The nationally top-ranked Ferris State University football squad showed the heart of a champion on Saturday (Oct. 14) in the Anchor-Bone Classic, but the Bulldogs could not overcome a rough start and fell to rival and fourth-ranked Grand Valley State 49-28 before a sold out crowd at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale.

The Lakers jumped in front big early and held a 35-0 lead with 12:34 remaining in the first half before FSU responded. The Bulldogs scored 28 consecutive points to pull back within a score at the end of three quarters before the Lakers put together a much-needed TD drive push the margin back to two scores early in the final quarter while holding on for the win.

Ferris State outgained Grand Valley State offensively by a slim margin, totaling 438 yards compared to 433 for GVSU. FSU, though, could not overcome three turnovers and 129 penalty yards in dropping to 4-2 overall this season.

The Lakers opened the scoring in the first period as quarterback Cade Peterson found receiver Cody Tierney on a 36-yard scoring throw on GVSU's first offensive play. The Lakers added another TD throw from quarterback Avery Moore to wideout Kyle Nott with 6:10 to go in the frame, making it 14-0 after the first period.

In the second quarter, Grand Valley State capitalized on the momentum, scoring three TD's in a span of less than two minutes to extend the lead to 35-0 . Moore raced to the endzone early in the period on a 37-yard TD carry. Soon after, GVSU got the ball back and Peterson hooked up with Tierney again on a 15-yard TD connection. The Lakers also got a 20-yard pick six as part of the flurry.

The Bulldogs got it going offensively midway thru the second quarter, driving 70 yards in nine plays with quarterback Carson Gulker finding wideout Xavier Wade on a 24-yard scoring throw to put FSU on the board.

Ferris State got the ball back after a defensive stop and moved 55 yards in eight plays to cut the margin to 35-14 on Gulker's 16-yard scoring throw to Tyrese Hunt-Thompson. FSU then took advantage of a GVSU fumble late in the half to make it 35-21 at the break following a 37-yard scoring run from Deion Small.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit down to a single score as senior quarterback Mylik Mitchell re-entered the game and engineered a seven-play, 53-yard jaunt, cutting the margin to 35-28 on a 10-yard throw to Hunt-Thompson.

The Bulldogs had opportunities in the second half to potentially cut further into the lead, but Grand Valley State finally ended the FSU scoring streak with a nine-play, 89-yard march that ended on Moore's 44-yard TD run with 13 minutes to play, pushing the margin back to two scores. The Lakers later added a 16-yard scoring pass from Peterson late in the game.

Mitchell completed 17-of-29 throws for FSU for 195 yards and a score while Gulker completed 10-of-16 passes for 188 yards and two scores. Hunt-Thompson led the FSU receivers with eight catches for 138 yards and CJ Jefferson caught seven balls for 103 yards. Wade added four catches for 95 yards and Small paced FSU on the ground with 40 yards on two carries before leaving the game due to an injury that stopped the game following a collision with a GVSU tackler.

For Grand Valley State, Moore produced 126 yards and two TD's on nine carries. Peterson completed 15-of-25 passes for 151 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, Tierney hauled in four catches for 74 total yards.

The Bulldog defensive was led by the trio of Justin Payoute, Major Dedmond and Lento Smith, who all had eight stops apiece.

Ferris State will look to bounce back next Saturday, Oct. 21, as FSU visits Michigan Tech for a 1 p.m. (ET) league encounter in Houghton, Mich.