GVSU football eliminated by Ferris State in playoffs: 3 takeaways

Dan D'Addona, The Holland Sentinel
·4 min read
Farris State's Tyrese Hunt-Thompson brings down the bass for a score against GVSU Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Lubbers Stadium.
Farris State's Tyrese Hunt-Thompson brings down the bass for a score against GVSU Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Lubbers Stadium.

The Grand Valley State football team lost a close game to rival Ferris State during the regular season, after a couple of costly turnovers.

In the rematch in the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Lakers again had a slew of turnovers, and couldn't slow the Ferris State offense and GVSU ended it season with a 54-20 loss at Ferris State in the second round.

Ferris State showed its offensive firepower from the outset as quarterback Jared Bernhardt scored on a 65-yard run just three plays into the game.

The Lakers tied it with their own quick drive, taking jut 1:38 to march down the field and scored on a 6-yard pass from Cade Peterson to Bryce Young-Walls.

But GVSU didn't score again in the first half, while Ferris State continued to roll. Bernhardt scored on a 1-yard run, then threw a 76-yard touchdown pastt to Marcus Taylor. He then found Mason Pline for a 26-yard pass before Sy Barnett hit two field goals to make it 33-7 at the half.

Ferris State scored in the third quarter on a 13-yard run by Mylik Mitchell to make it 40-7.

Young-Walls added a 3-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Mitchell threw a 13-yard TD to Marcus Taylor and Evan Cummins added a 3-yard touchdown run.

GVSU capped the scoring when Peterson found Hunter Rison for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Peterson finished 16-for-35 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Young-Walla had 37 yards rushing on eight carries and Tariq Reid had five rushes for 39 yards. Cody Tierney caught three passes for 83 yards, Rison had six catches for 62 yards and Jayk Slager (Zeeland West) had two catches for 23 yards.

Ferris State's Bernhardt was 7-for-11 passinf for 166 yards and two scores. He also ran for 117 yards on 14 attempts. Taylor had four catches for 115 yards and Xavier Wade (West Ottawa) had six catches for 91 yards.

GVSU finished the season 10-2, while Ferris State (11-0) advanced to the national quarterfinals.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Defensive struggles

The GVSU defense had been at its best the past few weeks. In the past four games, the Lakers had allowed nine, 13, zero and three points, just 25 points total in four games.

They were at their best in a shutout win over Davenport, then allowed just three points to Lindenwood in the first round of the playoffs.

But the defense couldn't handle Ferris State's high-powered offense.

After GVSU tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter, Ferris State scored 33 unanswered points to take control of the game. They came from long passes, short passes, long runs and short runs.

GVSU allowed 35 points in the first matchup, but were just two away from that total by halftime, giving up 33.

Third-down woes

The GVSU offense wasn't much better in the rematch, and third downs were key.

Ferris State led 33-7 a the half somehow despite going just 1-for-7 in third downs (and 1-for-1 on fourth down). That means the Bulldogs were really getting it done on first and second down, keeping drives moving quickly.

Meanwhile, GVSU was 0-for-5 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down. In the game, the Lakers went a disappointing 0-for-10 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down.

Without keeping drives going, the Lakers manage 276 yards of offense, compared with 532 for Ferris State, including 299 yards rushing.

Tough finish, great season

It will take a while to sink in, but it was a great season for the Lakers.

GVSU had just two losses and both game to the No. 1-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs.

While two losses to the No. 1 team sounds like an extremely successful season, it won't feel that way for the GVSU players, especially the seniors.

They proved to be one of the best teams in the country. Unfortunatley, the top team was in their region, giving them an earlier matchup in the playoffs.

Who knows how far the Lakers could have made it if they were not in Ferris State's region?

But to be the best, you have to beat the best.

It didn't happen this season for GVSU, but this team proved the Lakers have returned to being NCAA title contenders, and aren't going anywhere.

— Contact Sports Editor Dan D'Addona at Dan.D'Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU football eliminated by Ferris State in playoffs: 3 takeaways