Ferris State Bulldogs football

The Ferris State Bulldogs football team represents Ferris State University in NCAA Division II college football. The Bulldogs began playing football in 1900, and compete as members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Ferris State's home games are played on campus at Top Taggart Field located in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Ferris State Bulldogs football
First season	1900; 125 years ago (1900)
Athletic director	Steve Brockelbank
Head coach	Tony Annese 13th season, 137–21 (.867)
Stadium	Top Taggart Field[1] (capacity: 6,200)
Year built	1957
Location	Big Rapids, Michigan
NCAA division	Division II
Conference	GLIAC
Claimed national titles	3 (2021, 2022, 2024)
Colors	Crimson and gold[2]
Website	ferrisstatebulldogs.com/fball

Ferris State has won three NCAA Division II football championships, in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The 2018 team also advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game, losing by two points to Valdosta State. In 12 seasons under head coach Tony Annese (2012-2019, 2021-2024), the Bulldogs have compiled a 137–21 record and have been ranked among the top ten Division II teams every years since 2015.

Conference history

• 1899–1937: Independent
• 1938–1941: Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference
• 1946–1955: Independent
• 1956–1973: NAIA independent
• 1974–1989: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
• 1990–1998: Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference
• 1999–present: Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Championships

National championships

Year	Association	Division	Head coach	Record	Opponent	Result
2021	NCAA (3)	Division II (3)	Tony Annese	14–0 (7–0 GLIAC)	Valdosta State	W, 58–17
2022				14–1 (5–1 GLIAC)	Colorado Mines	W, 41–14
2024				14–1 (7–0 GLIAC)	Valdosta State	W, 49–14

Rivalries

Davenport

The Calder City Classic is the name given to the Davenport–Ferris State football rivalry. The winner of the game receives the Calder City Classic trophy, with the series and trophy named for Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids. The first game played under the Calder City Classic name was the 2024 match-up.^[3] Every third game in the series will be held at a neutral site in Grand Rapids.^[4]

Grand Valley State

The Anchor–Bone Classic is the name given to the Ferris State–Grand Valley State football rivalry. The first Anchor–Bone Classic was played in 2003 while the overall series dates back to 1972. The winning team receives the Anchor–Bone Trophy. Heading into the 2024 game, Ferris State leads the overall series while Grand Valley State leads the trophy series 14–11.^[5]

Top Taggart Field

Top Taggart Field

Location	1215 Campus Drive Big Rapids, Michigan
Capacity	6,200
Opened	1957

Top Taggart Field is an American football stadium located in Big Rapids, Michigan with a seating capacity of 6,200. Located on the campus of Ferris State University, it is the home venue for the Ferris State Bulldogs football team. The stadium is named after W. C. "Top" Taggart, a former halfback for the Bulldogs and the program's first official head coach.^[1] Top Taggart Field features the Wheeler Pavilion, a three-story facility located on the stadium's west side that features club rooms, media rooms, and a ticket office; construction began in 2001.^[6]

On August 29, 2024, university president Bill Pink announced plans to construct new residence halls that will wrap around the stadium behind the north end zone. The residence halls are expected to open in August 2026.^[7]