Ferris State Dominates Rio Grande In Decisive 76-0 Homecoming Win

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Press Conference 
Postgame Breakdown 

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The nation's top-ranked Ferris State University football squad continued its big start to the season Saturday, overwhelming the University of Rio Grande 76-0 at Top Taggart Field on homecoming in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs (4-0) scored four first-quarter touchdowns and never looked back, piling up 404 yards of total offense while holding the RedStorm (0-1) to just 106 total yards. Ferris State finished with 11 touchdowns, including six on the ground, one through the air and three from its opportunistic defense and special teams.

Quarterbacks Wyatt Bower, Chase Carter and LeeShaun Mumpfield all contributed to the scoring barrage. Carter threw a five-yard touchdown pass and added a 28-yard scoring run, while Mumpfield rushed for two scores. Freshman Kevin Simes broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown, and senior Brady Rose added an eight-yard rushing score along with two catches for 44 yards.

The Bulldogs' defense smothered Rio Grande throughout the afternoon. Ferris State recorded five sacks and forced two turnovers and returned both for touchdowns — Justin Payoute's 17-yard fumble return and freshman Maurice Adams, Jr., 11-yard interception return on a pick six.

Special teams added fireworks as well. Taariik Brett electrified the home crowd with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff and the Bulldogs later came up with a blocked field goal, which was returned by defensive back Jeremiah Housey for a 75-yard score.

Rio Grande managed only one third-down conversion in 12 tries, finishing with just eight rushing yards on 29 attempts. Quarterbacks Keatin Emener, Ayden Ludolph and Peyton Molter combined to throw for 98 yards, but were under constant pressure.

Ferris State led 28-0 after one quarter, 42-0 at halftime and poured on 28 points in the third quarter before cruising to the finish. Both the third and fourth periods were shortened to 10-minute quarters.

The Bulldogs entertained a big homecoming crowd by winning their 18th consecutive game dating back to last season. FSU also improved to 4-0 on the year, completing a sweep of its non-conference opponents.

Key'Vell Cooper led the Bulldogs on the ground with 54 rushing yards while Carter added 39 yards and four carries. Bower was seven-of-11 in the air for 124 yards in limited action. Overall, FSU had 239 rushing yards on 36 tries in the win and the Bulldogs never punted in the game.

The FSU defense also limited the Red Storm to only eight total rushing yards on nine carries. Rio Grande went only one-of-12 on third down.

Ferris State will have a bye on the schedule next week before opening Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on the road at Roosevelt on Oct. 4.