» The Panthers kick off their fourth season of football and third under head coach Sparky McEwen on Saturday at Lake Erie College. Davenport will be playing their first game as a full member of NCAA Division II and travel to Lake Erie for the first meeting between the schools.
» The coaching staff has a couple of new faces this season. Marcus White will be coaching the offensive line. Lucas Melo will be in charge of the defensive line. Josh Ware is at the helm of the running backs. Thomas White will be assisting with the wide receivers and John Johnson will assist with the defensive line.
» The roster has definitely seen some changes during the offseason. There will be 24 new student-athletes that are expect to be dressed on Saturday against the Storm. There are also eight probable starters that will be playing in their first game for the Panthers.
» DU will attempt to replicate some defensive figures that were amongst the best in NCAA Division II a season ago. The Panthers finished the regular season sixth nationally in passing yards allowed (144.2), ninth in total defense (256.5) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (98.97). The secondary will need to fill the shoes of All-American Brian Williams who led the unit to those impressive numbers.
» Derrick Calloway was a First Team All-GLIAC selection in 2018 and helped clog the middle at defensive tackle. The Panthers will be looking to find his replacement as the defensive line took a big hit in the depth department but will return Robert Clanton and Patrick McMahon in the trenches.
» Nate Couturier is back for his senior season and was selected as a First Team All-GLIAC pick as a return specialist in 2018. Couturier showed electrifying moves on punt returns and had 18 punt returns for 240 yards including an 85-yard return for a score against Northern Michigan. That return set a school record for longest punt return, but that wasn't all as Couturier set a single-game record with 142 punt return yards and 253 all-purpose yards in the overtime win earning GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Couturier also is a gifted slot receiver ranking second on the team with 32 catches for 452 yards and three touchdowns.
» Kye Black is also back for his senior season at linebacker and is the heart and soul of the defense with his relentless pursuit to the ball. Black was named Second Team All-GLIAC in 2018. He totaled 64 tackles and racked up eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this season. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one. Black was a Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection in 2017.
» Meckah Lester, DeShaun Lowery and Keion Powers are also returning after being named Honorable Mention All-GLIAC a season ago. Lester started in all 11 games at the highly difficult left tackle position. Powers led the team with 10 touchdowns with five each on the ground and through the air. He rushed for 148 yards and caught a team-high 39 passes for 465 yards. Lowery started in 10 games and made 18 tackles with three tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
» The Panthers have a 1-2 record in season openers including last year's convincing 44-7 win at NAIA Robert Morris (IL). Deondre Ford, slated to start the season under center, set a school record with four touchdown passes including three in the second quarter. His fourth came minutes into the second half and he sat out for a majority of the remainder of the contest. DU outgained Robert Morris 495-95 and limited the Eagles to 1.6 yards per play.
» The road did not prove to be too intimidating last year for the Panthers. The team went 4-2 on the road and won their first four road games in the process.

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