The Ferris State University football squad hosts the Mercyhurst Lakers this Thursday (Aug. 31) in the 2023 season opener under the lights at FSU's Top Taggart Field.

The two-time defending national champion Bulldogs, who are the nation's preseason #1 team, will kickoff the campaign on their home field with game time set for 8 P.M. (ET).

This Thursday will represent "Community Night" and take place as part of FSU's annual Founders Day celebration.

Tickets for Thursday's game can be bought online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets and fans are encouraged to purchase their digital tickets in advance to avoid the gameday lines. The Wheeler Pavilion Gameday Ticket Office will also open on Thursday starting at 6 P.M. (ET). For more information on ticket sales, please call (231) 591-2888 or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.

Football tickets for Thursday's game are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens (ages 65+) and FSU faculty/staff along with $10 for students age 5-17. Ferris students with ID will be admitted free by showing their student identification cards.

As part of Community Night, Ferris State will offer a $5 discount on all tickets on game night to fans who present a ticket stub or program from the Big Rapids High School contest versus Newaygo, which kicks off at 6 p.m. (ET) at Cardinal Stadium. The ticket discount can be redeemed in person upon arrival at the Wheeler Pavilion Ticket Office at Top Taggart Field.

Tailgating will be permitted on Thursday starting at 5 P.M. (ET) with the gates to the stadium opening 90 minutes prior to kickoff at6:30 p.m. (ET). All tailgating must end 15 minutes before kickoff.

Parking in lots near Top Taggart Field is $10 per car or $30 per oversized vehicle (bus, motor coach, motor home, trailer, etc.) on a first-come, first-served basis. As a convenience to fans, credit cards will also be accepted at the ticket window along with the concession stand.

The FSU-Mercyhurst football game will be broadcast live locally by the Bulldog Sports Network and Sunny 97.3 FM with Rob Bentley handling the play-by-play duties and Sandy Gholston offering color commentary. The Bulldog Tailgate Show starts at 6 P.M. (ET) with the Johnson Automotive Pregame Show from inside the stadium beginning at 7 P.M. The contest will also be televised on FloSports and FloFootball with video coverage provided by Ferris State Television.

For more information on the contest, please visit the Gameday Information page at this link: Gameday Information