Ferris State football is looking to reach its third NCAA Division II National Championship in four years, but first, the Bulldogs must get past Slippery Rock in the D2 Playoff Semifinals today. 

The Bulldogs have been dominant in the postseason, beginning with a first-round bye before crushing Central Oklahoma 78-17 in the second round. Last week, Ferris State made quick work of defending champion Harding, rolling to a 41-7 victory. The Bulldogs are undefeated at home this season, with an 8-0 record in Big Rapids.

Slippery Rock enters this game having played one more contest than Ferris, but they’ve also been impressive in their own right. After a 14-7 win over New Haven in the first round, the Rock followed up with a thrilling 25-24 overtime victory against Kutztown, then powered past California (Pa.) 31-13, earning their first trip to the semifinals since 2019.

This marks the third semifinal appearance in Slippery Rock’s history, though they’ve fallen short in each of the previous two. In contrast, Ferris State won national championships in 2021 and 2022, and they’re aiming to join Northwest Missouri State (2013, 2015, 2016) with a third title in four years.

Ferris State vs. Slippery Rock kicks off Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Carson Gulker Returns?

Carson Gulker, who was Ferris State’s starting quarterback to start the season, gave his first interview this week since sustaining a significant injury two games into the season. Gulker was primed to be the primary engine behind a high-powered Bulldog offense this year, but then-back-up QB Trinidad Chambliss took the baton and ran, literally, with it. 

Chambliss has 22 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns this season. He’s been shortlisted for numerous awards and will no doubt be an All-American. In truth, he’s been one of the best players in all of college football this season. 

Now the kicker: Gulker had 10 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns last season as a back-up quarterback to Mylik Mitchell. He’s arguably as talented as Chambliss, and should he return this week or next week for the National Championship, he’s an absolute game-changer for the Bulldogs offense that is already bursting at the seams with talent.

Now, would Gulker play quarterback? It’s possible, but Chambliss certainly remains the starter. Maybe Gulker lines up in Wildcat? Maybe he’s used as a running back. Either way, the rich get richer. 

Watch 2024 Ferris State Games For Free On FloFootball’s YouTube

While you’re waiting, recap the Ferris State season by watching some full games from this past season. 

How To Watch Ferris State Football Vs. Slippery Rock

Ferris State vs. Slippery Rock will be broadcast on ESPN+.

FloFootball and FloCollege will be providing live coverage and analysis of the game.

Slippery Rock Football Schedule 2024

• Sep. 7 – Slippery Rock 22, University of New Haven 7 – Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa.
• Sep. 14 – Slippery Rock 20, Shepherd University 10 – Shepherdstown, W. Va.
• Sep. 21 – Slippery Rock 33, Shippensburg University 7 – Shippensburg, Pa.
• Sep. 28 – Slippery Rock 28, Edinboro 23 – Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa.
• Oct. 5 – Slippery Rock 33, #21 Indiana University (Pa.) 32 – Indiana, Pa.
• Oct. 12 – Slippery Rock 35, Gannon University 17 – Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa.
• Oct. 19 – California (Pa.) 28, Slippery Rock 7 – California, Pa.
• Oct. 31 – Slippery Rock 38, Clarion 22 – Clarion, Pa.
• Nov. 9 – Slippery Rock 38, Seton Hill University 20 – Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa.
• Nov. 16 – Slippery Rock 27, Bloomsburg University 7 – Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa.
• Nov. 23 – Slippery Rock 14, University of New Haven 7 – Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa. (NCAA First Round)
• Nov. 30 – Slippery Rock 25, #3 Kutztown University 24 (OT) – Kutztown, Pa. (NCAA Second Round)
• Dec. 7 – Slippery Rock 31, #20 California (Pa.) 13 – California, Pa. (NCAA Quarterfinals)
• Dec. 14 – Ferris State vs Slippery Rock – Big Rapids, Mich. (NCAA Semifinals)
• Dec. 21 – NCAA Division II National Championship Game – McKinney, Texas (TBA)

Ferris State Football Schedule 2024

• Aug. 31 – Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 19, Ferris State 3 – Pittsburg, Kan.
• Sep. 7 – Ferris State 56, Lake Erie 3 – Big Rapids, Mich.
• Sep. 14 – Ferris State 43, Ashland 3 – Big Rapids, Mich.
• Sep. 28 – Ferris State 84, American Int’l 7 – Springfield, Mass.
• Oct. 5 – Ferris State 55, Roosevelt 13 – Big Rapids, Mich. (Homecoming)
• Oct. 12 – Ferris State vs Wayne State – Detroit, Mich. (Game postponed, resumed Oct. 13)
• Oct. 13 – Ferris State 27, Wayne State 14 – Detroit, Mich.
• Oct. 19 – Ferris State 51, Michigan Tech 13 – Big Rapids, Mich.
• Oct. 26 – Ferris State 34, Grand Valley State 7 – Allendale, Mich. (Anchor-Bone Classic)
• Nov. 2 – Ferris State 55, Northern Michigan 9 – Marquette, Mich.
• Nov. 9 – Ferris State 27, Saginaw Valley State 24 – Big Rapids, Mich.
• Nov. 16 – Ferris State 24, Davenport 9 – Big Rapids, Mich.
• Nov. 30 – Ferris State 78, Central Oklahoma 17 – Big Rapids, Mich. (NCAA Second Round)
• Dec. 7 – Ferris State 41, Harding 7 – Big Rapids, Mich. (NCAA Quarterfinals)
• Dec. 14 – Ferris State vs Slippery Rock – Big Rapids, Mich. (NCAA Semifinals)
• Dec. 21 – NCAA Division II National Championship Game – McKinney, Texas (TBA)

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

• Slippery Rock def. California (Pa.), 31-13
• Ferris State def. Harding, 41-7
•  Valdosta State def. Virginia Union, 33-17
• Minnesota State def. Bemidji State, 27-23

Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 14

All Times Eastern

• Minnesota State vs. Valdosta State – 12:00 p.m.
• Slippery Rock vs. Ferris State – 3:30 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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