Northwest Wayne News

The Wayne State University football team will return to Tom Adams Field to host Davenport University following a recent loss to top-ranked Ferris State. Both teams are looking to recover after defeats in their previous games.

Davenport enters the matchup with a 2-3 record, having lost its last two games to Grand Valley State and Michigan Tech. The Panthers have won both of their games on the road this season, with victories against Gannon and Northern Michigan. Head coach Sparky McEwen is in his ninth season at Davenport, holding a 42-40 record and having led the team to a winning season for the past three years. He was named the 2022 GLIAC Coach of the Year after guiding the Panthers to an NCAA Division II Playoff appearance.

D'Wan Mathis is Davenport's starting quarterback, with 658 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing 61 percent of his passes. He also contributes as a runner, with 97 yards on 33 carries. The Panthers' leading receiver is Keonta Nixon, who has 208 yards on 13 catches and one touchdown. Nixon earned First Team All-GLIAC honors last season while playing for Roosevelt Lakers.

Running back Cephus Harris leads Davenport's rushing attack and is averaging the most rushing yards per game in the conference. He ranks fourth in the GLIAC with 466 total rushing yards. On special teams, Asher Gregory returns punts for Davenport, while George Sims and Michael Young handle kickoff returns.

Defensively, Latrell Scott leads the Panthers with 40 tackles. Kennedy Nelson and Jamon Gibson have each recorded two sacks, and Markell Gilford has two interceptions.

In the all-time series between Wayne State and Davenport, Davenport leads 4-3. Wayne State won three of the first four meetings, but Davenport has won the last three. Wayne State has not beaten Davenport at home since 2018 and 2023.

Wayne State linebacker Spencer Lyons returned from injury last week and made four tackles and recovered two fumbles against Ferris State. Linebackers Martell Williams and Logan McGraw have combined for 108 tackles this season, with Williams leading the GLIAC in tackles and McGraw ranking second in tackles for loss.

Kelly Matthews scored on a 53-yard interception return against Michigan Tech, marking Wayne State's first interception return for a touchdown since 2022. Justyz Tuggle has led Wayne State in receiving yards over the last three games and contributed both as a receiver and passer.

Redshirt freshman Drew Hickmott is tied for fourth in the conference with three touchdown receptions and leads the team in average yards per catch among players with at least five receptions. Senior safety Elijah Fowlkes recorded his first interception of the season at Findlay and has been recognized as Defensive Player of the Week multiple times.

Wayne State has used 86 different student-athletes through six games this season, including 20 transfers from other schools and 31 players making their collegiate debut. The roster includes 126 players, but only 53 are returners from last season.

The coaching staff features seven new hires, including four full-time coaches and three graduate assistants. Mustafa Khaleefah was promoted to full-time Tight Ends Coach.

Wayne State was picked sixth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. After playing one of the toughest schedules in NCAA Division II last season, Wayne State faces another challenging slate this year, with its opponents having a combined .821 winning percentage so far.

The team includes student-athletes from 13 states and one Canadian province, with most coming from Michigan. There are also several sets of brothers on the roster, as well as players with family ties to former college or professional athletes.

Wayne State football games are now broadcast on the Warrior Sports Network, with veteran broadcaster Sean Baligian calling play-by-play. Home games are also available on Flo Sports via The PreP.

Head coach Tyrone Wheatley participates in a weekly podcast called "Weekly with Wheatley," featuring assistant coaches and student-athletes. Upcoming episodes will be recorded live at Woodbridge Pub and posted on the Wayne State Athletics website.