Game 9: #13 Davenport (8-0, 4-0 GLIAC) at #7 Ferris State (7-1, 3-1 GLIAC)

Date: Saturday, Nov. 5
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Big Rapids, Mich.
Stadium: Top Taggart Field
Surface: Artificial Turf
Tickets: Hometown Ticketing
Live Stats: ferrisstatebulldogs.com | Live Stats (XML)

Live Video: FloSports

Radio: Magic 104.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
Announcers: Rick Berkey (play-by-play), Bill Rohn (analyst)
Pregame Show: Begins at 12:15 p.m.

All-Time Series: DU trails 5-0
Series in Big Rapids: FSU leads 2-0
Last Meeting: FSU 50-14 (2021)
Current Series Streak: FSU (W-5)

OPENING DRIVE
● This week is the biggest game in program history to date as the Panthers, ranked No. 13 in Division II, travel to No. 7 Ferris State for a 1:00 PM kickoff at Top Taggart Field. The Panthers are ranked fifth in Super Region 3 and the Bulldogs currently occupy the third spot in the regional rankings. The top seven teams in the region at the conclusion of the regular season will advance to the playoffs. Davenport passed their first test last Saturday with a 29-28 win on the road at then No. 23 Saginaw Valley State. The game featured five lead changes in the second half alone and both teams scored in all four quarters. Davenport finished with 461 total yards including 307 through the air. Saginaw Valley State finished with 329 total yards including 189 on the ground. The time of possession proved to be a key factor as DU held the ball for 39:57 of a possible 60 minutes and were 11-of-20 on third down.
● The Panthers are looking for their first win in the series and each time the Bulldogs have been nationally ranked. The teams played twice last season with Ferris State winning 38-0 in non-conference action on Sept. 25 and again 50-14 in GLIAC action on Nov. 6 in Caledonia. Davenport will need to ramp up their offensive production averaging 7.6 points per game in the all-time series.
● Ferris State is the defending national champion and have just one setback in 2022 as their 19-game win streak was snapped back on Oct. 15 at home against Grand Valley State. It was a No. 1 vs No. 2 battle in Big Rapids and was decided by a single point (22-21). The Bulldogs had also won 43 straight regular-season games dating back to 2017. Carson Gulker has emerged as the team's signal-caller and helped lead the team to a 56-20 win at Northern Michigan last Saturday. Gulker was responsible for five touchdowns. Caleb Murphy on defense is a menace with 23 TFL and 15.5 sacks.

DAVENPORT NOTEBOOK
● Senior defensive back Shaq Floyd was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week after three tackles with two of those for a loss in the Panthers' 29-28 win over No. 23 Saginaw Valley State on the road to improve to 8-0, 4-0 GLIAC. Floyd also forced a fumble and picked off his third pass of the season with five return yards. That interception set up a touchdown in the third quarter. It was his seventh career pick which is third-best in DU history.
● Sophomore kicker Brandon Gielow was named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week and connected on three field goals in the win over No. 23 Saginaw Valley State. He made his first three attempts and the fourth was blocked, making him 9-of-10 on the season in field goals. He was good from 38 yards in the first quarter, 21 yards in the second quarter, and 25 yards in the third quarter. He finished with 11 points after making both PAT's. He set the single-season record with nine field goals in 2022.
● Alonzell (Zelly) Henderson played a big role in last week's win as he set season highs with nine receptions and 96 receiving yards. He also caught a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Henderson over the last three weeks has 15 catches for 142 yards and two scores.
● Jason Whittaker went over 300 passing yards for the fourth time this season going 21-of-45 for 307 yards and three scores at SVSU. He also has four games this season with at least three passing touchdowns. He needs seven completions to set the single-season record and 16 pass attempts to also break that mark. His 1,878 passing yards and 24 passing TD's are tops in a season at DU.
● Sy Barnett is also creeping up the single-season record book for receiving yards needing 12 on Saturday against his former team to surpass Nate Couturier (549 in 2019). In addition, Barnett needs three receptions to surpass Herman Brunis in 2016 for most receptions in a season. Roy Livingstone (8) and Preston Smith (6) are already 1-2 in a season for receiving touchdowns.