DETROIT, Mich. - The 2022 football season got its official kickoff on Monday, July 25 with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Media Day on the campus of Wayne State University. Davenport was represented by head coach
Sparky McEwen entering his sixth season along with senior defensive back
Jalen Robinson (Detroit, Mich./Oak Park H.S.) and redshirt sophomore
Jaier Harden (Grand Rapids, Mich./Innovation Central H.S.).
The Panthers are coming off a 3-8 season in 2021 in which they also posted a 2-5 record in the GLIAC. The biggest question mark heading into the season is whether the offense can provide a spark. Davenport averaged 9.5 points per game last season and scored a total of 12 touchdowns. The team played five different quarterbacks and are looking for someone to take the reins and command the offense. Harden returns after leading the team with 348 rushing yards.
Kyshawn Richards also returns after rushing for 231 yards.
There were five Panthers last season that caught double-digit passes but only one of them return in
Roy Livingstone. He caught 19 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The team will be looking for pass catchers to emerge in preseason camp. The offensive line will need to come together and establish running lanes in order to set up a pass attack.
Dwight Harris played in seven games and made two starts and will look to make a bigger impact.
Prince Sammons did start in five games but injuries prevented him from playing more than that.
Solomon Thomas sat out during the spring practice sessions but did start in three games last season.
The defense has been the backbone of the program since its inception and over the last three years have ranked in the top four in yards allowed per game in the GLIAC. Robinson had the best tackling season in Davenport history with 101 tackles last season and was named Second Team All-GLIAC. The team's top five tacklers return which should mean that the defense will once again be stout.
The secondary will also return
Shaq Floyd who played in all 11 games and totaled 54 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups. The linebackers are led by Elysse Mbem-Bosse who produced 53 tackles in his first season as a Panther. He also had four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Justin Castell totaled 48 tackles including 5.5 tackles for loss.
Tierre Turner is the leading returner on the defensive line and had 43 tackles including 4.5 tackles for loss.
The special teams were among the best in the league in 2021.
Kyle Wojahn was named Second Team All-GLIAC and punted 84 times for an average of 38.6 and landed 18 inside the 20-yard line.
Bryan Plegue connected on 6-of-11 field goals and kicked a school record 45-yard field goal last season. He was also 12-for-12 in extra points.
The Panthers will open the 2022 season with a road trip to Truman State on Sept. 3.
