GAME STORYLINES
The Wayne State University football team returns home to host No. 25-ranked Grand Valley State University.  Saturday's contest will be Senior Day for the Warriors.

SCOUTING GRAND VALLEY STATE
GVSU enters the contest after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since 2019, when WSU defeated the Lakers 31-17 the week after Grand Valley State fell 21-16 at Ferris State.

Former Wayne State football captain and offensive line coach Scott Wooster is in his third season as the head coach for the Lakers, helping GVSU to a 26-7 overall ledger that includes a pair of trips to the NCAA Playoffs.  Wooster served as Grand Valley State's offensive line coach and run game coordinator before assuming the role of head coach.

Under center for the Lakers is redshirt freshman Andrew Schuster.  The Macomb, Mich., native has thrown for a GLIAC-leading 1,684 yards and 16 touchdowns, with five interceptions.  Schuster has been named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week once this year, after passing for a career-best 391 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-36 home triumph over Black Hills State on Saturday, September 6.

Brady Drogosh leads the rushing attack for GVSU, with 211 yards and four scores on 36 attempts.  Syone Usma-Harper has ran the ball 40 times for 201 yards and one touchdown.

The Lakers have three players with over 280 receiving yards, as Lynn Wyche-El (346) Kellen Reed (330), and Sean Byrd (286) have all eclipsed that mark.  Wyche-El has a team-best 24 catches, while he and Reed each have five touchdowns.

Back deep on kickoffs is Kellen Reed, totaling 288 yards on 12 returns, including a long of 69 yards against Davenport.  Wyche-El has returned the most punts with six.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Jimmy Downs has a squad-best 50 tackles that includes six for a loss (1.5 sacks).  Anthony Cardamone has reached the quarterback a team-high three times this season, while Jibriel Conde has 2.5 sacks.

Trace Hrgich has punted 21 times for 983 yards (46.81 per attempts) with a long of 64 yards, pinning nine within the 20-yard line.  Mathew Bacik handles field goals, point-after attempts, and kickoffs for GVSU.  The sophomore has connected on four-of-nine attempts, while making 29-of-30 PAT, and totaling 2,004 yards on 35 kickoffs.

ALL-TIME SERIES
This will be the 47th meeting between Wayne State and Grand Valley State, with GVSU holding a 40-6 advantage in the all-time series.  The Warriors last claimed victory in 2019, topping the Lakers 31-17 in the season finale.

A BAGFUL OF M&Ms
Linebackers Martell Williams, Logan McGraw, and Max Edwards have combined for 189 tackles through the first eight games of the season.  Williams leads the way with 79 (35-44), while McGraw is second on the squad with 62 (27-35), and Edwards ranks third with 48 (19-29).  In addition, the trio has combined for 24.5 of WSU's 52 tackles for loss, and four of the squad's 12 sacks.

Williams' 79 tackles leads the GLIAC, while McGraw's 11.5 TFL rank second.  

CSC MILESTONES
As we near CSC (College Sports Communicators) Membership Appreciation Week (Nov. 4-9), the two longest-serving head Sports Information Directors in the GLIAC - Tim Nott at GVSU (since 1997) and Jeff Weiss at WSU (since 2001) - are approaching 600 combined football games worked at their current institutions.  Weiss reached the 250-game mark last week at SVSU, while Nott is nearing 350 games worked for the Lakers.

IMPACTFUL REDSHIRT FRESHMEN
Through eight games, the Warriors have seven touchdown receptions, with redshirt freshmen accounting for five of them.  Donovan Isaac has hauled in a pair of scores through the air, while Drew Hickmott has a team- leading three touchdown grabs.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
As a squad, WSU ranks seventh in the nation in kickoff-return defense, allowing just 14.47 yards per return.  The Green and Gold defense has produced a pair of touchdowns, which is the 18th-most in the country, while the seven fumbles recovered rank 38th.  Additionally, Wayne State is generating 6.5 tackles for loss per game, which is good enough for 49th in Division 2.

Individually, Logan McGraw's 0.38 forced fumbles per contest is tied-for-10th in the country, while Spencer Lyons' two fumble recoveries is 13th, with both leading the GLIAC.  Martell Williams' 9.9 tackles per game is the tied-for-15th-most in the nation, while McGraw's 1.44 tackles for loss per game is 21st.

ONSIDE KICK SUCCESS
Wayne State successfully executed an onside kick last week at Saginaw Valley State, marking the second straight year WSU has achieved that feat.  

In 2024, the Warriors has a successful onside kick vs. Findlay, which was the first time that was accomplished since 2019 against Slippery Rock.

WENDELL SMITH MAKING PLAYS
WSU redshirt freshman Wendell Smith made two impact plays at Saginaw Valley State last week.  He had an interception just before halftime keeping the deficit at 14-0.

Last in the fourth quarter, Smith recovered WSU's onside kick attempt.

A PAIR OF PICK SIXES
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 was the 12th-longest in the last 36 years of Wayne State football. 

Just two weeks later, in the second stanza of the loss to Davenport, Luke Johnson picked off a D'Wan Mathis pass, returning it 67 yards to put WSU on the board.  The 67 yards is the longest return by a Wayne State true freshman in at least the last 36 years and is the second-longest by a freshman since Jeremy Jones had an 86-yard return during his redshirt freshman campaign on October 18, 2008, at Ferris State.  
Johnson's pick is the eighth-longest in the last 36 years of WSU football and is the longest since Anthony DeDamos' 85-yard return against Hillsdale on November 15, 2014.  

Jones holds the WSU record with a 100-yard return in a 14-9 win over No. 6-ranked Hillsdale on October 23, 2010.

The Warriors have 142 interception return yards this season, which is the most since 2019.  This is the 13th time in school history that WSU has returned two or more interceptions for a score in a season.

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 three contests.

HONORING OUR SENIORS
Prior to this Saturday's home finale, Wayne State will honor its 15-member senior class.  

Being recognized are D'Vaun Bentley, Clifton Buchanan, Angel Carrillo, Elijah Fowlkes, Ethan Gates, Chris Gillam, Colby Horn, Devon Isaac, Jayden Lewin, Brayden McKenna, Blake Nelson, Nick Ostas, Josh Sekiyoba, Justyz Tuggle, and Martell Williams.

WARRIOR DEBUTS
Through eight games, eighty-nine (89) 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, Franklin Gallagher, Zach Green, Zaiden Hall, Drew Hickmott, Donovan Isaac, Trezelle Jenkins, Jr., Creg Johnson, Luke Johnson, Spencer Lyons, Nahji Mabry, Jonathan Major, Marvin McCallum, 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 38-15 (.717) which is the toughest in D2.  The Warriors' future foes hold a 6-16 ledger (.273), while the composite record of 44-31 (.587) is fifth 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 has entered 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 with the broadcast of home games being via The PreP for the third consecutive year.

WEEKLY WITH WHEATLEY
Join head football coach Tyrone Wheatley and Brady Beedon on Wednesday, October 29, for the final Weekly with Wheatley podcast of the 2025 season.  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.  

Every show was taped at Woodbridge Pub starting at 5:30 PM in front of a live audience.  Each episode will be added to the Wayne State Athletics website for those unable to attend.