BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Central Washington University football team will open their season this Thursday (Sept. 1) at the Ferris State Bulldogs, the reigning NCAA Division II National Champions. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. PST.
 
"Every year is a different journey, it's a different team, a different personality – so there's a lot we're yet to see," CWU Head Coach Chris Fisk said. "We will find out a lot as we're on the journey, the changes we need to make, adjustments, all those things. We have an exciting opportunity to test ourselves against the defending National Champs."
 
In 2021, the Wildcats went 8-2 in the regular season, securing their fourth straight GNAC title. CWU's season ended in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs as they were defeated by the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats by a score of 21-50.
 
The 2022 season will be different as this will be the first season CWU competes as an affiliate member in the Lone Star Conference (LSC).
 
The Wildcats will have the reigning GNAC Offensive Player of the Year, Quincy Glasper, leading the way on the offensive side of the ball. In 2021, Glasper played in seven games, throwing for 1371 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also logged four rushing touchdowns with 218 rushing yards.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildcats have returners Jahleel Breland (86 total tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries), Tanner Volk (50 total tackles and three interceptions), and Daeon Hudson (53 total tackles, one interception, and 5.5 tackles for loss).
 
In the LSC's preseason coaches poll, CWU was selected to finish third. They finished underneath Angelo State and Midwestern State.
 
"The weeks leading up to the season opener have been great – we have a great group of kids that work hard and compete every day. There is such a big difference from their starting point (in the spring), to now – where we are getting to coach the details. It has been a fun fall camp, and we expect big things from this team," Fisk said.
 
In 2021, Ferris State put together a perfect season. The Bulldogs went 14-0 on their path to winning their first national championship in program history. In Ferris State's postseason, they won by an average of 36 points per game. In the NCAA Division II National Championship game, they throttled Valdosta State by a score of 58-17.
 
The Bulldogs were picked to finish first in the College Football America Yearbook Division II poll and in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) preseason coaches poll. They've won back-to-back-to-back GLIAC league titles.
 
"As a competitor – you want to go play the best teams. Every time you get to play a team of this caliber it's a measuring stick to see where you're at – where you need to improve," Fisk said. "Everyone on this team has stepped on the field with Big Sky teams – they will know what to expect. Hopefully, what we do is continue our journey, continue to mature, and we'll know how to handle these situations."
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Sept. 1
4:30 PM PST
At Ferris State
Top Taggart Field
Big Rapids, Mich.
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