• Davenport entered the season knowing that they would have to be road warriors with seven of their 11 games in enemy territory. Through two games, mission accomplished so far as DU is 2-0 with wins at Thomas More and Bowie State. The Panthers defeated the Bulldogs last Saturday in Bowie, Md. by a final score of 17-14. DU did all of their scoring in the first half and the defense did the rest. Brandon Gielow booted a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter. Preston Smith caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Mike O'Horo in the second quarter. O'Horo then found Antjuan Collins for a 19-yard TD with 2:19 left in the second quarter.
• The team has tasted early season success during the month of September going 9-0 dating back to the 2022 season. 
• Central Missouri dropped from No. 2 to No. 11 this week in the AFCA Division II Poll after a 57-40 defeat on the road at Central Oklahoma. The Mules (1-1) and Bronchos actually played a scoreless first quarter before combining for 97 points over the final three quarters. UCO was dialed in on offense to the tune of 731 yards on 97 plays. They rushed for 274 yards and five scores and threw it for 457 yards and three more scores. UCM totaled 501 yards including 437 through the air. Reigning Harlon Hill winner Zach Zebrowski completed 27-of-55 passes with six touchdowns and one interception. Zebrowski through two games might once again be a front-runner for his second straight Harlon Hill trophy. He is 65-of-103 passing for 940 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 36 yards and another score.
• Head Coach Sparky McEwen has led the program to unprecedented heights over the last 23 games and hopes to continue to build the program in 2024. The Panthers are 18-5 during that span and have started 8-0 in 2022 and 2023. The only losses have come against nationally-ranked teams in Grand Valley State and Ferris State. In those five setbacks, the lowest ranking of the opponent was No. 7 coming against Ferris State in the regular season in 2022 and 2023.
   

• Davenport has been a quick start team through the first two games outscoring their opponents 31-7 in the first half. In addition, they have a 17-0 edge in the first quarter. If you go back to last year, over the last 12 games, Davenport has allowed just 10 points in the first quarter which has been a recipe for success. On the flip side, they will need to make adjustments in the second half as they have been outscored 24-10 this season.
• One key stat that the Panthers have improved upon over recent seasons is third-down conversion percentage. Davenport currently ranks No. 2 in the GLIAC and No. 37 in NCAA Division II at 44.8 percent. The Panthers were 7-of-13 on third downs at Bowie State a week ago.

• Today marks the first meeting between DU and Central Missouri out of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The 14-team league is one of the best in NCAA Division II with the likes of UCM, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri State, and Pittsburg State. The conference has claimed a total of eight national championships since 1991. Northwest Missouri State has won six of those since 1998, with Pittsburg State claiming the other two (1991, 2011). Today is the first time that Davenport has played a member of the MIAA on the gridiron.
• The Panthers embark on the first of their four games on Saturday and went 5-1 at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in 2023. The team averaged 28.7 points per game in those contests.

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