GAME STORYLINES
The Wayne State University football squad returns home to face Davenport University after falling at top-ranked Ferris State last week.  Both teams will be aiming to bounce back after suffering losses a week ago.

SCOUTING DAVENPORT
DU enters the contest with a 2-3 overall ledger, dropping its last two games at Grand Valley State and against Michigan Tech.  Both of the Panthers' wins have come on the road, claiming a 21-12 season-opening victory at Gannon and a 35-16 triumph at Northern Michigan.

Sparky McEwen is in his ninth season as Davenport's head coach, tallying a 42-40 ledger during his tenure.  McEwen has guided the Panthers to a winning season in each of the last three campaigns, and was named the 2022 GLIAC Coach of the Year after leading DU to an NCAA Division II Playoff appearance.

Starting quarterback D'Wan Mathis has thrown for 658 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 61 percent of his passes (47-77).  The graduate student adds a dual-threat ability as well, carrying the ball 33 times for 97 yards.

The leading receiver for DU is Keonta Nixon.  The redshirt junior has 208 yards on 13 catches with one score.  A season ago, while with the Roosevelt Lakers, Nixon garnered First Team All-GLIAC honors after leading the league in receiving yards per game (98.6).  His best performance with the Panthers came in the week two loss at Truman State, when the Chicago, Ill., product hauled in six passed for 72 yards and one touchdown.

Cephus Harris not only leads Davenport's rushing attack, but is averaging the most ground yards per game in the conference (93.2).  His 466 total rushing yards ranks fourth in the GLIAC.

Asher Gregory returns punts for DU, tallying 128 yards on 10 tries.  George Sims and Michael Young have each returned six kickoffs, with Sims notching 185 yards and Young contributing 123 yards.

Latrell Scott leads the way defensively, with 40 total tackles (24-16), including two for loss.  Kennedy Nelson and Jamon Gibson each have tallied a pair of sacks, while Markell Gilford has a team-high two interceptions.

Handling punting duties is Alec Wojahn.  The sophomore averages 40.22 yards per punt (18 for 724 yards) and has landed seven within the 20-yard line.  Kaden Pulaski is the team's kickoff specialist, with 15 kicks for 846 yards (56.4 yards per kick).

ALL-TIME SERIES
The squads have faced one another seven times, with DU holding a 4-3 advantage.  The Warriors prevailed in three of the first four contests, while the Panthers have claimed victory in the most recent three installments.  Wayne State is 0-2 when hosting Davenport at Tom Adams Field, falling 37-14 in 2018 and 32-3 in 2023.  The home team has only won twice in the series, 2022 and 2024.

STRONG RETURN FOR LYONS
After missing four consecutive games, middle linebacker Spencer Lyons made his return to action at Ferris State.  The redshirt sophomore provided an immediate impact in his first appearance back on the field, totaling four tackles (2-2), while recovering a pair of fumbles.

M&M BROTHERS
Staring linebackers Martell Williams and Logan McGraw have combined for 108 tackles through the first six games of the season.  Williams leads the way with 61 (25-36), while McGraw is second on the squad with 47 (22-25).  

The 61 tackles for Williams' leads the GLIAC, while McGraw's nine tackles for loss rank second.  

MATTHEWS TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE
In the first quarter of the 48-24 setback to Michigan Tech, Kelly Matthews intercepted an Alex Bueno pass, returning it 53 yards for a touchdown.  It was the first pick six since September 17, 2022, when Elijah Fowlkes ran 51 yards for a score against Wisconsin-La Crosse.  Matthews' interception is the 11th-longest in the last 36 years of Wayne State football, and is the longest since Anthony DeDamos' 85-yard return against Hillsdale on November 15, 2014.  Jeremy Jones holds the WSU record with a 100-yard return in a 14-9 win over No. 6-ranked Hillsdale on October 23, 2010.

TUGGLE PROVIDING EXPLOSIVE PLAYS
In the home loss to Quincy, Justyz Tuggle posted game-highs in both receptions (six) and receiving yards (79).  The redshirt senior caught a 27-yard pass on the team's opening drive and added an 18-yard strike in the second quarter that put WSU at the Hawks' nine-yard line.  In the fourth stanza, Tuggle hauled in his final pass of the game for 26 yards.

The Redford, Mich., native snagged a 21-yard pass against Michigan Tech, while throwing a 40-yard touchdown to Nick Ostas in the opening period.

In the loss at Ferris State, Tuggle added a 25-yard reception in the second quarter.  He has led the squad in receiving yards in each of the last three contests.

HICKMOTT HAULING IN PASSES
Redshirt freshman Drew Hickmott is tied-for-fourth in the GLIAC with three touchdown receptions.  He has the highest average per catch of anyone on the WSU squad with at least five receptions.

In week one, Hickmott caught three passes for 37 yards and scored the only WSU touchdown in the 34-7 loss to Tiffin.  

In the week two contest at Findlay, Hickmott had five receptions for a team-best 78 yards, including a 27-yard catch that put WSU at the UF two-yard line and led to a Wayne State field goal.

The Ortonville, Mich., product tallied two more receptions for 44 yards in the loss at Wisconsin-La Crosse, one of which was a 30-yard reception at UWL's two-yard line.  WSU scored on the ensuing play to take a 7-0 advantage in the second period.

Hickmott had his first multi-score performance in the 31-14 home loss to Quincy, catching three passes for 26 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

FOWLKES MAKING PLAYS
Senior safety Elijah Fowlkes grabbed his first interception of the season, and fifth of his career, at Findlay after picking off UF's Chase Harrison in the third stanza.  The two-year captain added one pass break-up along with six total tackles in the setback.

In the team's next game (at UWL), Fowlkes scorched past everyone on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage, sacking the quarterback and knocking the ball loose.  The fumble would be recovered by Wisconsin-La Crosse at the 19-yard line and resulted in a 12-yard loss.

The Cleveland, Ohio, native added eight total tackles at home against Quincy, three of which were solo.  The senior earned WSU Defensive Player of the Week honors for the third straight week for his efforts against MTU.

WARRIOR DEBUTS
Through six games, eight-six (86) different student-athletes have seen action for Wayne State.

Twenty (20) have made their WSU debut after playing at a previous school, while 31 different players have made their collegiate debut.

Making their collegiate debuts this year are:  Jordan Bell, Lance Blakely, Haiden Bollini, Liam Distelzweig, Daylon Doe, Dove Eitzen, Dharon Flowers, Zach Green, Zaiden Hall, Drew Hickmott, Donovan Isaac, Trezelle Jenkins, Jr., Creg Johnson, Luke Johnson, Spencer Lyons, Nahji Mabry, Jonathan Major, Trae'vion Meadows, Blake Nelson, Griffin Nowak, Mikey O'Brien, Drew Rankin, Jaheem Richmond, Keathan Smith, Wendell Smith, Ryan Spate, Joe Tate, Bishop Thomas, Tyler Torey, Gavin Troy and Evan Wittmann.

Donning the Green and Gold for this first time this year were:  Sterling Anderson, Justhin Austin, D'Vaun Bentley, Angel Carrillo, Carson Creehan, Omar El Khatib, Sherod Green, Peyton Hatten, Devon Isaac, Trent Leicht, Kelly Matthews, Logan McGraw, Jasir Rahaman, Mar'Tavion Robinson, Josh Sekiyoba, Ashawn Sims, Braden Siri, Mikey Thomas, Darel Washington and Martell Williams.

FRESH FACES
Despite having 126 players on the roster, WSU only has 53 returners, including 18 letterwinners.  In total there are 73 newcomers (49 freshmen, four mid-year transfers, and 20 summer transfers).  In addition, the coaching staff features seven new hires including four full-time coaches and three graduate assistants along with the promotion of Mustafa Khaleefah to full-time Tight Ends Coach from Offensive Line Graduate Assistant Coach.

GLIAC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Ferris State (47 points, six first-place votes)
2. Grand Valley State (41 points, one first-place vote)
3. Saginaw Valley State (38 points, one first-place vote)
4. Davenport (31 points)
5. Michigan Tech (28 points)
6. Wayne State (16 points)
7. Roosevelt (12 points)
8. Northern Michigan (11 points)

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD
After playing the toughest schedule in the country in 2023, WSU played the third-toughest schedule in NCAA Division 2 during the 2024 regular-season with its opponents combining for a .615 winning percentage (67-42).  

The Green and Gold are facing yet another tall task during the 2025 campaign.  WSU's past 2025 opponents have a cumulative record of 23-5 (.821) which is the toughest in D2.  The Warriors' future foes hold a 10-17 ledger (.370), while the composite record of 33-22 (.600) is sixth nationally.

In addition, Wayne State will see action against five squads that appeared in the AFCA D2 Coaches Preseason Poll in No. 1-Ferris State, No. 3-Grand Valley State, No. 31-Saginaw Valley State, No. 38-Findlay, and No. 40-Davenport. 

WARRIORS BY THE NUMBERS
Of the 126 student-athletes on the 2025 WSU football roster, 92 came from high school, 11 joined the squad after playing for a junior college, 17 transferred in after playing for another four-year college, and six more came from a two-year or four-year college, but did not play.

The 2025 Wayne State football team currently has representatives from 13 states and one Canadian Province with the majority of football student-athletes coming from Michigan (91).  Ohio (10), California (7), Texas (4), Florida (2), Virginia (2) and Washington (2) all have multiple student-athletes, while Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Ontario all have one.

A FAMILY AFFAIR
WSU currently has three sets of brothers:
Champion and Max Edwards
Malachi and Matthew Evans (twins)
Devon and Donovan Isaac

Other Warriors with family ties include Evan Bainbridge (father Matthew was an offensive tackle) and Jordan Bell (father Joique is a WSU Athletics Hall of Fame running back).

In addition, true freshman offensive lineman Trezelle Jenkins, Jr., is the son of Trezelle Jenkins, who played at Michigan (1991-94) and nine games in the NFL with Kansas City.  Defensive lineman Jesse Brown is the son of former Green Bay Hall of Famer Gilbert Brown.

DON'T MISS ANY OF THE ACTION
Wayne State enters a new era for the broadcast of its football games with the launch of the Warrior Sports Network.  Veteran Detroit broadcaster Sean Baligian is in his 17th season calling Warrior football.  Former Warrior defensive end Brady Beedon will serve as the color analyst for eight contests, while Kevin Brechmacher will handle color commentary for the other three contests.  In addition, Tony Ortiz will serve as the Sideline Reporter for all five home games.

Every Wayne State GLIAC football game will be on Flo Sports, plus the home non-conference contests against Tiffin and Quincy as well as the road game at Findlay.  The FloSports broadcast of home games will be via The PreP for the third consecutive year.

WEEKLY WITH WHEATLEY
Join head football coach Tyrone Wheatley and Brady Beedon each Wednesday prior to a home football Saturday for the Weekly with Wheatley podcast.  Beedon is in his fifth season as WSU football analyst and also serves as the host for the Locker Room Report and Senior Spotlight interviews each week for the football broadcast.  

There will be five shows in 2025, each with a different assistant coach and student-athlete.  The remaining shows will be taped on Oct. 15 and Oct. 29 in front of a live audience at Woodbridge Pub starting at 5:30 PM.  Each episode will be added to the Wayne State Athletics website for those unable to attend.