CALEDONIA, Mich. — No. 1 Ferris State University (11-0, 7-0 GLIAC) defeated Davenport University (5-5, 4-3 GLIAC) 44-23 on Saturday at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in the season finale for the Panthers. The Panthers' ground game was highlighted by
Cephus Harris, who set a new single-game rushing record with 185 yards, including a 48-yard rushing touchdown. The team also capitalized on a Ferris State turnover with a 68-yard fumble return for a touchdown by
Markell Gilford in the second quarter. Despite these efforts, the Bulldogs maintained control with a strong rushing attack in the second half and scored six rushing touchdowns to secure the victory. Chase Carter scored three times on the ground for the Bulldogs including a 64-yard scamper in the second quarter.
The first quarter began with the Panthers taking the opening drive 75 yards in nine plays, culminating in a one-yard touchdown run by
Grant Thwaites at 10:14.
Ian Jenkins added the extra point to make it 7–0. The Bulldogs fumbled on their first drive and it was recovered by
Vincent Cooley, to set up the Panthers' next score. Harris capitalized with a 39-yard touchdown run, extending his status as the all-time rushing touchdown leader at Davenport with 19 touchdowns. Ferris State answered with a 19-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Bower at 5:11, narrowing the gap to 14–7 after Eddie Jewett's successful extra point.
The second quarter saw key momentum shifts between the Panthers and the Bulldogs. Jenkins missed a 46-yard field goal attempt early, leaving the door open for Ferris State. Minutes later,
Markell Gilford capitalized on a fumble by Bower, returning it 68 yards for a Panthers touchdown at 10:36. Following this, Ferris State's Alston Ware returned a blocked PAT for two points.
Ferris State responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in Chase Carter's one-yard touchdown run at 5:43, narrowing the gap further. Carter then broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run at 4:06 to put Ferris State ahead, 23-20. As the quarter wound down, Jenkins redeemed himself with a 29-yard field goal with merely six seconds left, tying the game at 23–23.
Ferris State capitalized on their first possession of the third quarter with a methodical drive that culminated in Brady Rose's eight-yard touchdown run at 8:45, extending their lead to 30–23 after Jewett's successful extra point. The Panthers' subsequent drive showed promise with Harris advancing the ball effectively, but penalties stalled their progress, forcing a turnover on downs. Ferris State managed to maintain control with Taariik Brett and Carter making significant rushing gains. The Bulldogs led 30-23 entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Ferris State increased its lead with a dominant rushing attack. Carter's two-yard touchdown run at 12:02 extended the visitor's advantage to 37–23 following Jewett's successful extra point. Ferris State continued to control the momentum as Brett broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run, further solidifying their position at 44–23 after another Jewett conversion. The Panthers' attempts to respond were stymied by strong defensive plays, including a critical sack by Nolan Ziegler that forced a turnover on downs, sealing Ferris State's victory.
The Bulldogs finished with 375 rushing yards and a 7.7 average per carry. The Panthers finished with 232 rushing yards and a 5.7 average per carry. The Bulldogs were 10-of-13 on third downs compared to 5-of-13 for Davenport.
Xavier Marquez led the defense with nine tackles.
Latrell Scott also had eight tackles and a six-yard tackle for loss.
