Newberry Ferris State 49-17: Bulldogs dominate semifinal with six turnovers forced, punch championship game ticket

Ferris State Bulldogs dominated Newberry Wolves with a dominant 49-17 semifinal victory Saturday afternoon at Big Rapids. The top-seeded Bulldogs remain undefeated at 15-0 and secured their ticket to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.

Historic Playoff Performance Continues Ferris State’s Dominance

The top-seeded Ferris State Bulldogs dismantled Newberry in their NCAA Division II semifinal matchup, putting on a dominant display of power football. The victory marked Ferris State’s latest statement in their pursuit of a national championship.

Ferris State has now won every game this season with commanding performances. The Bulldogs maintained their undefeated status with an impressive 32-point margin of victory, showcasing the offensive firepower that has defined their 2025 campaign.

Rushing Attack Overwhelms Newberry Defense

The Ferris State rushing game proved nearly impossible to contain as the Bulldogs accumulated 368 rushing yards on the day. This dominant ground attack kept the Newberry defense constantly on its heels and controlled the pace of play throughout the contest.

Ferris State’s ability to establish the run game early forced Newberry into reactive defensive situations. The Bulldogs’ offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, creating running lanes that proved devastating for the Wolves’ defensive unit.

Statistic	Ferris State	Newberry
Final Score	49	17
Rushing Yards	368	TBA
Turnovers Forced	6	TBA
Record After Game	15-0	12-1

Defensive Pressure Creates Chaos for Newberry

Ferris State’s defensive unit forced six turnovers throughout the game, creating a relentless assault on the Newberry offense. Card turnovers consistently gave the Bulldog offense advantageous field position, allowing them to score efficiently throughout the contest.

The Bulldogs’ defensive scheme proved too complex for the Newberry offense to manage consistently. Each turnover seemed to accelerate Ferris State’s momentum, putting the Wolves in impossible situations on both sides of the ball.

“The Bulldogs forced six turnovers and rushed for 368 yards on offense to roll to a 49-17 win over Newberry in the D2 national semifinals.”

— MLive Sports, December 13, 2025

Path to Championship Game Set for December 20 in Texas

Ferris State will travel to McKinney, Texas for the NCAA Division II National Championship Game on December 20, 2025. The Bulldogs are seeking their fourth national title in five years, a remarkable achievement in college football.

The championship opponent will be determined by the second semifinal matchup between two other undefeated teams—Harding University and Kutztown University—both entering their matchup with perfect 14-0 records. Ferris State earned the number one seed and the prime positioning for the national stage.

Can Ferris State Complete Perfect Season and Win Fourth Title in Five Years?

The Bulldogs have established themselves as a championship-caliber program, with four national title appearances in the last five seasons. Ferris State’s consistency at the highest level of Division II football has been remarkable.

With one victory remaining, Ferris State stands just 60 minutes away from completing a perfect season. The combination of dominant offense, turnovers on defense, and experience in championship moments positions the Bulldogs as heavy favorites in the national final.

Sources

• NCAA.com – Official Division II football championship bracket and scores
• MLive Sports – Ferris State football coverage and game recap
• FloFootball – Real-time playoff updates and semifinal analysis