●    The season got off to a strong start on August 30 with a 21-12 road win at Gannon for the Panthers. The 10th season of football began with Davenport winning their fourth straight season opener, including three of those wins on the road. The Panthers were able to score in each of the first three quarters and held Gannon without a point in the second and third quarters. The defense was tested as Gannon ran 76 plays compared to 50 for the Panthers and controlled the clock for 41:13. Despite giving up 422 total yards, the defense was able to create three turnovers and DU scored all 21 points off turnovers. Gannon fumbled on the first play of their second drive to set up DU at the 15-yard line. Cephus Harris ran for a 15-yard touchdown on the next play. In the second quarter, Markell Gilford picked off a pass in the end zone and raced 100 yards for a score. In the third quarter, Gannon marched down to the Davenport 22-yard line, but fumbled on a quarterback run. DU took advantage and went 78 yards in nine plays culminating in a two-yard Harris touchdown run.
●    The offense had the ball for 26 less plays and did manage to average 5.3 yards per play at Gannon. Mac VandenHout got the start at quarterback and played for the first two series. D'Wan Mathis finished the game from there and completed 8-of-14 passes for 103 yards and an interception. VandenHout completed 2-of-5 passes for 12 yards. Harris is his debut rushed for 110 yards on just 14 carries and nearly matched his brother, Myren, who carried for 111 yards in last year's opener at Thomas More. Cephus became the first Panther running back to rush for multiple touchdowns in a season opener. Harris also caught four passes for 53 yards to lead the team in both of those categories. George Sims caught two passes for 43 yards, including a clutch 30-yard grab on 4th-and-9 to keep the drive alive that eventually led to DU's final touchdown in the third quarter. For the first time ever, the defense had three players with 10 tackles in a game. Latrell Scott, Jamar Mills, and Daion Johnson all finished with 10 tackles and Johnson also forced a fumble.
●    Truman State has started the season 0-2, but are hoping for success in their first home game of the season. The Bulldogs fell 20-17 at Washburn in the season opener on August 30. They traveled to FCS Butler University on September 6 and dropped a 37-27 contest in a battle of the Bulldogs. Truman State is averaging 22 points per game on offense with 133.5 yards on the ground and 209 yards through the air on average. The Bulldogs have struggled on third down going 8-of-24 and their opponents have completed 56-of-70 passes for 594 yards. Denim Cook has the team's two rushing touchdowns this season with 143 yards on 31 carries. Dylan Hair has completed 54.1 percent of his passes for 418 yards and four scores with no interceptions. Nathan Ryan leads the team with 103 receiving yards and two scores. Connor Baxley has recorded 22 tackles, including 14 solo with a pass breakup. Logan Montoya and Tucker McDowell led the team with three tackles for loss, and Montoya also has a forced fumble.
●    The all-time series is tied at one win apiece with each team winning on the other team's home field. The first meeting was September 4, 2021 in Caledonia with the Bulldogs winning 31-14. Cody Schrader set a record by an opponent against DU by rushing for four touchdowns and 217 yards on 35 carries. Schrader would later star in the backfield at the University of Missouri. Deondre Ford threw for two touchdowns and 176 yards in the loss for the Panthers. The season opener in 2022 saw DU get revenge, 20-19, in Kirksville. DU jumped out 13-0 in the first quarter before the Bulldogs scored the next 19 points to lead 19-13 at halftime. The only score in the second half occurred with 2:11 left in the game as Jason Whittaker found Sy Barnett on a five-yard touchdown connection. The Brandon Gielow extra point was the winning margin. Barnett finished with nine catches for 99 yards and two scores. DU was limited to 42 rushing yards, but did sack TSU's quarterback Nolan Hair five times.

Live Coverage
Video (GLVC Network - Fee)
Stats
Audio (Rick Berkey and Ryan Thompson - YouTube)