GLIAC -- Undefeated and top-ranked Ferris State (13-0) will look to capture the program's first national title on Saturday, Dec. 18 when it faces Valdosta State in the NCAA Division II Football Championship at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.
Kick off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET with the game to be broadcast on ESPNU.
FSU will be making its second-ever national championship game appearance. Saturday's showdown of national powers features a rematch of the 2018 title game won by the Blazers, 49-47, in Texas.
The GLIAC champion Bulldogs advanced to the championship by virtue of a dominating semifinal performance, defeating Shepherd (W. Va.), 55-7, in Big Rapids. Quarterback Jared Bernhardt returned to the line-up to score five rushing touchdowns, all in the first half, and roll up 200 yards on the ground.
No matter which quarterback has been at the helm, the Ferris State offense, which ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in scoring and No. 2 in total offense, is firing on all cylinders in the playoffs, averaging 50.0 points per game in the three contests. The nation's 16th-ranked defense has been impressive as well, led by All-American defensive lineman Caleb Murphy and safety Jamil Thomas, allowing 15.6 points per game.
Valdosta State (12-1), co-champion of the Gulf South Conference, is making its sixth trip to the national championship game in program history - all since 2002. The Blazers lost their first trip in 2002 versus Grand Valley State, but has won each of the next four trips, in 2004, 2007, 2012 and 2018.
VSU narrowly escaped the semifinals, downing the Colorado School of Mines in a nailbiter, 34-31. The Blazers downed West Georgia, 66-35, in the second round and Bowie State, 41-17, in the quarterfinals.
Valdosta's lone loss of 2021 came in the regular season finale, a 61-42 setback to 2019 national champion West Florida in Pensacola.
Blazer quarterback Ivory Durham has accounted for 43 total touchdowns (30 passing, 13 rushing) and over 4,000 combined yards in 2021. Running back Seth McGill (1,206) and Jamar Thompkins (966), together, have produced over 2,000 rushing yards. Linebacker Nick Moss is the leading tackler (115) on a Valdosta defense that surrenders an average of 20 points per game.
Current members of the GLIAC have won a total of five Division II national championships -- Grand Valley State (4) (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and Northern Michigan (1) (1975).
GAME NOTES: FERRIS STATE | VALDOSTA STATE
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