Grand Valley and Ferris State on Collision Course in Division II Football Playoffs

Grand Valley State and Ferris State are the top two seeds in Super Region 4 of the NCAA Division II Championship Playoffs, and if both teams past early round tests, they will play each other again in the Regional Championship Game.

Grand Valley finished its first ever undefeated regular season (11-0) by edging Wayne State Sautrday in Detroit 24-21, to earn the top seed in the Region. They earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs which start this Saturday. The Lakers will host a playoff game Saturday, November 26 at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale against the winner of this Saturday's tussle between Texas A&M - Commerce and Colorado Mesa.

Ferris, meanwhile, earned the number two seed after finishing a 9-2 campaign by whipping Saginaw Valley 51-17 in Big Rapids, just a week after SVSU took GVSU into overtime before losing. Ferris will host Midwestern State of Texas this Saturday at Top Taggert Field. The game time has yet to be announced.

If both teams continue to win, they would play for the Regional Championship December 3 at Lubbers Stadium. GVSU won in the regular season, 35-23, and finshed first in the GLIAC North Division, just ahead of Ferris.

Last year, GVSU defeated Ferris in the second round of the Regional Playoffs, 38-34, ending Ferris' undefeated season.

Grand Valley State will be making its 18th all-time appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, including its seventh as the top seed in the region. Grand Valley State has captured four National Championships since 2001 (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and advanced to the NCAA Championship game six times. GVSU has won nine regional crowns and advanced to the NCAA DII Football semifinals nine times.

Ferris State's berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs will be its third straight under coach Tony Annese, and the eighth appearance in school history. The other five berths prior to the last three years all coming during a memorable five-year stretch from 1992-96.