The Ferris State Bulldogs are headed back to the NCAA Division II national semifinals after dominating defending national champion Harding at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, 41-7.

It was the biggest loss for the Bisons since the quarterfinals of the 2016 Division II Playoffs, and it will allow the Bulldogs to continue their quest for a third national title in four seasons. 

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Ferris State won it all in 2021 and 2022, but a first-round loss to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Grand Valley State saw the bid for the three-peat quickly come to an end. GVSU lost to Harding the next week, and the Bisons went on to claim the trophy.

After Saturday’s quarterfinal games conclude, the four Super Region champions will be reseeded for the next round. The day’s other games are Slippery Rock vs. California (Pa.); Valdosta State vs. Virginia Union; and Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State.

The win was a 12th consecutive victory for Ferris State after a season-opening loss to Pittsburg State and gives the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage all-time against Harding. They previously met in the 2017 and 2018 playoffs.

Harding won their first meeting in 2017 (16-14), and Ferris State won the following season (21-19). The first was in the Division II national quarterfinals, and the second was in the opening round of the playoffs. 

The trip to Big Rapids on Saturday was the third consecutive road playoff game for the Bisons, who had been dominant in 2024, leading Division II in more than a dozen statistical categories this season, including 51.3 points per game (Ferris State was second at 44.8) and 435.8 rushing yards per contest, entering the showdown with the Bulldogs.

Ferris State (12-1) controlled the line of scrimmage and made light work of the Harding offense, holding the Bisons to just 193 total yards (130 on the ground and 63 through the air). The Bulldogs defense also had an interception and a fumble recovery in the win. 

Offensively, junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was the complete package for Ferris State and led the Bulldogs to 452 yards of total offense.

Chambliss was 18 for 27 for 145 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and he added 86 yards and two scores on 17 rushing attempts.

Both touchdown passes – 12 and 7 yards – went to senior receiver James Gilbert, while junior running back Kannon Katzer added touchdown runs of 7 yards and 1 yard. 

Along the way, Ferris State converted three times on fourth down, and the Bulldogs’ first punt came with four minutes left in the game. A favorable roll allowed the them to pin Harding at its own 1-yard line with 3:47 left to play.

Harding quarterback Cole Keylon was 5 of 7 on the day for all 63 passing yards and was responsible for the interception, too. He added 36 yards on the ground and notched the Bisons’ lone score with an 11-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter.

The Bisons, the co-Great American Conference champions this year with Ouachita Baptist, end their season at 12-2. In the playoffs, Harding defeated Pittsburg State (48-3) and Grand Valley State (44-26).

As the No. 1 seed in Super Region Three, Ferris State received a first-round bye and then crushed Central Oklahoma in last week’s second round, 78-17.

If you missed any of the action Saturday from Big Rapids (on ESPN+), scroll down to see how it all unfolded.

Finals Stats From Ferris State Win Over Harding Football

Game Over! Ferris State Football Defeats Defending National Champion Harding 41-7

The quarterfinal matchup between Ferris State and Harding goes to the Bulldogs, 41-7.

FSU is the Super Region Three champion and advances to the national semifinals.

New Quarterback Enters Game For Ferris State

It looks like Chambliss' day is done, as redshirt freshman quarterback Chase Carter takes over under center.

There are just under six minutes left in the game.

Ferris State leads 41-7.

Harding Finally Gets On The Board Against Ferris State Football, FSU Leads 41-7

Though the game is in its final minutes, Harding is able to drive 80 yards on 10 plays to finally find the end zone with am 11-yard Keylon run. Freshman kicker James Satterfield adds the extra point to make it a 41-7 Ferris State advantage.

Bulldogs Find End Zone Again, Ferris State Leads Harding 41-0

Ferris State needs one more play to find the end zone. 

Katzer gets the ball and runs it in, completing the 79-yard drive on just two plays. Middleton adds the extra point for a 41-0 advantage with just under 12 minutes left in the game. 

Ferris State's Taariik Brett Breaks Free, Bulldogs Threatening

After another stop by the Ferris State defense, Harding punts, and the Bulldogs start their next drive at their own 20-yard line.

On the Bulldogs' first play of the ensuing drive, sophomore Taariik Brett rumbles 72 yards to the Harding 7-yard line.

Third Quarter Ends, Ferris State On Top Of Harding 34-0

With 15 minutes left to play in Big Rapids, Ferris State leads Harding 34-0.

Ferris State Leads Harding 34-0

After a pair of touchdowns on the ground, Chambliss tosses his second of the day to Gilbert, this one a 12-yard strike with just under a minute to play in the third quarter. Middleton adds the extra point to make it 34-0.

The 11-play drive took the Bulldogs 69 yards, included another fourth-down conversion and ran nearly seven minutes off the clock.

Bulldogs Waste No Time Adding To Lead, FSU Ahead 27-0

Ferris State opens the second-half with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, which included another fourth-down conversion to set up a first-and-goal opportunity. 

Chambliss runs to the outside and scores from 4 yards out three plays later. Middleton adds the extra point for a 27-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs won the initial coin toss and deferred to the second half. FSU stopped Harding on its opening drive and capitalized on getting the ball to start the second half.

Second Half Underway In Harding Vs. Ferris State Division II Playoff Game

The stats are below. Wow. What will the second half bring us?

Harding kicks off to Ferris State to start the second half.

First-Half Stats From Ferris State-Harding Division II Football Playoff Game

Harding Takes Knee, First Half Against Ferris State Ends

As the teams head into the locker rooms for halftime, Ferris State leads 20-0.

Ferris State Takes Advantage, Leads 20-0

A balanced Ferris State drive gets Bulldogs into the end zone on five plays, with Katzer capping it with a 1-yard run up the middle.

Middleton adds the extra point for a 20-0 lead.

The drive was 26 yards on five plays. 

There are 15 seconds remaining in the first half.

Harding Fumbles On Third And 5

An underhand toss from Keylon to junior running back Jay Braden is fumbled before he even had control, and Ferris State is able to recover. 

Ferris State takes over (after failing to convert on fourth down on its last possession), and will begin the drive at the Harding 26 with 2:23 left in the first half.

Ferris State Gets Interception Against Harding, First Turnover Of The Game

A third-and-6 pass from Harding's junior quarterback Cole Keylon is intercepted by Ferris State junior defensive back Gyasi Mattison.

The Bulldogs take over at their own 10-yard line with just under nine minutes left in the first half.

First Quarter Ends In Ferris State Football-Harding Division II Playoff Game

After one quarter of play at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Ferris State leads 13-0. 

Ferris State Extends Lead Over Harding To 13-0

Chambliss connects with senior wide receiver James Gilbert on a second-and-7 pass from the Harding 7 to put the Bulldogs up 13-0. It happened with 16 seconds left in the opening quarter.

The extra point attempt was blocked.

The drive was 69 yards on 13 plays.

Ferris State 13, Harding 0

Ferris State Converts On Fourth Down

On fourth and 3 at the Harding 28-yard line, Chambliss pushes forward, bounces off the linemen and gets the first down to keep the FSU drive going.

First and 10 on the Harding 24 with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Harding Football Fast Fact

Did you know that in Harding's 44-26 win last week over Grand Valley State, the snowy conditions forced the Bisons to stay on the ground. They had ZERO passing yards in the game and only attempted ONE pass the entire game.

Harding had 475 yards of offense, all rushes.

GVSU had 44 yards on the ground and 179 through the air, going 13 for 25.

Ferris State Scores First Against Harding Football, Bulldogs Lead 7-0

Ferris State's opening drives ends with an 8-yard touchdown run up the middle from Chambliss. Junior kicker Mitchell Middleton adds the extra point for a 7-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs went 55 yards on six plays for the score.

Ferris State Opens With Trick Play

Junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss tosses it out to Brady Rose, who passes it back to Chambliss. Chambliss rumbles 14 yards for the first down in Harding territory.

On the next play, junior running back Kannon Katzer rushed for 20 yards, bringing the Bulldogs to the Harding 21-yard line.

Harding Punts On First Possession

Ferris State has one of the top-10 defenses in the nation and is able to shut Harding down on the opening drive.

After the punt, the Bulldogs get the ball at their own 45-yard line.

Harding started at the 25-yard line after the kick went through the end zone.

Ferris State Football And Harding Underway In Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State wins the coin toss and defers to the second half. 

The Bulldogs will kick off to the Harding Bisons to start this Division II Super Region Three championship game.

When Is The Harding Vs. Ferris State Football Game?

The Harding Bisons will take on the Ferris State Bulldogs at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

How To Watch The Harding Vs. Ferris State Football Game

The Harding vs. Ferris State playoff football game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Highlights, breaking news and full coverage of the Division II playoffs will be available on FloFootball. 

Fast Fact: Ferris State Football

Ferris State has won 17 consecutive home games. 

Fast Fact: Harding Football

This year marks Harding’s ninth appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Bisons are responsible for 12 of the 14 playoff wins by teams from the Great American Conference. 

Did You Know Ferris State’s Trinidad Chambliss Is A Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist?

Junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is one of eight finalists for the 2024 Harlon Hill Trophy, which is given to the NCAA Division II Player of the Year. Read more:

CONGRATS! Ferris State junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been chosen today as one of eight national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA D2 National Player of the Year! https://t.co/TmfsFh50TB pic.twitter.com/Kntlzt0C9A

— Ferris Athletics (@ferrisathletics) December 4, 2024

But Wait, There’s More: Harding Is Up For Some Hardware, Too

Harding’s senior nose guard Gage Price is a finalist for the 2024 Gene Upshaw Award, which goes to the top offensive or defensive lineman in NCAA Division II football. Read more:

Harding's Gage Price Named Gene Upshaw Award Finalisthttps://t.co/jr9r2pdiAb#GoBisons

— Harding Sports (@HardingSports) December 5, 2024

About Harding Football

Harding kicked off its title defense this year with six consecutive wins, scoring 57 or more points in each, while holding its opponents to just 13, including three shutouts. 

The only time the Bisons stumbled this year was a 17-13 loss to top-10 Ouachita Baptist on Oct. 19. Harding has cruised since, collecting six more wins, while outscoring opponents 288-94.

The numbers may sound shocking, but the glimpse clearly illustrates how stellar the Bisons have been in 2024. They lead Division II in more than a dozen statistical categories this season, including 51.3 points per game (Ferris State is second at 44.8) and 435.8 rushing yards per contest. 

In the pre-playoff American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll, Harding was ranked at No. 4. The Bisons shared the Great American Conference football title this year with Ouachita Baptist, as both teams finished 10-1 in conference play. 

Check Out This Recap Of Harding’s Win Over Grand Valley State In Round 2 

Read more about Harding’s 44-26 win against Grand Valley State last week in Round 2 of the 2024 NCAA Division II Football Championship.

Harding Advances in NCAA Division II Playoffs with 44-26 Win over Grand Valley Statehttps://t.co/0yeuJ5WWAe#GoBisons

— Harding Sports (@HardingSports) November 30, 2024

About Ferris State Football

While Ferris State’s bid for a third consecutive national championship ended in the first round of the 2023 Division II Playoffs, the Bulldogs have proven their case in 2024 that they’re still a team that’s capable of winning it all.

On their way to a fourth GLIAC title since 2018, the Bulldogs surged to the No. 2 spot in the last American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll, plus the top spot in the Super Region Three rankings. 

This year marks Ferris State’s 10th consecutive year of playoff action, and it began in dominating fashion. The Bulldogs used a 34-point second quarter last week to quickly pull away from Central Oklahoma. 

FSU had 688 yards of total offense, including 485 rushing yards on the snow-covered gridiron, in the 78-17 win and now will play for a regional championship for the seventh time in eight seasons. 

Since being limited to just three points in their 19-3 loss to Pittsburg State, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 534-119.

How To Watch Ferris State Football Games

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Ferris State football regular-season home games stream live on FloFootball and the FloSports app.

Game replays, highlights and breaking news are posted on both platforms.

Ferris State Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss Is Ready For Harding

Hear what Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had to say about his team’s upcoming meeting with the defending national champion Harding Bisons.

WATCH: @FerrisFootball quarterback Trinidad Chambliss's interview before the Bulldogs' playoff game against Harding! pic.twitter.com/bPNUnzE2Al

— Ferris Athletics (@ferrisathletics) December 4, 2024

Harding Football Schedule 2024

All Times Eastern

• Sept. 5: Harding 59, Southern Nazarene 0 (W)
• Sept.14: Harding 59, Oklahoma Baptist 7 (W)
• Sept.19: Harding 63, Arkansas-Monticello 3 (W)
• Sept.28: Harding 66, Henderson State 0 (W)
• Oct.5: Harding 57, Southwestern Oklahoma 3 (W)
• Oct.12: Harding 62, Northwestern Oklahoma 0 (W)
• Oct.19: Ouachita Baptist 17, Harding 13 (L)
• Oct.26: Harding 49, Southern Arkansas 17 (W)
• Oct.31: Harding 56, Southeastern Oklahoma 14 (W)
• Nov.9: Harding 34, East Central 7 (W)
• Nov.16: Harding 57, Arkansas Tech 27 (W)
• Nov.23: Harding 48, Pittsburg State 3 (W, Division II Playoffs Round 1)
• Nov.30: Harding 44, Grand Valley State 26 (W, Division II Playoffs Round 2)
• Dec.7: at Ferris State, 1 p.m. EST (ESPN+)

Ferris State Football Schedule 2024

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 31: Pittsburg State 19, Ferris State 3 (L)
• Sept.7: Ferris State 56, Lake Erie 3 (W)
• Sept.14: Ferris State 43, Ashland 3 (W)
• Sept.28: Ferris State 84, American International 7 (W)
• Oct.5: Ferris State 55, Roosevelt 13 (W)
• Oct.12/13: Ferris State 27, Wayne State 14 (W)
• Oct.19: Ferris State 51, Michigan Tech (W)
• Oct.26: Ferris State 34, Grand Valley State 7 (W)
• Nov.2: Ferris State 55, Northern Michigan 9 (W)
• Nov.9: Ferris State 27, Saginaw Valley State 24 (W)
• Nov.16: Ferris State 24, Davenport 9 (W)
• Nov.30: Ferris State 78, Central Oklahoma 17 (W, Division II Playoffs Round 2)
• Dec.7: vs. Harding, 1 p.m. EST (ESPN+)

Harding Football Roster For 2024

Here is where fans can find the Harding football roster.

Ferris State Football Roster For 2024

Here is where fans can find the Ferris State football roster.

When Are The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs?

• First round: Saturday, Nov. 23
• Second round: Saturday, Nov. 30 
• Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 7 
• Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 14
• National championship: Saturday, Dec. 21

When Is The NCAA Division II Championship Game?

The NCAA Division II championship game is set for Saturday, Dec. 21 in McKinney, Texas.

NCAA Division II Football Playoff Schedule

First Round: Saturday, Nov. 23

• Slippery Rock def. New Haven, 14-7
• Ashland def. Charleston (W.Va.), 40-38
• California (Pa.) def. East Stroudsburg, 30-27
• Miles def. Carson-Newman, 14-13
• Virginia Union def. Wingate, 34-31
• Lenoir-Rhyne def. West Alabama, 37-34
• Central Oklahoma def. Ouachita Baptist, 38-31
• Grand Valley State def. UIndy, 24-7
• Harding def. Pittsburg State, 48-3
• Minnesota State def. Augustana (S.D.), 20-19
• Western Colorado def. Central Washington, 28-21
• Bemidji State def. Angelo State, 24-14

Second Round: Saturday, Nov. 30

• Slippery Rock def. Kutztown, 25-24
• California (Pa.) def. Ashland, 34-33
• Valdosta State def. Miles, 33-17
• Virginia Union def. Lenoir-Rhyne, 44-12
• Ferris State def. Central Oklahoma, 78-17
• Harding def. Grand Valley State, 44-26
• Minnesota State def. CSU Pueblo, 26-23
• Bemidji State def. Western Colorado, 20-19

Third Round: Saturday, Dec. 7

All Times Eastern

• Slippery Rock vs. California (Pa.), 1 p.m.
• Harding vs. Ferris State, 1 p.m.
• Virginia Union vs. Valdosta State, 1 p.m.
• Bemidji vs. Minnesota State, 3 p.m.

AFCA Division II Football Rankings

As of Nov. 18, 2024

1. Valdosta St. (Ga.) (27) 10-0
2. Ferris St. (Mich.) (3) 10-1
3. Kutztown (Pa.) 11-0
4. Harding (Ark.) 10-1
5. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 10-1
6. Charleston (W.Va.) 11-0
7. Colorado St.-Pueblo 10-1
8. Central Oklahoma 10-1
9. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 10-1
10. Western Colorado 10-1
11. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 9-1
12. West Alabama 9-1
13. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 8-2
14. Indianapolis (Ind.) 10-1
15. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 9-2
16. Angelo St. (Tex.) 9-2
17. Wingate (N.C.) 9-1
18. Colorado School of Mines 8-3
19. Central Washington 8-3
20. California (Pa.) 8-2
21. West Florida 7-3
22. Augustana (S.D.) 8-3
23. Southern Arkansas 9-2
24. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) 9-2
25. Central Missouri 8-3

Dropped Out: Minnesota St. (18), Findlay (Ohio) (22).

Others Receiving Votes: Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 65; East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 45; Virginia Union, 38; Miles (Ala.), 36; Minnesota St., 34; New Haven (Conn.), 21; Findlay (Ohio), 18; Bemidji St. (Minn.), 9; Sioux Falls (S.D.), 4; Davenport (Mich.), 3; Ashland (Ohio), 2; Glenville St. (W.Va.), 1.

To see the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll, click here.

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