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Ferris State HC Tony Annese: 'I would rather play Notre Dame than Harding'

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh6 hours agogriffin_mcveigh

For the second consecutive season, Ferris State and Harding are set to play in the Division II playoffs. This year’s matchup will have a little more on the line, though. McKinney, TX, will host the two schools for the national championship game. Both are 15-0 to this point, putting undefeated records on the line.

Ferris State head coach Tony Annese certainly respects Harding heading into the game. He joked during a recent press conference that he would rather be playing Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon.

“I’d rather play Notre Dame than Harding,” Annese said, laughing. “So, just so you know, right now. It’s obviously challenging.”

Technically, Notre Dame is available for a game. Marcus Freeman‘s team is not set to participate in any postseason event after missing the College Football Playoff. The Irish then opted out of a bowl game after receiving an invite to face BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

But Ferris State will have to play what’s on the schedule in what should be a thrilling matchup against Harding. Annese broke down exactly what makes the Bisons so dangerous, both on offense and defense. He even admitted to cheering against them in recent weeks, hoping to avoid them in the national championship.

“We’ve played them three times. You’ve got to be so sharp in every aspect of the game. Guys have got to be so disciplined on defense. The hope of stopping them really doesn’t exist. You just try to slow them down, you try to minimize big plays. They’re incredible on offense and then on defense, they’re the No. 1 defense in the nation.

“I hate to be rude and Coach Simmons will laugh at me but I’ve been rooting against them this whole playoff run. It’s like ‘Can somebody knock off Harding so we don’t have to play them?’ That’s how big of a challenge they are.”

Harding is averaging 39.5 yards per game throughout its current playoff run. It’s slightly lower than the 43.1 put up during the regular season. Ferris State did a great job containing the Bisons during the playoff matchup last year, giving up only seven points.

Maybe folks in South Bend will be inclined to tune into the D-II national championship now. Kickoff from McKinney is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET. This would be title No. 4 for Ferris State, all coming since 2021. Harding took home the honors in 2023 and is looking for a second two seasons later.