BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport football team had their undefeated season come to an end against the defending national champion Ferris State Bulldogs on a blustery and rainy Saturday afternoon at Top Taggart Field. The marquee contest between the No. 13 Panthers and No. 7 Bulldogs came down to a physical, edge rushing attack by the Bulldogs. On a less-than-desirable weather day, the ground game plays an even bigger factor and the Bulldogs used their speed weapons on the outside to gain the boundary particularly in the second half.
 
The teams did not display much in terms of offense in the first half. The first score of the game came at 8:27 in the first quarter as Justin Payoute caught a pass off the hands of Sy Barnett and took it back 43 yards for the pick six. The Bulldogs then took a 14-0 lead into halftime as Tyrese Hunt-Thompson scored on a two-yard run with 47 seconds left in the second quarter. The Bulldog defense was formidable as Davenport managed just 57 total yards on 30 plays in the first half. Ferris State meanwhile totaled 218 yards including 113 on the ground.
 
The Panthers were able to win the coin toss and deferred to the second half. That came in handy as the Panthers took the first drive of the second half and marched 75 yards in seven plays. Jason Whittaker found Roy Livingstone on a 23-yard touchdown with 12:10 left in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 14-7.
 
The Bulldogs responded quickly however on their next possession. They too marched 75 yards but in eight plays and Emari O'Brien rushed it in from five yards around left end and regained a two-touchdown lead at 21-7 with 9:07 left in the quarter. Ferris State began to distance themselves from the visitors from an hour south as Mylik Mitchell rushed up the middle for a three-yard touchdown with 4:19 left in the quarter on a seven-play, 60-yard drive for a 28-7 advantage.
 
The Panthers were driving in the fourth quarter but Whittaker was intercepted for the second time in the game at the Ferris State two-yard line with 6:07 left in the game. The Bulldogs finished with 448 total yards and 294 rushing yards, both are season-highs against the Davenport defense this season. Davenport converted on 3-of-13 of their third downs and managed 183 total yards on 56 plays. The previous season low was 285 total yards in the season-opening win at Truman State.
 
The defense was able to record five sacks on the game. Austin Alward had two sacks and three tackles for loss. Alward also finished with seven total tackles. Shaq Floyd led the defense with nine tackles and one tackle for loss. Aaron Hill finished with seven tackles. Sy Barnett had six catches for 70 yards against his former team. Barnett also averaged 44 yards per punt including a school-record 87 yarder. Preston Smith also had six catches for 46 yards.