Ferris State football selected as GLIAC favorite for 2025 season

GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced the results of its preseason football poll for 2025 on Thursday, July 31.

The rankings were determined by a vote of the league coaches.

Ferris State, the defending NCAA Division II national champions, was selected to win the 2025 conference crown, receiving six of eight first-place votes. The Bulldogs own a 50-5 record over the past four seasons, capturing three national titles in that span, and have made 10-straight postseason appearances. Led by 2024 GLIAC Coach of the Year and Walter Camp DII National Coach of the Year Tony Annese, Ferris State is preseason ranked No. 1 in the nation by Lindy’s Sports.

Grand Valley State, preseason ranked sixth nationally by Lindy’s Sports, received one first-place vote in the GLIAC poll and was voted to finish second. The Lakers posted an 11-2 overall record a year ago, advancing to the second round of the NCAA postseason.

Saginaw Valley State, which secured its fourth-consecutive winning season in 2024, also garnered one first-place vote and was selected third.

Davenport, which has compiled a total of 23 wins over the last three seasons, was chosen fourth with 31 points.

Michigan Tech was close behind in fifth place, receiving 28 points. The Huskies won seven games in 2024, the program's most since the 2015 season.

Wayne State (16), Roosevelt (12) and Northern Michigan (11) rounded out the 2025 GLIAC preseason poll.

GLIAC football action gets underway on Thursday, Aug. 28 with four Week Zero games on the schedule -- Ferris State vs. Pittsburg State, Michigan Tech vs. Bemidji State, Northern Michigan vs. Minnesota State Moorhead and Saginaw Valley State vs. Northeastern State. 

QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Record: 14-1 (National Champions)
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 7-0/1st
  • Returning Starters: Offense (6), Defense (6), Special Teams (3)
  • Head Coach: Tony Annese (13th season, 137-21)
  • Stadium: Top Taggart Field (6,200)
Ferris State won its third national title in the last four years in 2024, defeating Valdosta State, 49-14. The defending NCAA Division II champion Bulldogs enter the 2025 season ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to Lindy's Sports.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Record: 11-2 (NCAA Second Round)
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 6-1/2nd
  • Head Coach: Scott Wooster (3rd season, 22-4)
  • Stadium: Lubbers Stadium (10,440)
GVSU linebacker Anthony Cardamone was a force for the Lakers in 2024, leading the team in total tackles (80) en route to earning First Team All-GLIAC honors. He also added 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and one fumble recovery.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Overall Record: 7-4
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 4-3/T3rd
  • Returning Starters: Offense (9), Defense (3)
  • Head Coach: Ryan Brady (6th season, 33-22)
  • Stadium: Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium (6,800)
SVSU quarterback Mason McKenzie had a strong season in his first year as a full-time starter, leading the Cardinals in rushing (662) and passing (2,054) while scoring 20 touchdowns. His 2,716 total yards ranked second in the conference, earning him GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Overall Record: 7-4
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 4-3 (T3rd)
  • Returning Starters: Offense (7), Defense (9), Special Teams (1)
  • Head Coach: Sparky McEwen (9th season, 40-37)
  • Stadium: Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex (2,500)
Davenport quarterback D'Wan Mathis returns in 2025 after completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 580 yards and three scores in his first year with the program in 2024.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Overall Record: 7-4
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 4-3 (T3rd)
  • Returning Starters: Offense (10), Defense (7), Special Teams (2)
  • Head Coach: Dan Mettlach (3rd season, 12-9)
  • Stadium: Kearly Stadium (3,000)
Michigan Tech wide receiver Ethan Champney ranked third in the GLIAC in receiving yards in 2024, amassing 631 yards. He was named to the All-GLIAC First Team following the season.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Overall Record: 2-9
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 2-5/6th
  • Returning Starters: Offense (6), Defense (5), Special Teams (0)
  • Head Coach: Tyrone Wheatley (3rd season, 5-17)
  • Stadium: Tom Adams Field (6,439)
Quarterback Champion Edwards is Wayne State's leading returning passer (899 yards) and rusher (570 yards). Edwards earned All-GLIAC Honorable Mention recognition in 2024.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Overall Record: 1-9
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 1-6/7th
  • Returning Starters: Offense (6), Defense (5), Special Teams (2)
  • Head Coach: Bill McKeon (1st season, 0-0)
  • Stadium: Morris Field (5,000)
Roosevelt defensive back Carlos Conley recorded a team-high three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 2024, the Lakers' first season as a member of the GLIAC and NCAA Division II.
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QUICK FACTS

  • 2024 Overall Record: 0-11
  • 2024 GLIAC Record/Place: 0-7/8th
  • Returning Starters: Offense (9), Defense (6), Special Teams (1)
  • Head Coach: Shane Richardson (3rd season, 0-22)
  • Stadium: Superior Dome (8,000)
Linebacker Jax Hertel tied for the Northern Michigan team lead in total tackles in 2024, posting 57, and ranked third in the GLIAC in tackles for loss with 13. For his standout season, Hertel earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors.
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Three different GLIAC schools have won national championships -- Northern Michigan (1975), Grand Valley State (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006) and Ferris State (2021, 2022, 2024). Wayne State has also made a championship-game appearance (2011).