers scored three touchdowns in two minutes to turn a 21-0 lead to a 35-0 lead.
In the postseason, one special teams play could turn the tide of the entire season, especially with two rivals going at it.
Ferris State's local connection
When Ferris State finally got going offensively, it was when Zeeland West graduate Carson Gulker entered the game. He then threw a touchdown pass to West Ottawa graduate Xavier Wade to get the ball rolling for the Bulldogs.
Gulker led two more scoing drives before the half, cutting the lead to 35-21, which after the incredible GVSU start, really changed the course of the game.
“That’s what I love about our team,” Gulker said. “We don’t have any quit in us. Most teams would fold after being down 35-0, but we kept fighting and had a chance to tie it up. So I’m really proud of the effort that we had.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU football faces Ferris State in playoff rematch: 3 keys to victory
