December 13th, 2025 6:00pm
From Ferris State sports information:
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — For the fifth time in school history and the fourth time in the last five years, the Ferris State Bulldogs are headed back to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game in Texas as FSU earned a 49-17 win over visiting Newberry (S.C.) in the NCAA D2 National Semifinals on Saturday (Dec. 13) at Top Taggart Field.
With the win, Ferris State will head to McKinney (Texas) for the national title game next Saturday (Dec. 20) at 4 p.m. (ET).
Under frigid conditions with the wind chill below zero, the Bulldogs dominated on the ground in the semifinals, rushing for 368 yards and five touchdowns. The defense intercepted five passes and forced six turnovers in the win, helping Ferris State improve to 15-0 on the year. The 15 wins ties the school record originally set in 2018 when FSU earned its first-ever national semifinal win.
"It was tough out there with the weather and it was tough on both teams," said FSU head coach Tony Annese. "Obviously, I give Newberry a lot of credit. I thought they did a lot of miraculous things and had a great year. They've been calling them then cardiac kids. All of a sudden we go up and then they come back and you're like, 'oh my gosh, is this the real deal?' We were able to get some key turnovers, interceptions and that helped us a lot.
"Those were the worst conditions I've ever been in," he added. "You know, I've never coached in a game that was that cold. But all in all, it was a huge, huge win."
The Wolves, who were riding a 10-game winning streak entering the contest, managed 392 total offensive yards, but only eight yards rushing on 18 attempts.
Ferris State seized control in the first quarter with an efficient offensive display, amassing 146 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Carson Gulker's consistent ground attack, including a pivotal 50-yard run called back by penalty, set up Jake Price for two rushing touchdowns. Wyatt Bower contributed through the air with a 48-yard pass to Tarick Bower, leading to a commanding 21-7 lead by the end of the quarter. Meanwhile, Newberry struggled with turnovers, throwing two interceptions, which the Bulldogs capitalized on to maintain their advantage.
In the first quarter, FSU initiated the scoring with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Bower to Tarick Bower at 11:28 on the first drive of the game. They extended the lead with Price's 12-yard rushing touchdown at 7:43. Later, Price added another 12-yard touchdown run at 3:01, making it 21-0. Newberry answered with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Reed Charpia to Will Young V, reducing the deficit to 21-7 with 1:22 remaining in the quarter.
Newberry cut into Ferris State's lead early in the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown run by Coleman Gray at the 11:46 mark, bringing the score to 21-14. A 39-yard field goal by Burke Nettles at 7:40 further narrowed the gap to 21–17. The Bulldogs responded with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Gulker to Taariik Brett at 1:53, extending the margin to 28–17. FSU then capitalized on a fumble recovery by Jalen Jones at Newberry's one-yard line, leading to a one-yard touchdown run by Brady Rose with 1:32 remaining in the half, giving FSU a 35-17 lead at the break.
"Yeah, coming into the game, we knew the conditions weren't going to be well and we had to use that to our advantage," said Jones. "You know, we had to create turnovers. I know that they aren't used to this cold weather, even though we aren't used to it being that cold either. But, you know, yeah, we just knew we had to create turnovers in this game."
Ferris State used an efficient ground attack in the third quarter, amassing 131 rushing yards across 13 attempts to extend the lead. Chase Carter's 13-yard touchdown run at 7:23 was complemented by Price's 13-yard scoring dash at 1:47, both contributing to a 14-0 quarter advantage. The Wolves struggled to find traction, hindered by a crucial false start and a sack that stalled their progress, culminating in a turnover on downs at 10:46. The Wolves struggled to maintain momentum, with Charpia's pass intercepted by Jones at the Ferris State 10-yard line, quelling their hopes of a comeback. The quarter concluded with Ferris State leading 49-17.
FSU maintained control in the fourth quarter through effective ground play, highlighted by Price's nine-yard rush early in the period and Gulker's pivotal 17-yard gain which converted a third down. While Newberry forced a fumble from Price, the Bulldogs' defense responded by sacking Reed Charpia twice for a total loss of 20 yards, disrupting the Wolves' offensive rhythm. Newberry's late drive was hindered by a 15-yard sack on Charpia by Zach Kelly and Jack Lamancusa, leading to a turnover on downs. Ferris State regained possession and effectively ran down the clock with a series of kneel downs, securing the 49-17 victory.
Gulker paced FSU with a game-high 115 yards rushing on 17 carries and he completed both of his passes for 49 yards and a score. Wyatt Bower completed 4-of-7 passes for 94 yards and threw one touchdown. Price carried the ball 10 times for 85 yards and scored three touchdowns while helping lead the offensive charge. Tarick Bower contributed with two receptions for 89 yards, including one touchdown.
"Our offensive success started with The Nasty Boys and our offensive line being nasty up front," Gulker said. "Today, they were doing a great job of winning up front. That makes life easier for the guys who are running behind them. So, I give the offensive line a lot of credit."
Defensively, Jones made a strong impact by intercepting two passes and recovering one fumble. Justin Payoute also had two picks while Isiah Byars finished with eight tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and an interception.
For Newberry, Charpia, a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, completed 30-of-48 passes for 348 yards and a score, but was intercepted five times and sacked four times.
The Bulldogs topped a school single-season record by recording their 30th interception of the year and Payoute also broke the single-season individual mark with his eighth and ninth picks of the campaign.
The win was Ferris State's 29th in a row dating back to last season and the 29th-straight home win at Top Taggart Field. FSU finished the home portion of its slate with a perfect 10-0 mark in Big Rapids and the Bulldogs have now won five of their past six national semifinal games.
"Getting back to McKinney next weekend, that means everything," said Jones. "It's really special to be part of something like this, you know. A lot of people don't ever get the chance to be a part of something like we have here even once. This is like my third, fourth time. It's a blessing every single time and I try to cherish it and just live in the moment."
Gulker, who missed all of last season's playoff run due to injury, echoed those sentiments.
""I was super happy watching the team succeed all last year, but to be out there and get a chance to come back and get to McKinney this year is awesome," he said.