The excitement has been building up all season for the 2024 edition of the Anchor-Bone Classic and with only a few days to go, this year's match will undoubtedly be one of the best Division II football games of the season. 

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The 6-1 No. 3 Ferris State Bulldogs will head back into the wolves den that is Lubbers Stadium to play against the 7-0 No. 1 Grand Valley State University Lakers. The clash promises unforgettable football and will put you on the edge of your seat as the rivalry continues and the winner eventually raises their prize above their heads.

We spoke with FloFootball content creator Nicole Beckelman who covered the game last year from the sideline.

Watch No. 3 Ferris State vs No. 1 Grand Valley State live at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 26 on FloFootball.

What Is The Anchor-Bone Classic Atmosphere Like?

According to Beckelman, "compared to other D2 football games, it was the most electric game I've ever been to."
She also described it as one of the loudest games she's seen in person, and she's been to quite a few.

WATCH: Kyle Nott Unreal One-Handed Catch

When thinking back to last season's game, her favorite memory was watching Kyle Nott's one-handed catch in the first quarter. It was a 30-yard pass with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. Avery Moore made the throw and it quickly put the Lakers up 14-0. A lead that they needed when the Bulldogs surged in the second quarter, when both teams scored 21 points. 

"I was standing right there when he did it, it was so cool to watch. The crowd went crazy and his reaction was great" explained Beckelman.

Number 8 on the field, Number 3 on @SportsCenter🏈 #GLIAConFlo@gvsufootball | @gvsulakers | @kylenott15 pic.twitter.com/V8LBpUuCwU

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) October 16, 2023

With there only being an hour between the two schools, these players know each other and some are even friends. So, as much as it's business on the field and the fan bases may hate each other, it's not so serious off the field. "Some of them may have gone to the same high school. Sefa [Saipaia] and Gabe [Brown] at media day did a TikTok dance together... I genuinely think the guys respect each other and are happy to play one another."

Cinematic Recap: Ferris State vs Grand Valley State | 2023 Anchor Bone Classic

The game alone isn't enough to contain the fans excitement for the Anchor-Bone Classic each year. Tailgating begins long before the gates open and it's such an affair that they're now known as "Tailgate Town." Beckelman described it, "The people makes it what it is... and the tailgating. Tailgate Town was packed and everyone was ready for the big game."

This year's game is even more special. Not only is it the biggest rivalry in DII football, but both teams are ranked in the top 3. "A lot is on the line for this game. This game could go either way... It's going to be an insane, thrilling match so tune in," she finished.

We agree. 

Watch No. 3 Ferris State vs No. 1 Grand Valley State kicking off live at 3:00 p.m. ET this Saturday, October 26.

When Is The Anchor Bone Classic

Division II football fans are now less than a month away from one of the biggest rivalry games in the sport. The Lakers will host Ferris State at 3 p.m. ETS on Oct. 26. The game is streaming on FloFootball and the FloSports app. 

How Did The GLIAC Football Teams Perform In Week 8?

All eight GLIAC teams saw conference action on Oct. 19.

• Roosevelt def. Northern Michigan, 16-10
• Ferris State def. Michigan Tech, 51-13
• Davenport def. Wayne State 43-26
• Grand Valley State def. Saginaw Valley State, 16-9

AFCA Division II Football Rankings For Week 9

Oct. 21, 2024

1. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (27) - Prev. 2
2. Valdosta St. (Ga.) (3) - Prev. 3
3. Ferris St. (Mich.) - Prev. 4
4. Kutztown (Pa.) - Prev. 5
5. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) - Prev. 9
6. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) - Prev. 7
7. Harding (Ark.) - Prev. 1
8. Western Colorado - Prev. 8
9. Central Oklahoma - Prev. 11
10. Colorado School of Mines - Prev. 12
11. Charleston (W.Va.) - Prev. 13
12. Colorado St.-Pueblo - Prev. 14
13. Minnesota St. - Prev. 15
14. Emporia St. (Kan.) - Prev. 16
15. Slippery Rock (Pa.) - Prev. 6
16. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) - Prev. 17
17. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) - Prev. 18
18. West Alabama - Prev. 10
19. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.) - Prev. 20
20. Central Washington - Prev. 21
21. Indianapolis (Ind.) - Prev. 19
22. Southern Arkansas - Prev. 24
23. West Florida - Prev. 23
24. Delta St. (Miss.) - Prev. NR
25. Augustana (S.D.) - Prev. NR

Dropped Out: Frostburg St. (Md.) (22), Henderson St. (Ark.) (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Angelo St. (Tex.), 22; Findlay (Ohio), 22; California (Pa.), 21; Virginia Union, 20; Wayne St. (Neb.), 16; Wingate (N.C.), 10; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 8; Colorado Mesa, 7; Indiana (Pa.), 7; New Haven (Conn.), 7; Davenport (Mich.), 6; Frostburg St. (Md.), 6; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 4; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 3; Ashland (Ohio), 2; Emory & Henry (Va.), 1; Western Oregon, 1.

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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