Defending National Champion Ferris State Officially Opens Spring Football Practice

Big Rapids, Mich. - Four-time NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University, which has reached the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs a nation-leading 11 consecutive years to date, officially opened spring football practice on Friday (March 20) as the Bulldogs begin preparations for its 2026 gridiron campaign.

FSU held its first spring workout at Top Taggart Field under sunny skies and temperatures in the 50's. FSU will hold its second official practice of the spring on Saturday at noon, adjusting the slate due to expected rain and wet weather potential on Sunday.

The Bulldogs will begin their 117th season of varsity competition this coming fall with their sights set on making a 12th consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Bulldogs have made seven national semifinal appearances along with five trips to the national championship game in addition to back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 along with 2024 and 2025 during the stretch.

Head coach Tony Annese and his Bulldog staff will have the NCAA-allotted total of 15 practices, which will include the annual Crimson and Gold Spring Game on Friday, April 24, at FSU's Top Taggart Field. FSU will generally work out three times per week throughout the spring session.

FSU will conduct a varied spring practice schedule that runs over the course of five weeks leading up to the spring game. The spring schedule is subject to change depending on the weather.

Over the past five seasons of action, the Bulldogs own a 66-5 overall record and FSU has reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs 11 consecutive years and counting. Ferris State has also reached the NCAA Division II National Semifinals seven times in the past nine seasons of action and ranks as the country's winningest program over the past 11 full seasons in D2 Football. FSU is 93-7 over the last six seasons of on-field action, including back-to-back NCAA D2 National Championships in 2021 and 2022 along with 2024 and 2025.

Ferris State also holds the GLIAC's best mark and the best overall record of all collegiate programs in Michigan at 153-21 (.879) overall since the arrival of Annese as head coach in 2012.

Visit the links below for coverage from the first spring practice:

Interview - Coach Annese 
Interview - QB Wyatt Bower 
Interview - LB Jerek Fields 
Practice Highlights 
Practice Photo Gallery