●    The Davenport football team will be playing in the month of August for the first time since 2017, which was the first game under head coach Sparky McEwen. The Panthers will be on the road for the first time this early in a season as they travel to PSAC-member Gannon University for a noon kickoff on Saturday in Erie, Pa. Davenport is coming off their third straight winning campaign in 2024 (7-4) and have won 23 games in the last three seasons under McEwen. The Golden Knights over the last three seasons are 16-16, but are coming off a 3-7 season under sixth-year head coach Erik Raeburn.
●    Davenport has been predicted to finish fourth in the rugged Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll (31 points). The team will have to navigate the loss of some quality players such as First Team All-GLIAC selections from 2024 in running back Myren Harris, wide receiver Preston Smith, kicker Brandon Gielow, defensive lineman Geemontae Peck, defensive back Cam Grodhaus, and return specialist Kendall Williams. Harris was a back-to-back GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year and Grodhaus was a Second Team All-American (AFCA). The following are the returning stat leaders from 2024:
    ► Rushing (Mac VandenHout - 128 yards)
    ► Passing (D'Wan Mathis - 580 yards)
    ► Receiving (Demetrius Garrett - 94 yards)
    ► Tackles (Latrell Scott - 55)
    ► Sacks (Reed Snitker - 3.5)
    ► Interceptions (Kennedy Nelson - 1)
The Panthers are also excited about the return of Austin Stief, who earned Honorable Mention All-GLIAC as a sophomore. He finished with 36 tackles, including eight tackles for loss a year ago. Zach Slapnicker returns for his final season and second year with the program at right tackle. Slapnicker earned Honorable Mention All-GLIAC in 2024 and started in all 11 games.
●    Gannon will be looking for a rebound year and were picked fourth in the PSAC Western Division preseason coaches poll. The Golden Knights finished 3-3 in league action and went 0-4 in non-conference games. The slow start featured a tough schedule that saw GU play three teams that qualified for the NCAA D2 playoffs. Gannon struggled on offense last year averaging 16.1 points and 299.4 yards per game. Coach Raeburn is hoping that new offensive coordinator Erik Pratt will be able to solve the problems that hindered the attack. The rebuilt offense has just three starters back with the absence of quarterback Jayden Whitaker, the PSAC West Freshman of the Year. Donell "Tank" Mason will be leaned on by the new signal caller. He caught 49 passes for 769 yards and three TD's, while earning Second Team All-PSAC West honors. On defense, Serrell Curtis is the top returning tackler with 52. Bryson Costa is a superb kicker who was First Team D2CCA All-Super Region 1 after going 6-of-8 in field goals and averaging a school-record 43.6 yards per punt on 39 attempts.
●    Davenport and Gannon have met twice on the gridiron under unique circumstances. They played a home-and-home series during COVID back in the spring of 2021 after the fall 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic. The Panthers were able to win both games with the first one on Mar. 20 in Erie, Pa. (30-22) and the return trip to Caledonia on Apr. 9 (37-22). Shaq Floyd was the difference maker on defense in Erie with three interceptions (tied school record) for 72 return yards. He had a 51-yard interception return for a score in the third quarter which gave DU a 23-14 lead. Kyshawn Richards rushed for 105 yards and a TD for the Panthers. Amonte Phillips stole the show in Caledonia with six catches for 149 yards and three TD's from Deondre Ford. Ford threw for 300 yards on 17 completions and found Gourney Sloan eight times for 69 yards. The defense held GU scoreless in the first half and Liam Cavanaugh led the defense with 10 tackles for the contest.

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