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Ferris State makes Division II semifinal behind Marvin, Jayru Campbell

Ferris State's semifinal will be Saturday, Dec. 8, with the opponent and site yet to be announced.

Ferris State advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals on Saturday with a 37-14 thumping of Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and, as expected, it was a Campbell who led them.

It just wasn’t Jayru Campbell, the Bulldogs’ Harlon Hill Trophy candidate.

Instead, it was Marvin Campbell leading the way with 18 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. Marvin Campbell’s output was a key part of Ferris State’s game plan, which kept the ball on the ground for 70 carries en route to 357 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Robert Thomas, Derrick Portis and Evan Cummins also ran for a touchdown for the Bulldogs.

Keyondre Craig carried the ball just once, but it was a stellar 42-yard carry that finished with a flourish:

Jayru Campbell (Detroit Cass Tech), who didn't play in last week's victory over Northwest Missouri State, was solid at quarterback, completing 10 of his 16 pass attempts for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also had 13 carries for 47 yards. Sy Barnett caught four balls for 51 yards and one touchdown.

Related: Ex-Cass Tech star Jayru Campbell is all business at Ferris State

Ferris State was comfortably in control early, rolling to a 27-0 lead at the half. The Bulldogs punted on their first possession, then didn’t punt again the rest of the game, only turning the ball over twice on downs and twice on missed field goals.

Brayden Brazeal completed 18 of his 32 pass attempts for 195 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Ouachita Baptist. Allie Freeman had 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

The Bulldogs (14-0) avenged a loss to Ouachita Baptist in last year’s first round to advance to the Division II final four for the third time since 1995. In 2016, Ferris State lost to Northwest Missouri State, 35-20, in the semifinals. No GLIAC school has made the Division II championship game since Wayne State lost to Pittsburg State, 35-21, in 2011. This year’s title game will be played on Dec. 15 in McKinney, Texas.

Ferris State's semifinal will be Saturday, Dec. 8, with the opponent and site yet to be announced. (The NCAA re-seeds the playoffs for the national semifinals.)

Susan Woods contributed to this report.

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