Ferris State football blows away West Florida, 38-17, for trip to Division II title game
Ferris State football is one win away from a repeat championship.
A dominating second half lifted the Bulldogs to a 38-17 win over West Florida on Saturday in Big Rapids in the Division II national semifinal. Ferris State (13-1) will take on either Shepherd (West Virginia) or Colorado School of Mines next Saturday in McKinney, Texas.
West Florida's touchdown and extra point with under two minutes left in the second quarter tied the game at 17, but after halftime, it was all Ferris State. Dez Lyburtus, Carson Gulker and Marcus Taylor all had scoring runs from inside the 10-yard line as the Bulldogs blanked West Florida, 21-0, in the second half.
Taylor led the Bulldogs rushing attack with 20 carriers for 181 yards and the one TD. Gulker added 64 yards rushing and three touchdowns as Ferris outgained West Florida on the ground, 309-113. Mylik Mitchell added 34 yards rushing and 91 yards passing.
On Friday, the NCAA disqualified Ferris State's leading wide receiver, Tyrese Hunt-Thompson, for the rest of the tournament. After last week's win over Grand Valley State, Hunt-Thompson struck someone with his helmet.
There has not been a repeat Division II football national champion since Northwest Missouri State did it in 2015-16.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ferris State football wins another trip to Division II title game
