The Anchor-Bone Classic Takes Place Saturday!

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football team will square off against nationally top-ranked Grand Valley State with a share of first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) on the line in the Anchor-Bone Classic this Saturday (Oct. 23) afternoon at FSU's Top Taggart Field.

A large crowd is expected for the West Michigan rivalry contest, which kicks off at 2 p.m. (EDT) in Big Rapids.  Fans are encouraged to "arrive early, cheer loud and wear crimson!".

In an effort to help accomodate the large crowd and ease traffic congestion, stadium parking lots will open for tailgating starting at 10 a.m. (ET).  Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis at $5 per vehicle or $10 for motor homes and vehicles longer than 22 feet. 

Tailgating will be permitted only in lots 3, 35, 36 and 37 to the west and north of the stadium.

The ticket gates will open at 11 a.m. (ET) with the gates to the stadium opening at 12:30 p.m. (ET).

General admission tickets for this premium game are $10 adults or $7 students (K-12), senior citizens and FSU faculty/staff. Ferris students with ID will be admitted free as will children not yet of school age. Additionally, entertainment book coupons will be redeemable based on availability.

Tickets can also be bought online at www.startickets.com.  For additional ticket information, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888.

Saturday's contest also coincides with the Paint Big Rapids Pink event, a week-long initiative to raise money for breast cancer research via the local Susan P. Wheatlake Foundation.  A number of pink-related promotions in support of this important initiative will take place during the game.

In conjunction with Paint Big Rapids Pink Week, both teams will be wearing pink ribbon decals on their helmets.  Coaches from both institutions will also be supporting the cause as well with pink ribbons.  Halftime activities will feature a check presentation and a "Save the Cups, Toss the Saucers" frisbee event.  Five hundred pink frisbees will be thrown onto Top Taggert Field at a pink target with the winner receiving a free i-pod compliments of Huntington Bank. 

The Anchor Bone Trophy, which is sponsored by Huntington Bank, is awarded annually to the winner of the Ferris State-Grand Valley State football game. The trophy debuted in 2002 and GVSU has maintained possession of the trophy the last seven years with four home wins in Allendale along with three at Top Taggart Field.

The Bulldogs currently own a 5-2 overall record and are 5-1 in the GLIAC.  Meanwhile, top-ranked Grand Valley State enters Saturday's tilt with a 7-0 mark and is 6-0 in conference play.

GVSU holds a 25-12-1 all-time series' advantage entering Saturday's showdown and has won nine consecutive meetings between the two schools.  The Lakers will be making their second consecutive trip to Big Rapids following a narrow 17-10 win over the Bulldogs a season ago (9/19/09) when GVSU scored the game-winning touchdown with only 4:13 left in the contest.

Saturday's game will also be carried live locally by WYBR (102.3 FM) with Jason DaDay handling the play-by-play duties and Sandy Gholston offering color commentary.  A live video and audio webcast will be available through America One for a charge of $7 on FSU's Athletics Website at www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com (click on America One icon) and live internet statistics will also be offered.