BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Wildcats traveled to two-time reigning national champions Ferris State on Saturday, falling 78-3. 

The Bulldogs jumped on the board early, cashing in a 3-play, 66-yard drive on a 15-yard run from Mylik Mitchell. The Bulldogs would make it a two-score game the next play they touched the ball, with Mitchell finding wideout Xavier Wade from 35 yards out after a blocked punt to make it 13-0 four minutes into the game. 

The Wildcats started to move the ball on the following possession, including a 15-yard scramble from Mariano Valenti. Looking to gather some momentum, NMU was stopped short on a 4th-and-1 attempt, turning the ball over on downs. 

Another start in NMU territory for FSU led to a Carson Gulkner TD at the goal line to make it 20-0. The Bulldogs would find the endzone one more time in the opening quarter on a 38-yard completion to Wade, his second score of the game. 

The Wildcats showed glimpses of moving the ball but were not able to maintain that drive once they crossed midfield. The Bulldogs would score three more times from Trinidad Chambliss, Emari O'Brien, and Wade to make it 48-0 with five minutes left in the half. 

NMU again moved the ball and got on the board late in the half on a 42-yard field goal from Mike Karlen. FSU's Chambliss would get his second score, a 68-yard run in the closing seconds of the half, making it 55-3 at intermission.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs added two more scores from Gulkner and Zamir Lundy-Knighten. A safety made the score 71-3 after three. 

The Bulldogs found the endzone one more time in the final quarter for a 78-3 final score. 

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the 78 points conceded ties a program-high, while FSU's 497 yards in the ground is the most an NMU football team has given up.  


Up Next
The Wildcats will have another trip downstate in order next weekend as they'll head to Davenport to clash with the Panthers on Saturday, October 7. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.