FSU To Face Rival GVSU In Anchor-Bone Classic

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Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football team will host archrival and nationally top-ranked Grand Valley State in the Anchor-Bone Classic this Saturday (Sept. 19) evening at FSU's Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Mich.

A large crowd is expected for the game with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest between the two West Michigan rivals set to kickoff at 7 p.m. (EDT). 

In an effort to help accomodate the large crowd and ease traffic congestion, the FSU Athletics Department will be offering a free bus shuttle service running periodically from The Gate family and entertainment center parking lot on Perry Street in Big Rapids to the east side visitor's entrance to the stadium.  The shuttle will operate for two hours prior to kickoff and for one hour after the game.

The Anchor Bone Trophy, which is sponsored by Gameday sponsor Huntington Bank, is awarded annually to the winner of the Ferris State-Grand Valley State football game. The trophy debuted in 2002 and GVSU has maintained possession of the trophy the last six years with four home wins in Allendale along with two at Top Taggart Field.

Ferris' student government organization will be holding its second annual "Blues & BBQ" event prior to the contest, starting at 4:30 p.m. (EDT). Fans will be able to enjoy some of the area's finest all-you-can-eat BBQ as part of the pregame tailgate event.

In-game promotions will include such things as a t-shirt giveaway, Birkam Football giveaway, Synder's Certificates and Patterson's Bulldog Sweetheart of the Game.

The "Bulldog Challenge" kids area will also be set up in the northwest paved area of Top Taggart Field behind the home side north bleachers and be part of the day's activities.  The kids area will be sponsored by Sgt. Shawn Fries and the National Guard and feature such things as a mechanical rock wall, inflatable obstacle course and throwing contests.

Additionally, the "Puppy Pound" area for small children to run and play will be located in the turf practice area behind the north endzone.

Tickets will be available at the gate or for more information, please contact the FSU Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888. FSU tickets can also be bought online at www.startickets.com. General admission tickets for this premium game are $10 adults or $5 students (K-12), senior citizens and FSU faculty/staff. Ferris students with ID will be admitted free as will children not yet of school age.

GVSU holds a 24-12-1 all-time series' advantage entering Saturday's showdown and has won eight consecutive meetings between the two schools.  The Lakers will be making their first trip to Big Rapids since recording a 28-6 road win over the Bulldogs in 2006 (10/28) and it will represent only the third meeting between the two teams at Top Taggart Field in the last seven years. 

A year ago (9/20/08), the Lakers pulled out a 31-13 win over the Bulldogs in a battle of nationally-ranked teams before a record crowd of 14,612 fans at GVSU's Lubbers Stadium.

The Lakers own a 3-0 overall record to date this campaign and are unbeaten in GLIAC action (2-0) following an impressive 38-7 win over nationally 13th-ranked Saginaw Valley State this past Saturday (Sept. 12) evening in Allendale, Mich.  The victory was GVSU's 45th-straight regular season triumph and 42nd consecutive GLIAC win.  Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 1-2 overall and 0-2 in league play heading into Saturday's Anchor-Bone Classic.