Ferris State stuns GVSU with late rally behind Gulker's emergence
ALLENDALE - Carson Gulker’s sensational season continues.
The Zeeland West graduate scored two touchdowns to help the Ferris State University football team beat Grand Valley State 24-21 on a frigid Saturday afternoon in the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
“It is the best feeling you could ask for,” said Gulker, a redshirt freshman quarterback. “Never been a part of a game that fun in my life.”
Ferris State (12-1), the reigning national champions, got an 18-yard field goal from Eddie Jewett with 1:04 remainin in the game to win it.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the Lakers (12-1), the No. 1 team in the nation, who lose their only game this season.
“This is going to hurt for a while,” GVSU quarterback Cade Peterson said. “But we have to take the success and the experiences that we had this year and not take it for granted. Going 12-0 and winning the GLIAC title … is the first time doing that for a lot of the guys. I’m proud (of this season).”
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Grand Valley had a punt blocked in the final seconds of the first quarter. Ferris State recovered inside the GVSU 5-yard line. One play later, Gulker ran the ball in from 3-yards out.
“For me, it’s inexcusable to have a punt blocked,” GVSU coach Matt Mitchell said.
Avery Moore, GVSU’s backup quarterback/wildcat QB, scored the Laker’s first two touchdowns. He scored on an 8-yard run with 11:44 to go in the second quarter. And he scored on another 8-yard run with 4:49 left in the quarter to give the Lakers a 14-7 lead at halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, Ferris State’s starting quarterback, Mylik Mitchell, ran the ball in from 8-yards out to tie the score at 14-14.
GVSU defensive back Antonio Strong intercepted a pass with 12:20 left in the game off a tipped pass. He ran it back to the 2-yard line. One play later, Tariq Reid ran the ball in for a touchdown and give the Lakers a 21-14 lead. Strong is a senior from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School.
“Really proud of Antonio Strong,” Mitchell said. “He’s a sixth-year senior. He’s been through a lot. He was in position to make the play. His return got us down to the 2-yard line. I’m happy for him. I have a ton of respect for him.”
Gulker had his turn again with 6:16 left in the game. He scored on a 2-yard run to tie the game at 21-21. He is technically the Ferris backup quarterback. But they usually bring him in when the Bulldogs are inside the 10-yard line.
“The atmosphere of that game is incredible and getting to punch a couple touchdowns in there was awesome,” Gulker said. “Just happy I could do my job to help the team win.”
Jewett booted the field goal for the eventual game winner to seal it.
GVSU had 1:04 to march down the field but the Ferris defense was too good. And, with 11 seconds left and the Lakers at the Ferris 35-yard line, the Lakers had an injured player on the field. They didn’t have a timeout, so they referees issued a 10-second run off. That gave GVSU one second to chuck up a Hail Mary pass. Peterson’s pass was picked off in the end zone.
“I’m frustrated that these guys made it this far and we couldn’t ourselves to a Final Four,” Mitchell said.
GVSU beat Ferris State 22-21 earlier in the year. But Ferris State knocks the Lakers out of the playoffs for the second-straight season.
More:How No. 2 GVSU stunned No. 1 Ferris State with thrilling finish
“It’s not something that’s enjoyable,” Peterson said. “But you have to give them credit because they’re a good football team. We have to not take this loss and chalk it up to a bad season. Because we accomplished a lot of really good things. At the end of the day, I’m still proud of our seniors, the guys in the locker room, the coaching staff … this entire year I’ve had the most fun playing football in my entire life.”
Peterson was 15-of-29 passing for 190 yards. Reid had 17 carries for 78 yards. His touchdown was the 18th of the season, which is second in the GLIAC. Ferris State’s Mitchell was13-of-27 passing for 118 yards. He also had 16 carries for 102 yards.
Gulker is a big weapon for Ferris
Carson Gulker went to Ferris State as a quarterback. But the redshirt freshman has become more valuable for his legs than his arm.
Gulker, who is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, scored two rushing touchdowns on Saturday. He now has 25 rushing touchdowns, which sets the school record. He has a team-leading 160 carries for 800 yards, which is an average of 5.1 yards per carry. His 25 touchdowns leads the GLIAC and is Top 5 in the nation.
“I had no idea I was even close to that record,” Gulker said. “It’s an honor for sure.”
The record was held by former Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan, who had 24 rushing touchdowns.
Gulker still passes, too.
He is 45-of-76 attempts for 697 yards, which is third on the team. He leads the team with an average of 9.2 yards per throw and has connected for four passing touchdowns.
Big lineman catches a pass
You don’t see many passes caught by a player in a number 99 jersey.
Nate Umlor, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive lineman, caught a nine-yard pass from Cade Peterson in the second quarter. It is the first reception in his career.
Umlor, a graduate of Allendale High School, spent the first three years of his college career at the University of Minnesota. He has 14 tackles and three sacks this season.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ferris State stuns GVSU with late rally behind Gulker's emergence
