Game 11: #21 Davenport (8-2) vs. #5 Ferris State (9-1)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 19
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Big Rapids, Mich.
Stadium: Top Taggart Field
Surface: Artificial Turf
Tickets: ferrisstatebulldogs.com/tickets
Live Stats: gliac.org | Live Stats

Live Video: FloSports
Audio: Magic 104.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Announcers: Rick Berkey (play-by-play), Ryan Thompson (analyst)
Pregame Show: Begins at 12:15 p.m.

All-Time Series: DU trails 6-0
Series in Big Rapids: DU trails 3-0
Last Meeting: FSU 28, DU 7 (Nov. 5, 2022)
Current Series Streak: FSU (W6)

OPENING DRIVE
● PLAYOFFS! You kidding me PLAYOFFS! Yes, coach Jim Mora it has happened for the Davenport football team for the first time in school history with an 8-2 regular season record. The Panthers heard the news on Sunday night during the NCAA selection show. The NCAA Super Region 3, considered the toughest in the nation, welcomed Davenport to the show and the opponent is no stranger in defending national champion and two-seed Ferris State. The two teams played two weeks ago, but this time it is a high-stakes matchup set for Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 PM. The forecast looks like a potential winter wonderland, perfect weather for postseason football.
● The Panthers could not solve a potent rushing attack two weeks ago in the Bulldogs' 28-7 win also in Big Rapids on Nov. 5. Ferris State rushed for 294 yards on 54 carries (5.4 ypr) and scored all three of their offensive touchdowns on the ground. In contrast, DU will need to control the line of scrimmage better if they want to pull off the upset. DU had just 24 rushing yards on 25 attempts in the previous contest. The Davenport defense did wreak havoc in the backfield as they sacked Mylik Mitchell five times for a loss of 37 yards. Marcus Taylor rushed for 105 yards and C.J. Jefferson carried eight times for 95 yards for the Bulldogs. On offense for Davenport, it was Sy Barnett and Preston Smith each with six catches in the passing game. Roy Livingstone had the team's lone touchdown on a 23-yard catch from Jason Whittaker in the third quarter.
● Ferris State will be looking to become the first team since Northwest Missouri State in 2015 and 2016 to win back-to-back national championships. Davenport will be making their fourth trip to Big Rapids all-time. This will also be the fourth time that the teams will be playing in the last two years. DU played Ferris State both as a non-conference and conference game in 2021. The Ferris State defense has been the biggest story in the all-time series limiting the Davenport offense to 7.5 points per game.

DAVENPORT NOTEBOOK
● Sparky McEwen has been named GLIAC Coach of the Year announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon. McEwen has guided one of the best turnarounds in NCAA Division II this season. He has taken the Panthers from 3-8 a year ago into an 8-2 team and a NCAA Division II playoff participant for the first time in the short history of Davenport football. The Panthers set a season record with eight wins and began the season with an 8-0 record before finishing the season with two of the premier opponents not only regionally but nationally. Davenport reached as high as 13th nationally after that 8-0 start and had never been nationally ranked until this season.
● The Panthers had four players named First Team All-GLIAC including wide receiver Sy Barnett, kicker Brandon Gielow, defensive end Austin Alward, and defensive back Shaq Floyd. Barnett set a single-season record for receptions (48) and receiving yards (642), while catching four touchdown passes. Gielow set a single-season record with 64 points including 37 extra-points and nine field goals. He finished 9-for-11 in field goals this season. Alward is currently tied for third in a single season with 14 tackles for loss including 6.5 sacks, which is tied for the most in a season at DU. Floyd led the team with three interceptions which is fifth-most in a campaign at Davenport. He also had 49 tackles including 32 solo stops to rank third on the team in total tackles.
● The postseason awards continued with Second Team All-GLIAC selections for quarterback Jason Whittaker, running back Caleef Jenkins, wide receiver Preston Smith, offensive lineman Dwight Harris, offensive lineman Savon Simmons, defensive lineman Malik Barrow, linebacker Payton Mitchell, linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse, and special teams returner Roy Livingstone.
● Whittaker set single-season marks for completions (175), yards (2,224), and touchdowns (25). Mitchell's 78 tackles is fifth-most in a season. Smith caught 43 passes for 561 yards and six TD's.