Football Falls To Ferris State 27-7

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University football team dropped a 27-7 contest to No. 24 Ferris State Saturday afternoon (September 13).

Northwood falls to 1-1 overall and in the GLIAC. FSU improves to 2-0 overall, 1-0 in the GLIAC.

The opening five plus minutes of the game proved to be the big key to the game. Two plays into their opening drive, FSU earned a 67-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0. After Northwood punted on their first possession, the Bulldogs registered a 56-yard touchdown pass to go up 13-0 just 5:07 into the game.

The Northwood defense played much better for over 20 minutes of game time, but the offense could not put together a drive. FSU then picked off an NU pass to put the ball at the Northwood 36, which they took advantage of six plays later with a touchdown to go up 20-0 at halftime. The Bulldogs out-gained the Timberwolves 252-91 in the opening half, with 123 of the FSU yards coming on two plays.

Northwood held the ball for 10:28 second in the third quarter and out-gained Ferris 89-26 in the third quarter, but could not put any points on the board. That sent the game to the fourth quarter with Ferris State still on top 20-0.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to start the fourth quarter on a 16-play drive that was capped on a touchdown run. Northwood responded right away with their first points of the day. Bryan Thomas (Pompano Beach, Fla.) got NU great field position thanks to a 51-yard kick return.  Five plays later, Mitch Robinson (Rochester Hills, Mich./Avondale) found the end zone from one-yard out to make the score 27-7.

Northwood did not recover the following onside kick, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs. Neither team scored the rest of the way.

For the game, Ferris State finished with a 390-248 advantage in total yards. Northwood ended the game with 108 yards rushing and 140 yards passing.

Robinson threw for 121 yards and rushed for 40 yards, both of which led Northwood on the day. Mike Keith (Roseville, Mich. /Warren De La Salle) and Michael Fisher (Rochester, Mich. /Adams) each had 11 tackles on the day for Northwood.

The Timberwolves will host their lone non-conference game of the season next Saturday (September 20), hosting McKendree. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.