The Ferris State Bulldogs football program, 1990–1999 represented Ferris State University during the 1990s in NCAA Division II college football as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) and, starting in 1999, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The team was led by head coaches Keith Otterbein (1986–1994) and Jeff Pierce (1995–2011). From 1992 to 1996, Ferris State won five consecutive MIFC championships and advanced each year to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Highlights included:
- The 1992 team compiled a 10–3 record, finished in a four-way tie for the MIFC championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, losing to New Haven in the second round.
- The 1993 team compiled a 9–1–2, won the MIFC championship, and lost to Indiana (PA) in the Division II playoffs.
- The 1994 team compiled an 11–1 record, won the MIFC championship, and lost to Indiana (PA) in the Division II quarterfinals.
- The 1995 team compiled a 12–1, won the MIFC championship, and lost to national champion North Alabama in the Division II semifinals.
- The 1996 team compiled a 10–2 record, won the MIFC championship, and lost to Clarion in a Division II quarterfinal playoff game.
The team played its home games at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Decade overview
Year
|
Head coach
|
Overall record
|
Conf. record
|
Conf. rank
|
Points scored
|
Points against
|
Delta
|
1990 |
Keith Otterbein |
6–4–1 |
5–4–1 |
T4 |
245 |
203 |
+42
|
1991 |
Keith Otterbein |
5–6 |
5–5 |
T4 |
174 |
218 |
-44
|
1992 |
Keith Otterbein |
10–3 |
8–2 |
T1 |
308 |
165 |
+143
|
1993 |
Keith Otterbein |
9–1–2 |
8–0–2 |
1 |
359 |
159 |
+200
|
1994 |
Keith Otterbein |
11–1 |
10–0 |
1 |
365 |
218 |
+147
|
1995 |
Jeff Pierce |
12–1 |
10–0 |
1 |
440 |
280 |
+160
|
1996 |
Jeff Pierce |
10–2 |
9–1 |
1 |
334 |
209 |
+125
|
1997 |
Jeff Pierce |
3–7 |
3–7 |
T7 |
222 |
243 |
-21
|
1998 |
Jeff Pierce |
5–6 |
5–5 |
T6 |
355 |
346 |
+9
|
1999 |
Jeff Pierce |
7–3 |
7–2 |
T1 |
473 |
262 |
+211
|
TOTAL |
|
78–34–3 |
70–26–3 |
|
|
|
1990
The 1990 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University (GVSU) as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1990 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth season under head coach Keith Otterbein, the Bulldogs compiled a 6–4–1 record (5–4–1 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIFC, and outscored opponents by a total of 245 to 203.[1]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
September 1 | at Michigan Tech | Houghton, MI | W 30–19 | 3,201 |
|
September 8 | at Ashland | Ashland, OH | L 20–22 | |
|
September 15 | Hillsdale | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 14–10 | |
|
September 22 | at Wayne State (MI) | Detroit, MI | L 17–29 | |
|
September 29 | Northern Michigan | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| T 14–14 | |
|
October 6 | at Valparaiso | Valparaiso, IN | W 38–13 | |
|
October 13 | at Grand Valley State | Allendale, MI | L 12–42 | |
|
October 20 | Butler | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 27–18 | |
|
October 27 | at Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | W 29–15 | |
|
November 3 | Saginaw Valley State | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| L 14–21 | |
|
November 10 | Saint Joseph's (IN) | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 30–0 | |
|
1991
The 1991 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University (GVSU) as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1991 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth season under head coach Keith Otterbein, the Bulldogs compiled a 5–6 record (5–6 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIFC, and were outscored by a total of 218 to 174.[1]
Schedule
1992
The 1992 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University (GVSU) as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1992 NCAA Division II football season. In their seventh season under head coach Keith Otterbein, the Bulldogs compiled a 10–3 record (8–2 in conference games), tied for the MIFC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 308 to 165.[1]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
September 5 | vs. Northwood | Auburn, MI | W 33–10 | |
|
September 12 | at Ashland | Ashland, OH | L 7–15 | |
|
September 19 | Hillsdale | | L 14–36 | |
|
September 26 | at Wayne State (MI) | Detroit, MI | W 21–3 | |
|
October 3 | Northern Michigan | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 23–12 | |
|
October 10 | at Valparaiso | Valparaiso, IN | W 33–3 | |
|
October 17 | at Grand Valley State | Allendale, MI | W 23–0 | |
|
October 24 | Butler | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 35–7 | |
|
October 31 | at Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | W 54–13 | |
|
November 7 | Saginaw Valley State | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 10–9 | |
|
November 14 | Saint Joseph's | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 23–7 | |
|
November 21 | Edinboro | | W 19–15 | |
|
November 28 | at New Haven | New Haven, CT (NCAA Division II quarterfinal) | L 13–35 | |
|
1993
The 1993 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University (GVSU) as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1993 NCAA Division II football season. In their eighth season under head coach Keith Otterbein, the Bulldogs compiled a 9–1–2 record (8–0–2 in conference games), won the MIFC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 359 to 159.[1]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
September 4 | at Edinboro* | Edinboro, PA | W 23–9 | |
|
September 11 | Ashland | Big Rapids, MI | W 20–6 | |
|
September 18 | at Hillsdale | Hillsdale, MI | T 13–13 | |
|
September 25 | Wayne State (MI) | Big Rapids, MI | W 36–6 | |
|
October 2 | at Northern Michigan | Marquette, MI | W 47–0 | |
|
October 9 | Saint Francis (IL) | Big Rapids, MI | W 26–18 | |
|
Otober 16 | Grand Valley State | Big Rapids, MI | T 17–17 | |
|
October 23 | at Northwood | Midland, MI | W 47–0 | |
|
October 30 | Indianapolis | Big Rapids, MI | W 40–26 | |
|
November 6 | at Saginaw Valley State | University Center, MI | W 34–23 | |
|
November 13 | at Saint Joseph's (IN) | Rensselaer, IN | W 35–13 | |
|
November 20 | at IUP* | Indiana, PA (NCAA Division II first round) | L 21–28 | |
|
|
1994
The 1994 Ferris State Bulldogs football team represented Ferris State University (GVSU) as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1994 NCAA Division II football season. In their ninth season under head coach Keith Otterbein, the Bulldogs compiled an 11–1 record (10–0 in conference games), won the MIFC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 365 to 218. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they defeated West Chester in the first round before losing to IUP in the quarterfinals.[1]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
September 10 | at Ashland | Ashland, OH | W 16–14 | |
|
September 17 | Indianapolis | | W 44–7 | |
|
September 24 | Hillsdale | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 14–10 | |
|
October 1 | at Grand Valley State | Allendale, MI | W 27–21 | |
|
October 8 | Northern Michigan | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 41–21 | |
|
October 15 | at Wayne State (MI) | Detroit, MI | W 34–14 | |
|
October 22 | Northwood | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 52–16 | |
|
October 29 | at Michigan Tech | Houghton, MI | W 30–19 | |
|
November 5 | Saint Joseph's (IN) | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 17–7 | |
|
November 12 | at Saginaw Valley State | University Center, MI | W 30–28 | |
|
November 19 | West Chester | | W 43–40 | |
|
November 26 | IUP | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II quarterfinal)
| L 17–21 | |
|
1995
The 1995 Ferris State Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Ferris State University as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1995 NCAA Division II football season. In their first year under head coach Jeff Pierce, the Bulldogs compiled a 10–0 record in the regular season. They defeated Millersville and New Haven in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division II playoffs, ultimately losing to national champion North Alabama in the semifinals.[2]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
September 9 | Ashland | No. 9 | Big Rapids, MI | W 20–13 | | [3]
|
September 16 | at Indianapolis | No. 4 | Indianapolis, IN | W 50–0 | |
|
September 23 | at Hillsdale | No. 4 | Hillsdale, MI | W 17–10 | |
|
September 30 | No. 12 Grand Valley State | No. 5 | Big Rapids, MI | W 30–21 | | [4]
|
October 7 | at Northern Michigan | No. 5 | Marquette, MI | W 41–27 | | [5]
|
October 14 | Wayne State (MI) | No. 4 | Big Rapids, MI | W 39–30 | |
|
October 21 | at Northwood | No. 4 | Midland, MI | W 56–14 | |
|
October 28 | Michigan Tech | No. 3 | Big Rapids, MI | W 38–17 | | [6]
|
November 4 | at Saint Joseph's (IN) | No. 3 | Rensselaer, IN | W 43–26 | | [7]
|
November 11 | Saginaw Valley State | No. 3 | Big Rapids, MI | W 46–42 | | [8]
|
November 18 | No. 14 Millersville* | No. 3 | Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II first round) | W 36–26 | | [9]
|
November 25 | No. 5 New Haven* | No. 3 | Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II quarterfinal) | W 17–9 | | [10]
|
December 2 | at No. 1 North Alabama* | No. 3 | Florence, AL (NCAA Division II semifinal) | L 7–45 | 7,866 | [11]
|
|
[2]
1996
The 1996 Ferris State Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Ferris State University as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1996 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Jeff Pierce, the Bulldogs compiled a 10–2 record (9–1 in conference games), won the MIFC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 334 to 209. They defeated IUP in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, ultimately losing to Clarion in the quarterfinals.[2]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
August 29 | at Ashland | Ashland, OH | W 26–0 | |
|
September 7 | Indianapolis | Big Rapids, MI | W 30–19 | |
|
September 14 | Hillsdale | Big Rapids, MI | W 20–7 | |
|
September 21 | at Grand Valley State | Allendale, MI | L 17–36 | |
|
September 28 | Northern Michigan | Big Rapids, MI | W 38–33 | |
|
October 5 | at Wayne State (MI) | Detroit, MI | W 26–7 | |
|
October 12 | Northwood | Big Rapids, MI | W 40–24 | |
|
October 19 | at Michigan Tech | Houghton, MI | W 31–6 | |
|
November 2 | at Saginaw Valley State | University Center, MI | W 26–17 | |
|
November 9 | at St. Francis (IL) | Joliet, IL | W 35–14 | |
|
November 23 | IUP* | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II first round)
| W 24–23 | |
|
November 30 | Clarion* | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI (NCAA Division II quarterfinal)
| L 21–23 | |
|
|
[2]
1997
The 1997 Ferris State Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Ferris State University as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1997 NCAA Division II football season. In their third year under head coach Jeff Pierce, the Bulldogs compiled a 3–7 record (3–7 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for seventh place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 243 to 222.[2]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
August 28 | Ashland | Big Rapids, MI | L 7–26 | |
|
September 6 | at Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | L 21–32 | |
|
September 13 | at Hillsdale | Hillsdale, MI | W 35–21 | |
|
September 20 | Grand Valley State | Big Rapids, MI | L 18–21 | |
|
September 27 | at Northern Michigan | Marquette, MI | L 21–23 | |
|
October 4 | Wayne State (MI) | Big Rapids, MI | L 26–30 | |
|
October 11 | at Northwood | Midland, MI | W 31–17 | |
|
October 18 | Michigan Tech | Big Rapids, MI | L 24–34 | |
|
November 1 | Saginaw Valley State | Big Rapids, MI | W 24–23 | |
|
November 8 | St. Francis (IL) | Big Rapids, MI | L 15–16 | |
|
1998
The 1998 Ferris State Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Ferris State University as a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC) during the 1998 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Jeff Pierce, the Bulldogs compiled a 5–6 record (5–5 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for sixth in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 355 to 346.[2]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|
September 5 | at Winona State* | Winona, MN | L 10–17 | |
|
September 12 | Saginaw Valley State | | L 20–34 | |
|
September 19 | at Findlay | Findlay, OH | L 7–24 | |
|
September 26 | at Northwood | Midland, MI | L 21–35 | |
|
October 3 | Northern Michigan | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 29–19 | |
|
October 10 | Wayne State (MI) | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 37–13 | |
|
October 17 | at Ashland | Ashland, OH | L 37–59 | |
|
October 24 | at Michigan Tech | Houghton, MI | W 67–46 | |
|
October 31 | Hillsdale | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| W 24–21 | |
|
November 7 | at St. Francis (IL) | Joliet, IL | W 50–22 | |
|
November 14 | Grand Valley State | - Top Taggart Field
- Big Rapids, MI
| L 53–56 | |
|
|
1999
The 1999 Ferris State Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Ferris State University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 1999 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth year under head coach Jeff Pierce, the Bulldogs compiled a 7–3 record (7–2 in conference games), tied with Northwood for the GLIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 473 to 262.[2]
Schedule
[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Ferris State Yearly Results (1990-1994)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Ferris State Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Ferris holds on, 20-13". Lansing State Journal. September 10, 1995. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Don VanderVeen (October 1, 1995). "Ferris' unbeaten streak extends to 33". The Detroit News. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ferris stays undefeated, 41-27". Lansing State Journal. October 8, 1995. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ferris State stays unbeaten with 38-17 win". Battle Creek Enquirer. October 29, 1995. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ferris State rolls, clinches fourth straight league title". The Detroit News. November 5, 1995. p. 11D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ferris State rallies past Saginaw Valley". Lansing State Journal. November 12, 1995. p. 7G – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ferris State ousts Millersville, 36-26". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 19, 1995. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ferris earns berth in semifinals, 17-9". Lansing State Journal. November 26, 1995. p. 6E.
- ^ Tom Markowski (December 3, 1995). "Ferris State out, swallowed in semis". The Detroit News. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "North Dakota State defeats Ferris". The Herald-Palladium. September 3, 1999. Retrieved October 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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Venues | |
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championships in bold |