Football 10/25/2023 12:24:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Football Travels To Northern Michigan For Saturday Tilt In The Superior Dome

WSU looks to end nine-game road losing streak.

GAME STORYLINES
Wayne State will play the second of back-to-back road games this Saturday at Northern Michigan. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at the Superior Dome in Marquette, Mich.

The Warriors fell 17-10 in overtime last Saturday at Saginaw Valley State to drop to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the GLIAC. That game was the 300th GLIAC regular-season contest for WSU.

Three more games remain on the schedule for the Green and Gold beginning with the Wildcats on Saturday. Wayne State will host Grand Valley State for Senior Day on November 4 and travel to Ferris State for the season finale on November 11.

SCOUTING NORTHERN MICHIGAN
NMU remained winless after a 73-14 setback at home against GVSU last Saturday. The Wildcats sit at 0-8 overall and 0-4 in the conference with three games to play. This weekend is the final game of three straight at home for Northern Michigan.

The Wildcats nonetheless have a few playmakers on both sides of the ball that could possess a challenge for the Warriors. On defense, sophomore linebacker Mitch Larkin leads the GLIAC with 81 tackles this season. That total is 25 more than anyone else on the Northern Michigan roster. Larkin also has 3.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in eight games.

Sophomore defensive lineman Jake Price has a team-high three sacks as well as a forced fumble. Linebacker Jax Hertel has used his playing time as a freshman to notch a pair of interceptions, which leads the Wildcats. The defense has recovered all five forced fumbles this year.

Northern Michigan has undergone a change at quarterback in recent weeks, as freshman signal caller Aidan Hoard has started the last two contests after graduate student Mariano Valenti started the first six. Hoard threw for a touchdown in each of the games at Davenport and vs. Grand Valley State.

Quarterbacks from NMU, no matter whom, prefer throwing the ball to wideout Sam Peiffer. The sophomore ranks second in the conference with 4.6 receptions per game. He has also hauled in two touchdowns. Running back Tyquan Cox, tight end Charlie Gerhard, and wide receiver Michael Love have grabbed the other three Wildcats' scores through the air. Fifth-year running back Brock Franklin has two touchdowns on the ground, including a two-yard scamper in the closing minutes of the game against the Lakers.

Shane Richardson was hired as the 23rd head football coach in NMU program history on December 28, 2022, and is in his first season leading the Wildcats. Richardson was previously the head coach at University of North Carolina (UNC) at Pembroke from 2014 to 2022, in which he compiled a 37-48 (.435) record there.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Northern Michigan has a five-game edge (20-15) in the all-time series between the two schools. A big reason for the advantage is the seven-game win streak the Wildcats went on against the Tartars between November 1, 1958, and September 23, 1989. Wayne State is 14-13 against NMU since a 30-27 triumph on October 20, 1990.

The series is notable for its high scoring. Since 2009, no team has scored fewer than 14 points in a game and every contest has seen more than 40 total points scored. Ten of the 12 contests have also seen 50 or more points and five of the 12 have had 60 or more.

NATIONAL ATTENTION
Wayne State ranks sixth in the nation and first in the GLIAC in fourth down conversion percentage (8-of-11 for 73 percent), 29th in fewest penalties per game (5.38), 31st in net punting (37.2 punting average), 33rd in fewest penalties (43), and 50th in fewest turnovers lost (11 in eight games).

Individually, Griffin Milovanski ranks 13th in the nation in field goals per game (1.25). He also ranks 50th in field goal percentage (10-of-15 for a .667 success rate). Matt Buschman is 58th in solo tackles per game (4.6).

Following the game at SVSU, Kendall Williams is 24th among all active Division 2 players with 103.30 all-purpose yards per game. Matt Buschman ranks tied-for-ninth with 4.33 solo tackles per game (at WSU only).

ROAD WOES
Since a 16-3 triumph at Davenport on October 16, 2021, Wayne State has lost its last nine road contests. Six of the nine setbacks have been to teams ranked in the top 27 that week by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

THE CHALLENGING FUTURE
According to the NCAA, Wayne State has the most difficult schedule in Division 2 based on past opposition (34-12 with a .739 winning percentage). That ranks ahead of Southern Arkansas (.679), Morehouse (.673), Angelo State (.652), and Northern Michigan (.647) in the statistic. Future opposition has a combined 11-11 mark (.600), which puts the Warriors 77th in that category. Through the end of week eight and into week nine, WSU has the toughest overall combined schedule in Division 2 (45-23 with a .662 winning percentage). That puts Wayne State well ahead of Chowan (.609), Western Oregon (.603), Frostburg State (.603), and Grand Valley State (.594).

Wayne State's 11 opponents this year had an overall mark of 86-41 (.677) in 2022. The Warriors played the toughest regular-season schedule in NCAA Division 2 in 2022 (.692 winning percentage with a 74-33 combined record).

Coach Wheatley and the Warriors have two more opportunities to make noise in 2023 against nationally ranked teams via the AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll. The Green and Gold still have No. 3-Grand Valley State and No. 8-Ferris State on the docket this fall. Five of WSU's 11 opponents this season are currently in the top-11 of the Division II Coaches' Poll.

NEWCOMERS MAKING THEIR DEBUTS
Through eight games in 2023, a total of 24 Warriors have made their collegiate debut, with another eight making their WSU debuts. The 24 were Jaiden Acker, Tomi Bisiriyu, Rashad Boyd, Jr., Devon Brown, Jaydon Bush, Joe Clark, Jr., Justin Cox, Davon Dallas-Jackson, Nico Davis, Will Edwards, Dahmir Farnum, Ke'Waun Farnum, Maxx Fisher, Ethan Gates, Torrence Greene, Dontez Hicks, Colby Horn, Brayden McKenna, Eli McLean, Nick Ostas, Quincy Salter, XaVior Tyus, Anthony Walk, Jr., and Derrick Wallace, Jr.

The true freshmen were Acker, Boyd, Jr., Bush, Cox, Dallas-Jackson, Nico Davis, the Farnum brothers, Greene, Hicks, Tyus, Walk, Jr., and Wallace, Jr.

The eight transfers to see action were Danny Chaudhry (Morgan State), Jaden Davis (Ellsworth C.C.), Ben Griskie (Lake Erie College), Gamon Howard, Jr. (Lincoln, Calif.), Jace Parrish (Northwood), Jeremiah Sterling, Jr. (Olivet), Jayden Waddell (Davidson), and Carl Ware (Madonna).

ONE LONG DRIVE
The Warriors concluded a 19-play, 76-yard drive with a Griffin Milovanski 22-yard field goal in the second quarter against Concordia. The drive was the longest by plays since an 18-play scoring drive resulted in a Darece Roberson, Jr. four-yard reception at Northern Michigan on October 5, 2019.

Lasting 11:31, it was the longest scoring drive since at least the start of the 2002 season.

MILOVANSKI'S MILESTONES
Kicker Griffin Milovanski has remained spotless this fall by connecting on all 13 of his extra point attempts in 2023. The successful tries have extended his streak to 39 consecutive made PATs, the fourth-longest streak in program history. The redshirt junior's run of made kicks dates back to the 2021 season finale at Ferris State on November 13.

In the 23-21 win over Michigan Tech on October 7, the redshirt junior battled the wind to convert on all three field goal attempts (22, 38, and 47 yards) to propel his team to victory. He was named GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week and D2Football.com National Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. Milovanski went on to match a career-long with a 48-yard field goal against Davenport on October 14. The last time he connected from 48 yards was September 10, 2022, at home vs. Shaw.

By kicking a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter vs. Missouri S&T, Milovanski became the seventh place-kicker in school history (105th season) with 100 career points. The kicker recently moved into sixth-place all-time among WSU kickers with 137 points (25 FG and 62 PATs).

Milovanski passed Bill Kelley's 60 made PATs from 1973-76 with his 61st in the third quarter vs. MTU to nab sole possession of fifth-place on the all-time leaderboard. He needs seven more made extra points to pass Matt Fishburn's 68 from 1994-97. He also passed Bob Klick (1988-90) for sixth all-time in made field goals and with 25 needs four more to pass Jerry McGowan's 28 between 1983 and 1986.

FINDING A GROOVE ON DEFENSE
The Wayne State defense has had a few key players stand out after eight games of the 2023 campaign.

Junior Jaden Davis has a team-high 2.5 sacks, along with 5.0 tackles for loss in seven games (five starts) for Coach Wheatley and the Warriors from his defensive end position. The transfer from Ellsworth C.C. also has notched a total of 25 tackles and four quarterback hurries. He forced a fumble vs. Truman State, the first of his Wayne State career.

Another defense end, redshirt freshman Colby Horn, had a big impact in the victory over Michigan Tech. Horn totaled a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss along with a quarterback hurry. His QBH came on first down and led to a missed field goal attempt. On the drives that Horn recorded a TFL, there were a missed field goal, a punt, and a turnover on downs as he was part of a TFL in three separate quarters.

In the game vs. Concordia, linebacker Matt Buschman knocked the ball away from running back Brandon Stewart early in the fourth quarter for a fumble, which was recovered by cornerback Gamon Howard, Jr. It was Howard, Jr.'s first fumble recovery with the Warriors and Buschman's fifth forced fumble, which ranks tied-for-sixth in Warrior football history.

Elijah Fowlkes, Dalen Peeks, and Shavez Hawkins, Jr. are responsible for the three Green and Gold interceptions this season. Fowlkes picked off a Gavin Brooks pass deep in WSU territory against Concordia for the first INT of 2023 for WSU. It was the third of Fowlkes' career and first since he had two against Wisconsin-La Crosse on September 17 last season. Peeks notched his second career interception vs. Davenport, which coincidentally made both of his career picks against the Panthers. His first INT was on October 16, 2021, at DU. This year's interception was two days shy of two years of his first one.

Hawkins, Jr. intercepted SVSU's Mason McKenzie in the fourth quarter on October 21 for the first INT of his career. In the same game, graduate student Drake Reid notched the first sack of his career when he brought down QB Mike O'Horo for a seven-yard loss on the first drive of the second half. Reid totaled 3.5 tackles for loss in the solid effort.

COX ENTERS THE GAME
Freshman quarterback Justin Cox made his collegiate debut in the game at Saginaw Valley State. He threw for 107 yards on 9-of-12 passing, including a 27-yard strike to Dion Brown, Jr. on a third-and-eight in the first quarter. That play would go on to be the longest from scrimmage for the Green and Gold against the Cardinals. Cox scored his first collegiate touchdown with a four-yard rush to open the scoring against the Cardinals and cap a nine-play, 65-yard drive. Cox was named WSU Player of the Week by his team for the Week 8 contest.

RUNNING BACKS MAKING NOISE
The Wayne State running back duo of redshirt sophomore D'Marco Singleton and redshirt senior Kendall Williams have each found success in 2023.

Williams' 22-yard run on the second play from scrimmage against the Miners officially put him over 1,000 yards rushing for his career, a feat done by only 36 others in the 105-year history of WSU football. He has carried for two touchdowns this season and leads the team on the ground with 417 rushing yards. Following his recent performances, Williams has jumped to 24th all-time in career rushing yards by a Warrior (1,392). He also ranks fifth in the GLIAC in rushing yards per game (59.6).

Singleton shined bright in the triumph vs. Missouri S&T, scoring on a 68-yard jaunt down the sideline for his first career touchdown just before intermission. The rush was the longest play of the day for either side and helped Singleton post a game-best 98 yards on the ground. He has rushed for 203 total yards this season.

McLEAN'S DUAL THREAT ABILITY
Graduate student quarterback Eli McLean has seen the first action of his collegiate career for Wayne State in 2023. In just his second career start, McLean helped WSU to a win over MTU by passing for 146 yards on 12-of-20 with no interceptions or sacks. He also had a rushing score, while leading the Warriors on five scoring drives (two touchdowns and three field goals).

McLean threw his first career touchdown pass in the win over Missouri S&T on September 9, finding junior tight end Kaveon Ross for a 32-yard touchdown strike. He hit Ross again for a 15-yard TD vs. Concordia.

WARREN'S BIG DAY
Junior receiver Te'Avion Warren notched his first career touchdown and 100-yard receiving effort in the win over Missouri S&T. In the victory, graduate student Jayden Waddell found Warren behind the MST secondary for a 57-yard touchdown pass. It was Warren's first career score and the play stood as the game-winning points after a Miners' late TD of their own.

Warren's 100-plus yard receiving effort (105 total) not only led the team but was also the first such performance by a Warrior since Trevonte Davis (244 yards) and Jesse Prewitt (135) each eclipsed the century mark in the 51-45 overtime setback at Missouri S&T on September 18, 2021. The junior leads the Warriors with 259 receiving yards this season, along with one of three WSU receiving TD's this year (Kaveon Ross has the other two).

WEEKLY WITH WHEATLEY
Join Tyrone Wheatley and Brady Beedon at Woodbridge Pub on Wednesday, November 1 for the final edition of Weekly with Wheatley this season. The podcast taping will be the week of the Grand Valley State contest and feature a guest assistant coach.

The podcast will be added to the Wayne State athletics website that Friday morning for those unable to be at Woodbridge.

DON'T MISS ANY OF THE ACTION
For the 22nd season, every contest can be heard live on WDTK - The Patriot (1400 AM / 101.5 FM) or online at PatriotDetroit.com. Veteran Detroit broadcaster Sean Baligian is in his 15th season calling Warrior football. Former Warrior defensive end Brady Beedon is in his third season and will serve as the color analyst for nine games and handle the Locker Room Report and Senior Spotlight features for WDTK. WSU Hall of Fame tailback and kick returner Josh Renel will join Baligian in the booth for a pair of home contests. Renel provided color commentary for one game in 2012 and nearly every game for nine seasons (2013-22). In addition, WWJ Afternoon Anchor Tony Ortiz will serve as the sideline commentator during the six home broadcasts. Ortiz previously served as the sideline reporter for the Comcast CN900 broadcasts of WSU football from 2016 through 2022.

The radio pre-game show will start 15 minutes before a road contest and 30 minutes prior to a home game.

New for the 2023 football season, all in-conference Wayne State University football games (home and away) will be streamed via FloSports. WSU home games will be produced via The PreP in a partnership between the two entities and will simulcast the radio call of each home football contest.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#77 Tomi Bisiriyu: T; 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

#32 Devon Brown: CB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#7 Dion Brown, Jr.: WR; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#10 Matt Buschman: OLB; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.: DE; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#62 Will Edwards: G/C; 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman

#27 Maxx Fisher: H/P/PK; 5' 11"; Senior

#2 Elijah Fowlkes: CB; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#76 Ethan Gates: T; 6' 6"; Redshirt Freshman

#1 Shavez Hawkins, Jr.: S; 5' 11"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#77 Tomi Bisiriyu
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: T

#32 Devon Brown
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: CB

#7 Dion Brown, Jr.
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#10 Matt Buschman
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: OLB

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: DE

#62 Will Edwards
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman
: G/C

#27 Maxx Fisher
: 5' 11"; Senior
: H/P/PK

#2 Elijah Fowlkes
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: CB

#76 Ethan Gates
: 6' 6"; Redshirt Freshman
: T

#1 Shavez Hawkins, Jr.
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student
: S