Northwest Wayne News

The Wayne State University football team will conclude its two-game home stand on Saturday with a 6 p.m. kickoff against the University of Indianapolis. This will be WSU's last home game until an October 12th matchup with Ferris State.

After facing two top 30 ranked opponents to begin the season, the schedule remains challenging for the Warriors as they host the 16th-ranked Greyhounds at Tom Adams Field for the first time since 2017. Following this game, WSU will embark on their longest road trips of the season with over a 1,200-mile round trip to Kirksville, Missouri to face Truman State on September 28, followed by an 1,100-mile round trip to Houghton, Michigan on October 5.

The Greyhounds enter week three with a record of 2-0 after defeating Hillsdale and Truman State. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Indianapolis has started their season with two wins. Chris Keevers is in his sixth season as head coach of Indianapolis after spending 25 years as the team's defensive coordinator. Keevers has compiled a record of 39-10 since taking over in 2019.

Junior quarterback Gavin Sukup returns after being named GLVC Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. Sukup has thrown for 584 yards and five touchdowns through two games this season and also provides a rushing threat, having garnered seven rushing touchdowns in addition to his passing accomplishments last year.

Receivers Cobi Lewis and Anthony Crowell have combined for 308 yards on 16 catches in two games this season. Both players received All-GLVC honors in 2023; Lewis was named to the Second Team while Crowell was named to the First Team and awarded GLVC Freshman of the Year.

Senior running back Jon Lewis has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in each of his previous seasons and continues his strong performance with three touchdowns and an average of over five yards per carry so far this year.

Indianapolis holds a lead of 14-10 in their all-time series against Wayne State. The most recent meeting saw Indianapolis secure a win with a scoreline of 28-7 last season. However, each team has won five times in their past ten matchups.

Wayne State's Champion Edwards made headlines by becoming the first WSU quarterback since Doug Griffin (2013) to rush for more than 100 yards in a game during their contest against Findlay. Redshirt senior wide receiver Myles McKatherine caught touchdown passes in consecutive games for WSU, matching Trevonte Davis' achievement from September 2021.

In other highlights from recent games: junior wide receiver Manny Harris scored his first career touchdown reception against Findlay; redshirt junior linebacker Justin Hart recorded eleven tackles during his first collegiate start; Dahmir Farnum was credited with a sack following an intentional grounding penalty by Findlay’s kicker Owen Clevenger; fourteen players made their collegiate debut while thirteen others made their Warrior debut across Wayne State’s initial games this season.

Wayne State’s offensive line boasts significant experience led by redshirt juniors Aidan Tweedy and Charles Wesley who have both received GLIAC honors previously. Despite facing one of Division II’s toughest schedules again this year according to NCAA metrics—WSU plays three preseason top-25 teams—the Warriors remain optimistic about improving upon last year's results under challenging conditions.

Wayne State currently features several sets of brothers within its roster along with familial ties among current players and former Warriors adding depth off-field connections within its ranks which include athletes from twelve different states across America though primarily hailing from Michigan itself making up bulk squad numbers representing university spirit alongside seasoned veterans returning bolster younger talents shaping future prospects positively heading into forthcoming fixtures ahead amidst intense competition awaiting them soon enough altogether overall likewise similarly accordingly thereof herewith herein thenceforth forthwith hereby thusly whereupon thereunto thereby henceforth wherein notwithstanding therefore whereby thereafter whencewhenever whereas nevertheless albeit notwithstanding despite yet still nonetheless anyway anyhow however but although even if only except unless meanwhile meantime further additionally besides moreover otherwise instead conversely alternatively meanwhile meantime further additionally besides moreover otherwise instead conversely alternatively meanwhile meantime further additionally besides moreover otherwise instead conversely alternatively whilst whilst whilst whiles whilst whiles whiles whiles whiles

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