College Football

NCAA Division II Football Championship: Fans Respond To Trinidad Chambliss, Ferris State Trouncing Valdosta State

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published21 Dec 2024

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Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss accounted for five touchdowns Saturday, leading Ferris State’s football team to a 49-14 victory over Valdosta State at McKinney (Texas) ISD Stadium.  

In a rematch of the 2018 and ‘21 title games, the Bulldogs, based in Big Rapids, Michigan, claimed dynasty status, winning three titles over the past four seasons. In ‘18, the Blazers captured the program’s fifth national title, 49-47, after denying a 2-point lead conversion attempt, In ‘21, the Bulldogs earned their first title, finishing 14-0. 

A 2024 Harlon Hill Award finalist, Chambliss threw three touchdown passes and ran for two others Saturday as the Bulldogs won their 14th straight after a season-opening loss. Chambliss finished 11 of 20 for 153 yards and running back Kannon Katzer registered 97 yards and caught a TD pass.  

After not scoring fewer than 27 points all season, the Blazers (13-1), who hail from Valdosta, Georgia, fell behind 21-0 after surrendering touchdowns on the Bulldogs’ opening three possessions. 

X (Twitter) users reacted to Ferris State’s creative and explosive offense and unique 6-1, stifling defense … 

The Div. II marquee matchup … 

A calm scene before Ferris State started imposing its will … 

Things started poorly for the Blazers, who were forced to punt on their opening possession. The Bulldogs, behind 51 rushing yards by Chambliss, scored on a nine-play, 80-yard drive. It was Chambliss’ 24th rushing TD …  

A former high school quarterback, Ferris State’s Brady Rose hit Cam Underwood in stride on a trick play as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-0, first-quarter lead …  

Katzer nearly dropped a dink pass, but recovered and scored, keeping the Bulldogs rolling …

Ferris State produced on special teams, too, highlighted by a precise punt by Noah Botsford … 

Valdosta State scored late in the first half to make it 21-7, but that was as close as the Blazers would come …

 Taking advantage of an undisciplined punt-return penalty, the Bulldogs retained possession with under two minutes left in the half and converted with 10 seconds before halftime. They continued to cruise in the second half … 

Central Missouri quarterback Zach Zebrowski on Friday earned the 2024 Harlon Hill Award. He passed for 4,724 yards with 40 touchdowns. He led all NCAA players in total passing yards and passing yards per game (443.6) … 

Is Chambliss the front-runner for next season’s top Div. II player of the year? … 

Are the Bulldogs a Division II dynasty in the making? Here’s a look back at the Bulldogs’ first title … 

Here’s a second national championship headline from Ferris State’s student newspaper. (What happened to The Torch, where a certain life-long struggling scribe earned his first byline, winning a $5 bet?) … 

Final score: Ferris State 49, Valdosta State 14 (With a dynasty on tap, will the Dawg House bring back dime drafts and party like it’s 1987?)…