Football 11/13/2025 9:45:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Football Visits Northern Michigan for Season Finale

GAME STORYLINES
The Wayne State University football team closes out the 2025 campaign with a road contest at Northern Michigan this Saturday in the Superior Dome.

SCOUTING NORTHERN MICHIGAN
NMU enters Saturday's contest with a 2-8 overall record following a 47-45 non-conference quadruple-overtime win at Davenport on Nov. 8.

Billy Lindquist became as the interim head coach of the Wildcats prior to the contest at DU.

Redshirt freshman Noah Dobert leads the ground attack for Northern Michigan, rushing 231 times for 1,274 yards and 11 scores. Dobert earned GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after toting the ball 40 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns during a 42-21 win at Roosevelt, and once more after a 243-yard performance in which he reached the end zone four times in the win over DU.

Duke Shovald (32-of-59) and Trevor Theuerkauf (33-of-69) have both completed over 30 passes, with Shovald passing for 457 yards and two touchdowns, and Theuerkauf totaling 378 yards and four scores.

Sebastian Boyea is NMU's leading receiver, hauling in 10 passes for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Isaac Olson has six receptions for 121 yards.

Dobert handles kickoff returns for NMU, with 12 attempts for 240 yards. Chris Battley has returned 12 kickoffs as well for 191 yards. Ian Engstrom is back deep on punts, handling eight for 41 yards.

Jax Hertel leads the way on defense, with 89 total tackles including a team-high 14 for loss (two sacks), while adding five pass break-ups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and an interception.

Michael Karlen has punted 26 times for 1,072 yards, pinning opponents within the 20-yard line twice. Karlen takes care of kicking duties as well, connecting on four-of-six field goals and all 15 of his extra-point tries.

ALL-TIME SERIES
The Wildcats hold a 20-17 advantage over WSU in the all-time series, with the Warriors claiming the last two contests. When playing in Marquette, the Green and Gold is 7-10.

A BAGFUL OF M&Ms
Linebackers Martell Williams, Logan McGraw, and Max Edwards have combined for 210 tackles through the first 10 games of the season. Williams leads the way with 89 (42-47), while McGraw is second on the squad with 67 (30-37), and Edwards ranks third with 54 (24-30). In addition, the trio has combined for 26.5 of WSU's 59 tackles for loss, and four of the squad's 12 sacks.

Williams' 89 tackles is tied-for-third in the GLIAC, while McGraw's 11.5 TFL rank second.

IMPACTFUL FRESHMEN
Through 10 games, the Warriors have nine touchdown receptions, with redshirt freshmen and a true freshman accounting for six of them. Donovan Isaac has hauled in a pair of scores through the air, while Drew Hickmott has a team-leading three touchdown grabs. Newcomer Bishop Thomas added a touchdown catch at Roosevelt.

In addition, Mickey Keller broke off an 80-yard rushing touchdown late in the 59-13 loss to No. 25-Grand Valley State, which is the longest rush since Champion Edwards had an 80-yard score against Northern Michigan in last year's season finale.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
As a squad, WSU ranks 12th in the nation in kickoff return defense, allowing just 15.4 yards per return. The Green and Gold defense has produced a pair of touchdowns, which is the 33rd in the country, while the seven fumbles recovered rank 60th. Additionally, Wayne State is generating 5.9 tackles for loss per game, which is good enough for 68th in Division 2.

Individually, Logan McGraw's 0.33 forced fumbles per contest is 13th in the country, while Spencer Lyons' two fumble recoveries is 18th, with both leading the GLIAC. Martell Williams' 8.9 tackles per game is the 35th-most in the nation, while McGraw's 1.28 tackles for loss per game is 38th.

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

In 2024, the Warriors had 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 on October 25. He had an interception just before halftime keeping the deficit at 14-0. Late in the fourth quarter, Smith recovered WSU's onside kick attempt.

In the contest against Grand Valley State, the redshirt freshman tallied his second interception of the season late in the third quarter.

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 13th-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 equaled 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 161 interception return yards this season, which is the most since the 2019 squad also had 161 interception return yards. The most interception return yards in a season in the last 15 years was 401 by the 2011 team, when All-American safety Jeremy Jones had nine picks for 196 yards in 16 games.

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.

While hosting No. 25-Grand Valley State, the redshirt senior caught five passes for 62 yards, both of which were team-highs.

Tuggle had four catches for a team-high 50 yards last week at Roosevelt, including one for 26 yards.

HONORING OUR SENIORS
Prior to the home finale, Wayne State honored its 14-member senior class.

Being recognized were Clifton Buchanan, Angel Carrillo, Elijah Fowlkes, Ethan Gates, Chris Gillam, Colby Horn, Devon Isaac, Jayden Lewin, Brayden McKenna, Nick Ostas, Quincy Salter, Josh Sekiyoba, Justyz Tuggle, and Martell Williams.

WARRIOR DEBUTS
Through 10 games, ninety-seven (97) different student-athletes have seen action for Wayne State.

Twenty-one (21) have made their WSU debut after playing at a previous school, while 39 different players have made their collegiate debut.

Making their collegiate debuts this year are: Evan Bainbridge, Jordan Bell, Lance Blakely, Haiden Bollini, Liam Distelzweig, Daylon Doe, Dove Eitzen, Matthew Evans, Dharon Flowers, Franklin Gallagher, Kasim Gozic, Zach Green, Zaiden Hall, Drew Hickmott, Donovan Isaac, Trezelle Jenkins, Jr., Creg Johnson, Luke Johnson, Dylan Kress, Spencer Lyons, Nahji Mabry, Jonathan Major, Marvin McCallum, Trae'vion Meadows, Blake Nelson, Johnny Nelson, Griffin Nowak, Mikey O'Brien, Drew Rankin, Jaheem Richmond, Cecil Xavier Smith, 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, Miekael Brooker, 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
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 have faced yet another tall task during the 2025 campaign. WSU's past 2025 opponents have a cumulative record of 52-33 (.612), which is the fourth-toughest in D2. The Warriors' future foes hold a 2-8 ledger (.200), while the composite record of 54-41 (.568) is eighth 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 entered a new era for the broadcast of its football games with the launch of the Warrior Sports Network in September. 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 FloSports with the broadcast of home games being via The PreP for the third consecutive year.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#83 Jordan Bell: WR; 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore

#17 Champion Edwards: QB; 6' 1"; Junior

#33 Max Edwards: Star; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#2 Elijah Fowlkes: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#76 Ethan Gates: OL; 6' 6"; Redshirt Junior

#21 Chris Gillam: S; 6' 2"; Senior

#72 Sherod Green: OL; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#55 Colby Horn: DE; 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

#42 Devon Isaac: DE; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#14 Donovan Isaac: WR; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#83 Jordan Bell
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore
: WR

#17 Champion Edwards
: 6' 1"; Junior
: QB

#33 Max Edwards
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: Star

#2 Elijah Fowlkes
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#76 Ethan Gates
: 6' 6"; Redshirt Junior
: OL

#21 Chris Gillam
: 6' 2"; Senior
: S

#72 Sherod Green
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: OL

#55 Colby Horn
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: DE

#42 Devon Isaac
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: DE

#14 Donovan Isaac
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: WR