On a night that the visiting Grand Valley State Lakers could do no wrong, the Lady Dawgs lost their seventh GLIAC game of the season.

The team battled throughout the night, but nothing short of the U.S. Marine Corp could stop the hot Lakers who shot 44.8 percent from the floor, 30-67, and 7-21 from beyond the arch.

The Lady Dawgs had open looks and battled their way through traffic to the net, but they could not get the ball to fall.

“They were playing with much more confidence than we are. They had a long streak, and it was hard to bounce back,” head coach Tracey Dorow said.

The Lakers crashed the glass hard on both sides of the floor and limited the Bulldogs second chance opportunities while taking two or three tries to wear down a normally stellar Bulldog defense.

The first half was the typical battle between the two west coast rivals as both teams battled out an emotional first half, but it was the Lakers who were able to go full throttle past the Bulldogs, and extended their lead to double digits before the Bulldogs closed the gap to six points at the half.

The Lakers were led by Kara Crawford and Emma Veach in the first half, as they both hit a pair of threes. Crawford finished the half with 14 points while Veach grabbed 12 points in the first half.

The second half began similar to how the first half ended, as the Lakers were able to knock down every shot that found its way within four feet of the basket, while the Bulldogs watched their hard earned shots roll around and bounce off the rim.

The Lady Dawgs never backed down from the challenge and were able to put a small run together with about seven minutes left in the game, allowing the fans to get into the game for the first time since early in the first half.

With 3:30 left to play, guard Tiara Adams capped off a 12-0 run, to close the Laker lead to 74-60, but it was too little too late, as the Bulldogs fell 78-63.

The Bulldogs shot 40.9 percent on the game, and were led by guard Kelsey DeNoyelles with 19 points, guard Chelsea Simonetti with 14 points, forward Caitlin Hutchison with nine points and forward Ashley Fleming had eight points.

It was a tough loss for the Bulldogs, a team that is not used to losing, and especially not used to losing seven GLIAC games in the first half of the regular season.

According to Dorow, the Bulldogs can rally, if they begin playing confidently and play like they did back in December when they met Grand Valley the first time, with every member of the team playing well and on the same page.

Dorow also said that the team needs to build a solid foundation by driving to the basket to open up the floor to make the long shots, and once the team regains its confidence the shots will begin to fall.

The Bulldogs will take on Tiffin on Thursday, who defeated Ferris 68-85, and Ashland on Saturday, who also defeated Ferris 89-92 previously this season. Dorow expects the team to come out hungry for the wins.

The Bulldogs know they can win big, as they defeated the Marygrove Mustangs 108-49 on Dec. 29. Marking the second time Ferris has recorded triple digits in two years.

Thursday’s game against Tiffin begins at 6 p.m. and will play at noon on Saturday.

The Ferris State Bulldogs hockey team went 3-2-1 over the holiday break. Their most recent action ended in a home and home series with the Western Michigan Broncos with both teams pulling out a victory.

Western Michigan won the first game 2-1 on Friday, Jan. 9 and the Bulldogs were victorious on Saturday with the 4-2 victory as left winger Mike Embach led the way.

Over the holiday break, the Bulldogs also swept non-conference Alabama-Huntsville in two games allowing for players to rest and gain some playing time. They also took part in the Banknorth Catamount Cup in Burlington, VT where they placed third. Ferris State lost to St. Lawrence University in the first round and in the consolation game, the Bulldogs beat Colgate University in a shootout.

"We had a great weekend verses Western and we played well both nights," Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels said. "I'm excited with the emergence of a line consisting of Embach, Haines and Couturier, who have now given us three strong offensive lines. I feel we gained confidence in our road win and are looking forward to applying it against a top 10 team in the nation, Ohio State."

Lawson Ice Arena saw high light goals as the Broncos and Bulldogs lit up the lamp five times in the third period in Saturday nights contest in Kalamazoo, Mich. Ferris State started the scoring off half way through the first period as Embach notched his fifth goal of the season. Embach’s power play goal came at 9:44 with assists going to defenseman Chad Billins and right winger Corey Couturier.

Embach restarted the scoring action as he netted his second goal of the game early in the third period. His even strength goal came at 2:06 with assists going to defenseman Evan Case and Billins. Half way through the third, Western Michigan was able to get on the board as J.J. Crew beat Ferris State goaltender Pat Nagle while at even strength at 11:05.

The Bulldogs put an end to Bronco hopes as they scored two power play goals within 23 seconds of each other. While on a five on three advantage, Embach netted his hat trick goal at 13:09. Embach’s power play goal came with assists to defenseman Zach Redmond and Couturier. Still on the power play, Case netted his first goal of the season. Case’s power play goal came at 13:32 with assists going to left winger Blair Riley and Billins.

Nagle earned the victory for the Bulldogs as he made 32 saves throughout the evening. Ferris State tallied three times of 11 while on the power play and their penalty kill continued to perform perfect as they held the Broncos at 0-6.

In Friday night’s contest, the Broncos started out the scoring in front of 1,100 fans inside Ewigleben Ice Arena. Both Western Michigan goals were scored at even strength inside the second period. Kyle O’Kane and Crew both scored their first goals of the season as they were able to beat Nagle.

Embach scored his first goal of the weekend midway through the third period as he beat Western Michigan goaltender Riley Gill. Embach’s even strength goal came at 13:16 with assists going to center Brendan Connolly and Couturier.

The Bulldogs were 0-4 on the power play but their penalty kill was able to contain the Broncos as they were 0-8.

Ohio State travels to Big Rapids as they look to move up in the CCHA standings as the Bulldogs look to do the same. The fifth place Buckeyes look to faceoff with the sixth place Bulldogs on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday at 5:05 p.m.

When the Grand Valley State Lakers came to visit on Monday, the game was a nail biter with no clear winner until the final minutes where the Bulldog men’s basketball team pulled ahead to defeat the Lakers 74-67.

Center Justin Keenan scored 27 total points for the game and had 12 rebounds, two steals and an assist. Guard Darien Gay matched his total of 18 points from the previous game and also had seven assists as well as two steals.

“We were in a situation tonight and we battled back. I was really excited for the guys and proud of the high determination in which they played this game,” said head basketball coach Bill Sall.

The Ferris State men’s basketball team didn’t get much of a winter break with a string of home losses against Hillsdale, Findlay and Grace Bible. But the Bulldogs redeemed themselves with a record breaking home victory against Kuyper on Jan. 5 and a victory against Lake Superior State last Thursday.

All of which was followed by another defeat against Saginaw Valley State. The game against Hillsdale on Dec. 13 was close with Ferris narrowly being edged out by Hillsdale 77-79. The next day the Bulldogs didn’t have such a narrow defeat with their loss against Findlay 80-63.

The New Year had a rough start for the men’s basketball team with an 80- 86 loss to Grace Bible on Jan. 3.

The men’s basketball team didn’t let defeat get them down. They smashed Kuyper 115-60 in the highest scoring game in Ferris State history. All members of the team that played scored at least three points. Six of the men’s basketball players got into the double digits.

Ferris State men’s basketball continued its winning streak with an 89-65 victory against Lake Superior State. Keenan scored 25 total points, had five rebounds, one assist and a block. Guard Josh Young contributed to the Lake Superior game by scoring 14 total blocks, having two assists and nine rebounds.

The Bulldogs had a tough 84-93 loss against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals. The men’s basketball team had the game almost tied 82-84 with 1:48 seconds to go, but the Cardinals pulled ahead. The Bulldogs were kept to a 39 shooting average from the floor. Gay shot 18 total points, had two assists, two steals and three rebounds. While Young had 16 total points, seven rebounds, two steals, two assists and a block.

After winter break the men’s basketball team is left with a 6-7 overall record. The next match will be home against Tiffin tomorrow at 8 p.m. The men’s basketball team also has another home game against Ashland on Saturday at 2 p.m.

From walleyball to basketball to even broomball and volleyball, the intramural sports program provides an opportunity to advance skills, while promoting physical activity and social interaction.

The intramural sports program allows anyone who is either a Ferris student, faculty or staff member to participate in a wide variety of sports and activities spanning all three sport’s seasons.

Intramural sports programs also offer men’s, women’s, and co-rec leagues, as well as intermediate and advanced play options.

“Intramural soccer was fun, and I would highly recommend it. Even though our team didn’t win much I still had a blast and met a lot of new people through it,” freshman student Bridgette Cazzola said, who played for the co-rec team Black Mambas.

There is a start-up cost for teams who want to participate. However, that covers the cost of play and if the team makes it to the finals and wins, they will receive not only a trophy, but medals and a T-shirt.

The program also offers special events, such as racquetball and even an Easter egg hunt. At one such special event, a dodgeball tournament, freshman student Adam Fulan made a suicide leap into the air to make it into the finals. He then helped his team “Slow Children at Play” to a dodgeball victory.

“I thought the tournament was a lot of fun, and well put together. There was a lot of fierce competition and can’t wait until the next one,” Fulan said.

Through these special events and regular game play, the program offers physical activity for students, staff, and faculty to get involved in.

To sign up a team or to check when these events occur, one can go to the Ferris homepage and search intramural sports to see a schedule and to print out a form to sign up teams.

One can also stop by or call the Student Recreation Center for additional information.

It’s a soap opera to end all soap operas. There is a the diva creating drama on his team, spreading rumors that his quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten are creating plays in their hotel room.

There is a crazed paranoid, shooting himself in a bar. There is an old veteran being told by teammates that he should be benched, the same veteran that began the preseason drama.

There was more drama in the 2008 NFL season, then you could find in “Days of Our Lives,” “All My Children,” and “Guiding Light” combined. Yet, males, young and old, females too, could not pull themselves away from the TV as the drama unfolded.

It began last summer, when former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre announced his retirement not only did the entire state of Wisconsin go into mourning, every male who had a “mancrush” on him, went into mourning as well.

Then, the roller coaster of July began. Favre wanted to come back, the Packers didn’t want him. Men began calling into radio stations saying the Lions should grab him, the Packers were horrible for not resigning him.

The New York Jet fans were ecstatic to have Favre, and then came the interceptions Favre is so prone to throw.

Then Thomas Jones’ comments began scrolling on the bottom line during the bowl games: “At the same time, you can’t turn the ball over and expect to win. The other day, the three interceptions really hurt us. You don’t like it.”

You know it’s bad when some of the Jets wanted former quarterback, Chad Pennington, now with the Miami Dolphins to come back. Pennington had only two, maybe three, wins with the Jets in the 2007 season.

The Lions would have been happy with Pennington’s two wins last year, heck, they would have been happy with a win this year. Any win, Detroit wouldn’t care, anything would be better than going 0-16, making it the worst NFL team in the history of the NFL.

Five different quarterbacks took a snap in 16 games, when you have five playing, you really have none.

There were Detroit players flicking off fans in the stands, and then challenging them to fights, saying if people didn’t fight with metal he would fight them, but because everyone is fighting with metal he won’t.

Metal apparently means guns, not everyone is fighting with guns, there are a couple first graders still using their fists on the playground.

Head back to the east coast where former New York Giants wide receiver, Plaxico Burress found himself on the wrong side of the metal. Burress was carrying an unregistered gun in a nightclub and it went off and shot Burress in the leg. This year’s Darwin Award goes to…

The “shooting” began the violence against the NFL players awareness week. The violence the NFL players have faced and are afraid of became headline news after the “shooting.”

The fanfare didn’t last long, Terrell Owens made sure of that. Whenever the spotlight is off “TO” he finds a way of making sure the light makes its way back, no matter who he has to throw under the bus.

Heck, “TO” has been creating drama before he worked out in his driveway, before he wore a bikeracing suit to practice, and before he threw Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb under the bus.

However, this year was slightly different. All was calm, all was right in Dallas, then out of nowhere Owens tells everyone who will listen that Romo and Witten were creating new plays without him.

Then came anonymous players speaking out to the press saying Owens was ruining the team chemistry, then other players were coming out saying the players who spoke anonymously were ruining the chemistry on the team.

Maybe it’s good the Cowboys didn’t make playoffs, I don’t think people could have handled anymore drama from Dallas.

No, I don’t think people could have handled anymore drama from the NFL.

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) needs to look into a playoff type system after numerous teams with one loss on the season were pushed out of the National Championship game because of decimal places.

Teams such as Ball State, Utah and Boise State don’t get looked at too seriously due to their conferences but if a playoff system was put into place, they would be able to show that they can hang with the Big 12’s, Big 10’s and SEC’s.

“I still believe there needs to be a playoff system to determine the country’s major college football champion,” Presidential- Elect Barack Obama said to the Associated Press. “If I’m Utah or if I’m USC or if I’m Texas, I might still have some quibbles.”

NCAA Division 1-AA uses a 16 team single elimination playoff system that has worked for years. NCAA Division 2 also uses a single elimination playoff bracket. Their bracket however incorporates 24 teams but allows for the top eight schools to have first round byes.

With these types of reactions, a single elimination playoff system would make a single NCAA Division 1-A National Champion. An elimination bracket of 16 teams would allow for four weeks of playoff type football with home field advantage at a premium.

The highest seeded teams with the best records and strength of schedules would get home field advantage through the first two rounds. Once the teams reach the semifinals and finals, the games would be moved to a neutral site to house larger crowds and create an even atmosphere.

The bracket would be set up so that the top ranked teams with the best records would face the lowest seeded teams. This would allow for teams such as Utah who was undefeated to one of the highest ranked teams and would be able to kickoff with a larger school.

Schools such as Tulsa and Texas Christian University (TCU) would also be able to get into this bracket because of their records. Both schools finished the season right around the top of their respective conferences.

I am not 100 percent sure that this system is fool proof but I do believe that it is a lot better off than the bowl series that they have now. Schools that don’t make it into the 16 team bracket will still be able to go to bowl games, but have no chance at winning the Sears Trophy.

The bowl season wasn’t completely a bust, the Boise State and TCU contest went down to the wire as both schools played tough in a close game. TCU came out with the 17-16 victory in the Poinsettia bowl.

A late interception in the Meineke Car Care bowl saw West Virginia pulling out the 31-30 victory over North Carolina, not only known as a basketball school now.

The Big 10 almost saw a second bowl victory as Ohio State was about to upset Texas but a late touchdown pass by Colt McCoy saw the Longhorns pulling out the win.

Overall, watching bowl games on New Years Day is a family tradition at my house.

Gathering together with friends and family while eating leftovers and watching over eight hours of football does a body good, but being able to watch the best college football players play in a playoff bracket over a month long period would make for an exciting end to the year. I received my information from espn.com.

If you had been on the International Space Station for the last month and returned Sunday evening to see the matchups in the NFL conference championship games, you might have thought you’d taken a wrong turn at the moon and ended up on another planet.

Well, rest assured this is planet Earth. But our gravitational pull suddenly has little effect on underdogs. During the weekend, three home teams lost, and three underdogs won.

Other strange things are happening too.

The coach of the postseason so far hasn’t been Jeff Fisher or Tom Coughlin. It has been Arizona’s Ken Whisenhunt.

There was a quarterback who had been benched and nearly run out of town a while back. Now Donovan McNabb is a playoff hero. Maybe he’ll lead a parade down Broad Street.

The most remarkable starting quarterback still standing, however, is a rookie who clearly has been in over his head. Right? Isn’t that what everybody said? Maybe the Ravens’ Joe Flacco didn’t hear all that. He certainly hasn’t played like he is overwhelmed in becoming the first rookie to win two playoff games.

Willie Parker went from MIA for most of the season to MVP in the Steelers’ victory over the Chargers on Sunday.

The most-watched person in the playoffs has been a 5-foot-6 -inch dancer with great moves. And we are not referring to a member of the Charger Girls. Look, there goes Darren Sproles again!

The second-leading rusher in the postseason was written off as washed-up during the season and replaced by a rookie taken in the fifth round. After averaging 32 yards a game in the regular season, Arizona’s Edgerrin James has re-emerged and become the feel-good story of the playoffs.

The Cardinals, who ranked 19th in the NFL in rushing defense, have held the No. 2 rushing offense to 60 yards and the No. 3 rushing offense to 75 yards.

For the first time in history, not one of the NFC’s top three seeds will participate in the conference title game.

Is it the end zone or “The Twilight Zone”?

Wake me up. On second thought, don’t. I’m enjoying this.

The Cardinals-Eagles NFC championship game should be a classic, though their last meeting was far from that. The week after McNabb was benched in a loss to the Ravens, he was reinstated against Arizona and threw four touchdown passes in a 48-20 victory on Thanksgiving night in Philadelphia. Brian Westbrook rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles also intercepted Kurt Warner three times.

But if there is anything these playoffs have taught us, it is that we can disregard everything that has happened previously. Hardly anything has gone according to form.

The Cardinals have morphed into a different team from the one that was slapped around by the Eagles, showing toughness on both sides of the ball.

And the sparks the Eagles generated that day have become a roaring blaze. They have gone 5-1 since and clearly are playing their best ball of the season.

The Ravens are another team on a roll, having won seven of their last eight games. The one game they lost in that stretch, however, was to the Steelers, the team they will face Sunday for the AFC championship.

In fact, the Steelers have beaten the Ravens twice this season, accounting for 40 percent of Baltimore’s losses. But beating an opponent three times in a season is no easy feat. Of the 19 teams that have had chances to do it since the NFL merger, only 11 have succeeded.

Just last year the Giants avenged two regular-season losses to the Cowboys with a playoff upset at Texas Stadium.

A total of seven points separated the Steelers from the Ravens in two games. And their third game promises to be another tight contest, especially if Flacco can play more like he has been playing lately and less like he played against the Steelers.

Since he left Heinz Field on Dec. 14, he has not thrown an interception.

In his two games against the Steelers, Flacco had a passer rating of 53.4. Against every other team, his passer rating was 84.6. He completed 46 percent of his passes against the Steelers and 62 percent of his passes against the rest of the league.

So if the postseason continues to play like a Bizarro World comic, Flacco will reverse course and bring the No. 1 defense to its knees.

The Steelers probably survived another day against the Chargers only to be slain by the Ravens, right?

Or am I dreaming?