Davenport has climbed to No. 9 in this week's AFCA Division II poll and it marks a tie for their highest ranking dating back to October 30, 2023 when they were 8-0 entering the Ferris State matchup. The Panthers have met every challenge to this point at 6-0 and have a scoring margin of plus-18 on average through six games. The latest contest proved to be the team's best defensive effort in a 30-0 shutout over Northern Michigan on homecoming last Saturday. The last shutout prior was on Sept. 30, 2023 with a 28-0 win at Michigan Tech.

Davenport used their relentless ground-and-pound game to the tune of 307 rushing yards and Cephus Harris scored three times via the ground. Harris scored the final three touchdowns for the Panthers and now has three games this season with three rushing touchdowns. Harris finished with 225 rushing yards on 29 carries and went over 1,000 yards this season. In the process, he broke his own single-season school record from last year and currently leads Division II with 1,224 yards. The offense also distributed the ball to eight different receivers as Jonathan Palmer completed 10 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. His scoring pass was a 32-yarder to Brody Thompson on the game's first drive. Ryan Moore also connected on a 29-yard field goal, his first as a Panther, in the second quarter to wrap up the scoring plays for Davenport. The Wildcats were held to 246 total yards, including 75 passing, but did get 147 rushing yards from Noah Dobert on 30 carries. Vincent Cooley got his first interception of the season and third of his DU career to go with two solo tackles. Zack Pappadakis led the team with nine tackles, including two solo stops. The defense finished with five tackles for loss and a season-high seven pass breakups. Cam Williams had two of those breakups and finished with four tackles.

Roosevelt has orchestrated one of the best turnarounds in Division II. After going 2-8 last season, the Lakers under second-year head coach Billy McKeon are off to a 5-1 start and a 1-1 record in the GLIAC. The Lakers began the season 4-0 and dropped a 57-28 decision against Michigan Tech in the GLIAC opener. Last week, the Lakers went on the road and defeated Wayne State 33-18. Roosevelt shutout the Warriors for the first three quarters building a 24-0 lead. DJ Simmons Jr. was the story with seven catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Tony Chahino threw for 294 yards and those three touchdowns. Carl Bew carried nine times for a team-high 107 yards and a score. Khalil Nichols led the defense with 11 tackles and also had an interception. Stacey Terry also recorded five tackles and an interception. Roosevelt this season is converting on 40.2 percent of their third downs and 60 percent (9-of-15) on fourth down. They have also been successful in the red-zone department going 22-of-24 with 14 touchdowns. Chahino this season is completing 59.7 percent of his passes for 904 yards and 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions.

There is a brief history between the two schools as Davenport leads 2-0. The first meeting was Oct. 26, 2024 at Roosevelt and it was a tight contest with the Panthers prevailing 19-14. Roosevelt took a 14-10 lead into halftime as Preston Smith caught a 24-yard touchdown from Mike O'Horo with 7:19 left in the second quarter. DU shutout the Lakers in the second half and got an 87-yard kickoff return for a score by Antjuan Collins to start the third quarter. Deeb Alawan recorded a safety for the final two points with 27 seconds left in the game. Davenport set a school record for points in a game winning 75-23 last season on Oct. 25 in Caledonia. Vincent Cooley had a 27-yard interception return in the first quarter as part of a 28-point quarter for the Panthers. Cephus Harris rushed for 181 yards on just eight carries including a school-record 87-yard touchdown run. He scored three times on the ground in the first half alone. DU also scored on an 81-yard punt return by Asher Gregory in the third quarter and an 87-yard kickoff return by George Sims just about three minutes later. J.T. Hartman scored the final touchdown for the Panthers on a five-yard run with 10:58 left in the game. DU rushed for 387 yards in the contest and finished with 503 total yards. The Panthers only needed to punt once and did not turn the ball over. Chahino completed 17-of-34 passes for 163 yards and two scores. Latrell Scott led the Davenport defense with 11 tackles and broke up a pass. Cash Ruff collected four tackles and had an interception for nine return yards. Jake Fetrow registered five tackles.



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