CI Week 16 Highlights
Another week, another champion. Six days after Paul Boudreau (@bouqb2) helped the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hoist the 108th Grey Cup, Ferris State Asst. Head Coach/QB Brian Rock (@Coach_Rock) and the Bulldogs claimed the Division II national title on Saturday night in McKinney, Texas. Keep reading for more highlights from Week 16.
Ferris State wins Division II national title by trampling Valdosta State, 58-17
Despite suffering an ankle injury in the first half, Ferris State QB Jared Bernhardt ran the ball 14 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a blowout win on Division II's biggest stage, capping a perfect 14-0 season and marking the first national title in program history. On an individual level, Saturday night was also the culmination of an incredible 2021 for Bernhardt, who earlier this year was named the national player of the year in lacrosse while captaining Maryland to an appearance in the national championship game. Despite not having played football in four years, the graduate transfer was a natural at Ferris State, rushing for 1,421 yards and 26 touchdowns on the year while throwing for 1,322 yards and 11 more scores. Bernhardt's seamless transition is also a testament to the fantastic job done by Asst. Head Coach/QB Brian Rock. Congratulations to Rock on the perfect season and stellar work with Bernhardt.
McCall, Coastal beat Northern Illinois 47-41 in Cure Bowl
For the first time in program history, Coastal Carolina is a bowl game champion. The Chanticleers edged the Huskies in a fast-paced shootout to kickoff bowl season on Friday night. Coastal RB Braydon Bennett set a new career-high with three touchdowns as he rushed for 108 yards on just six carries and also chipped in 47 receiving yards. While it was a coming out party for Bennett, a redshirt freshman, the win was also a defining moment for senior tailback Shermari Jones. The reigning Sun Belt Running Back of the Year tallied 52 rushing yards as the Chants racked up 514 total yards on offense. The win marked the second time in as many years that Coastal has won 11 games in a season. Congratulations to Coastal Co-Offensive Coordinator/RB Newland Isaac (@coachisaacFB) on the bowl win and historic season! Congrats also go out to Isaac for recently being recognized as the AFCA's FBS Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021.
Congratulations to Utah State CB Coach Ray Brown (@CoachB212) on the Aggies' win in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl!
Congratulations to South Carolina State Offensive Coordinator/QB Bennett Swygert (@BennettSwygert) on the the Bulldogs' win in the Celebration Bowl!
Congratulations to Florida A&M Head Coach Willie Simmons (@HCWillieSimmons) and Co-Offensive Coor./OL Ryan Stanchek (@CoachStanchek) on the Rattlers being crowned HBCU National Champions after a 9-3 season and FCS Playoff berth!