CALEDONIA, Mich. — Davenport (4-3, 3-2 GLIAC) triumphed over Roosevelt University (1-6, 0-4 GLIAC) with a commanding 75-23 victory at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex on Saturday. The Panthers set the school record for points in a game and never left a doubt in this one.
Davenport took control early in the first quarter, scoring twice in the opening minutes with a four-yard touchdown pass from
D'Wan Mathis to
Clint Walker followed by a 27-yard interception return from
Vincent Cooley at 12:17 of the quarter on Roosevelt's first play. Mathis extended the lead later in the quarter with a 51-yard rushing touchdown (his first of the season), bringing the home team's score to 21-7 after the Lakers' 27-yard touchdown pass from Tony Chahino to Michael Prokos on their second drive.
Cephus Harris capped the period with a 37-yard rushing touchdown, giving Davenport a 28-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Davenport capitalized on a strong ground game in the second quarter, extending their lead with three rushing touchdowns, highlighted by
Cephus Harris' 87-yard, school-record touchdown run at 6:44. It was his third rushing touchdown of the game after a four-yard score at 13:38 of the second quarter. The Lakers struggled to maintain possession at the DU 38-yard line on the next drive, as a fumble recovery by
Myles Harris at 10:42 halted their momentum. The Lakers trailed 49-7 and drove down to the DU 10-yard line in 13 plays, but were stopped on 4th-and-1 for a turnover on downs. The Panthers had a bad snap and lost 11 yards for a safety and the score was 49-9.
Xavier Marquez intercepted a pass right before the half to prevent any further scoring.
Davenport capitalized on special teams to open the third quarter with a significant 81-yard punt return touchdown by
Asher Gregory at 12:27, extending their lead to 55-9 after a missing extra point by
Caiden Thomas.
George Sims added to the momentum with an 87-yard kickoff return touchdown at 9:42 after Roosevelt scored on a Chahino pass to Norbert Espadron from five yards on 4th-and-goal to make it 55-16. The Panthers maintained control, with
Ian Jenkins converting a 32-yard field goal at 3:43 for the team's first field goal of the season, cementing a 65-16 lead by the period's end.
Davenport opened the fourth quarter with a dominant rushing attack, as Gregory's 18-yard run set up
J.T. Hartman's five-yard touchdown (first of his career), extending their lead to 72-16. Davenport capitalized on a key interception by
Cash Ruff (first of his career), leading to Jenkins' 19-yard field goal with 8:01 left in the game. Despite a late touchdown by the Lakers, Davenport maintained control, closing the game with a 75-23 victory.
D'Wan Mathis completed 6-of-9 passes for 81 yards and one touchdown, while adding 72 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Cephus Harris tallied a program-record 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns on eight attempts, leading the ground attack. Gregory contributed with 112 punt return yards, including an 81-yard touchdown return. On the defensive side,
Xavier Marquez recorded six tackles and one interception, highlighting the team's defensive efforts.
Latrell Scott led the team with 11 tackles. The DU defense got six takeaways with three interceptions and three fumbles. The Lakers averaged 4.2 yards per play on 79 plays.
Myles Harris recorded six tackles and a fumble recovery. DU had eight tackles for loss on the day.
Looking ahead, Davenport will face Saginaw Valley State (5-3, 4-0 GLIAC) on Saturday, November 1. The game will take place in Caledonia, Mich., with kickoff set for noon.
Game Notes:
- School records set today: Most points in a game (75), Most rushing yards in a game (387), Most turnovers caused (6), Most all-purpose yards (791),
Cephus Harris longest run (87), Harris most rushing yards (181).
