Northwest Wayne News

The Wayne State University football team lost 49-14 to Davenport University at Tom Adams Field on Saturday. This defeat brings the Warriors’ record to 0-7 overall and 0-3 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), while Davenport improved to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

Davenport took an early lead, scoring twice in the first quarter. Cephus Harris opened with a nine-yard touchdown run after a short drive, and D'Wan Mathis connected with Keonta Nixon for a 40-yard pass before Dom Grguric caught a 35-yard touchdown on the next play, making it 14-0.

Wayne State’s offense struggled in the first half. Backup quarterback Justin Cox was intercepted late in the first quarter. The Panthers capitalized, extending their lead to 28-0 by halftime, with Harris scoring three rushing touchdowns before intermission.

A highlight for Wayne State came late in the second quarter when freshman linebacker Luke Johnson intercepted Mathis and returned it 67 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. It was Wayne State’s second interception return for a touchdown this season.

At halftime, Davenport led significantly in total offense with 320 yards compared to Wayne State’s 56.

In the third quarter, Nixon caught a 50-yard touchdown pass for Davenport on their opening drive of the half. Wayne State missed a field goal attempt later in the quarter, and Harris scored his fourth rushing touchdown for Davenport soon after.

In the fourth quarter, XaVior Tyus scored his first rushing touchdown of the season for Wayne State following a key reception by freshman Drew Hickmott. Davenport closed out scoring with Jeremiah Sterling’s four-yard run.

Davenport finished with 544 total yards against Wayne State’s 175 and converted on third down at a rate of 11-for-15; Wayne State managed only one conversion out of ten attempts.

For Wayne State, Tyus led rushing with 42 yards and one score. Cox completed eleven passes for 138 yards but threw two interceptions. Hickmott had four catches for sixty-two yards. Senior linebacker Martell Williams recorded ten tackles, including one-and-a-half tackles for loss.

On Davenport’s side, Harris rushed for one hundred thirty-three yards and four touchdowns; Mathis passed for two hundred eighty-five yards and two scores; George Sims had five receptions; Nixon led all receivers with ninety yards; Xavier Marquez tallied five tackles and broke up a pass.

Wayne State will face Saginaw Valley State next Saturday at Saginaw Valley. The Cardinals have won three straight games after defeating Grand Valley State earlier in the day.