Davenport Panthers football, 2016–present
American college football season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Davenport Panthers football program represented Davenport University ("Davenport") in college football during the earliest years of the school's participation in intercollegiate football from 2016 to the present.
- Lou Esposito (2016)
- Sparky McEwen (2017– )
| 2016–present Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Head coach |
|
| Home stadium | Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex |
Davenport passed a resolution in November 2013 to plan for the development of an intercollegiate football team. The school hired Lou Esposito as the program's first head coach in May 2014 and built a football stadium on land donated by Farmers Insurance Group. The school fielded its first team in 2016, competing as an independent in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and compiling a 6–5 record. Esposito left Davenport after the 2016 season. In February 2017, Davenport hired Ferris State assistant coach Sparky McEwen as its new head coach.[1] Also for the 2017 season, Davenport moved to NCAA Division II as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). McEwen led the Panthers to their best seasons in 2023 (8–3) and 2024 (8–2), with the 2023 team receiving the program's first (and as of 2025 only) berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. McEwen remains Davenport's head coach as of the 2025 season.
Davenport plays its home games at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex located on the school's campus in Caledonia Township, Michigan.
Overview
| Year | Head coach | Overall record | Conf. record | Conf. rank | Points scored | Points allowed | Delta[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lou Esposito | 6–5 | na | na | 246 | 175 | +71 |
| 2017 | Sparky McEwen | 1–10 | 0–9 | 10 | 128 | 329 | -201 |
| 2018 | Sparky McEwen | 6–5 | 3–5 | 5 (tie) | 244 | 230 | +14 |
| 2019 | Sparky McEwen | 5–5 | 3–5 | 5 (tie) | 181 | 233 | -52 |
| 2021 | Sparky McEwen | 3–8 | 2–5 | 5 (tie) | 104 | 285 | -181 |
| 2022 | Sparky McEwen | 8–3 | 4–2 | 3 | 336 | 322 | +14 |
| 2023 | Sparky McEwen | 8–2 | 4–2 | 3 | 276 | 199 | +77 |
| 2024 | Sparky McEwen | 7–4 | 4–3 | 3 (tie) | 257 | 233 | +24 |
| TOTAL | 44–42 | 20–31 |
Planning for new program
In November 2013, under the leadership of athletic director Paul Lowden, Davenport passed a resolution to develop a plan for a football program.[3] Preparations for fielding a football team proceeded in 2014 and 2015, including:
- Farmers Insurance Group donated 45 acres for the construction of a football stadium that would also include a track and would also host Davenport's soccer and rugby teams. The site also included parking, a concourse, and a concession stand and ticket sales building.[4][5][6]
- Lou Esposito was hired as the school's first head football coach in May 2014, more than two years before the first game was played. Esposito had been a defensive coordinator at Ferris State and prior to that the defensive line coach at Western Michigan.[7] (Esposito now serves as the defensive line coach at Michigan.)
- Steve Casula was added as the offensive coordinator in August 2014.[8] (Casula now serves as co-offensive coordinator at Michigan.)
- A group of 95 freshmen began practice and scrimmages beginning in August 2015 and continuing through the fall.[5][9]
2016
| 2016 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Independent |
| Record | 6–5 |
| Head coach |
|
The 2016 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as an independent during the 2016 NAIA football season. In their first year of intercollegiate football, and their first and only under head coach Lou Esposito, the Panthers compiled a 6–5 record and outscored opponents by a total of 278 to 175.[10][11]
The team did not have a senior and was made up mostly of freshmen or redshirt freshmen. True freshman Hunter Krause of Fairfield, Ohio, was the team's starting quarterback.[12] Eighteen of the 22 starters were freshmen. The only two players with college game experience were receiver Herman Brunis, a transfer from Ohio University, and linebacker Brent Showers, a transfer from Northern MIchigan.[13]
On October 23, a non-student shooter opened fire on football players in a university dormitory. One football player, Braden Schrotenboer, was shot in his hand.[14]
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 27 | Taylor |
| L 28–41 | 1,600 | [15] | ||
| September 3 | at Kentucky Christian |
| W 59–0 | 950 | [16] | ||
| September 10 | at Tiffin |
| L 17–20 | 3,125 | [17] | ||
| September 17 | Kentucky Wesleyan |
| W 41–7 | 1,432 | |||
| September 24 | Arizona Christian |
| W 20–7 | 1,604 | [18] | ||
| October 1 | at Saint Xavier | Chicago, IL | W 20–7 | 1,500 | [19] | ||
| October 8 | University of Faith |
| W 32–0 | 773 | [20] | ||
| October 15 | at St. Francis (IL) | Joliet, IL | L 21–24 | 1,025 | [21] | ||
| October 22 | Quincy |
| W 14–10 | 1,311 | |||
| October 29 | St. Joseph's (IN) |
| L 20–24 | 1,694 | |||
| November 5 | No. 4 St. Francis (IN) |
| L 6–35 | 1,213 | |||
| |||||||
2017
| 2017 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 1–10 (0–9 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 10 Ashland $^ | 9 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Ferris State ^ | 8 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Valley State | 7 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tiffin | 5 | – | 4 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwood | 5 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 4 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 3 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 3 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 1 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport * | 0 | – | 9 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2017 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year of intercollegiate football, and the first year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled a 1–10 record (0–9 in conference games), finished in last place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 329 to 128.[22][23]
On offense, the Panthers gained 1,684 rushing yards and 1,269 passing yards. On defense, they allowed opponents 2,259 rushing yards and 1,565 passing yards.[22] The individual leaders were Holden Majewski (667 passing yards), William Gist (373 rushing yards), and Deondre Moore (24 receptions for 316 yards).[22]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31 | 7:00 p.m. | Concordia (MI)* |
| L 6–25 | 1,637 | |||
| September 9 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 14 Grand Valley State | L 0–48 | 16,734 | ||||
| September 16 | 12:00 p.m. | Tiffin |
| L 14–27 | 1,135 | |||
| September 23 | 1:30 p.m. | at Northern Michigan | L 14–24 | 3,971 | ||||
| September 30 | 12:05 p.m. | No. 20 Ashland |
| L 0–38 | 894 | |||
| October 7 | 3:00 p.m. | at Saginaw Valley State | L 0–33 | 2,485 | ||||
| October 14 | 1:05 p.m. | McKendree |
| W 27–24 2OT | 694 | |||
| October 21 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northwood |
| L 30–33 2OT | 1,827 | |||
| October 28 | 1:00 p.m. | at Michigan Tech | L 10–17 | 788 | ||||
| November 4 | 12:05 p.m. | No. 12 Ferris State |
| L 0–26 | 802 | |||
| November 11 | 12:00 p.m. | Wayne State (MI) |
| L 27–34 OT | 1,044 | |||
| ||||||||
2018
| 2018 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 6–5 (3–5 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Ferris State $^ | 8 | – | 0 | 15 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 14 Grand Valley State ^ | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ashland | 6 | – | 2 | 6 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport * | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwood | 3 | – | 5 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2018 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. In their second year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled a 6–5 record (3–5 in conference games), tied for fifth place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 244 to 230.[24][25]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1 | 4:05 p.m. | at Robert Morris (IL)* | W 44–7 | 750 | ||||
| September 8 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 4 D-III Wisconsin-Oshkosh* |
| W 7–3 | 890 | |||
| September 15 | 1:00 p.m. | at Michigan Tech | W 23–21 | 1,808 | ||||
| September 22 | 1:00 p.m. | at Quincy* |
| W 26–10 | 1,000 | |||
| September 29 | 12:05 p.m. | Northern Michigan |
| W 31–30 OT | 1,844 | |||
| October 6 | 6:07 p.m. | at Wayne State (MI) | W 37–14 | 1,524 | ||||
| October 13 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northwood |
| L 22–30 | 1,815 | |||
| October 20 | 12:55 p.m. | No. 8 Grand Valley State |
| L 14–19 | 2,400 | |||
| October 27 | 12:05 p.m. | Ashland |
| L 6–31 | 592 | |||
| November 3 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 2 Ferris State | L 17–41 | 3,014 | ||||
| November 10 | 12:20 p.m. | Saginaw Valley State |
| L 17–24 OT | 651 | |||
| ||||||||
2019
| 2019 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 5–5 (3–5 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Home stadium | Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Ferris State $^ | 8 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 7 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ashland | 6 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Valley State | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwood | 1 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 0 | – | 8 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2019 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2019 NCAA Division II football season. In their third year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled a 5–5 record (3–5 in conference games), tied for fifth place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 233 to 181.[26][27]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14 | 2:00 p.m. | at Lake Erie* |
| W 13–9 | 717 | |||
| September 21 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northern Michigan | W 21–7 | 3,611 | ||||
| September 28 | 12:00 p.m. | Lindenwood* |
| W 35–24 | 1,562 | |||
| October 5 | 12:05 p.m. | No. 2 Ferris State |
| L 7–35 | 1,612 | |||
| October 12 | 1:00 p.m. | at Ashland |
| L 27–30 | 3,207 | |||
| October 19 | 12:05 p.m. | Michigan Tech |
| L 17–30 | 1,242 | |||
| October 26 | 7:05 p.m. | at No. 16 Grand Valley State | L 7–27 | 5,262 | ||||
| November 2 | 12:05 p.m. | Wayne State (MI) |
| L 0–34 | 1,029 | |||
| November 9 | 12:05 p.m. | Northwood |
| W 21–14 | 1,344 | [28] | ||
| November 16 | 1:00 p.m. | at Saginaw Valley State | W 33–23 | 1,750 | ||||
| ||||||||
2020
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
| 2021 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 3–8 (2–5 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Ferris State $^ | 7 | – | 0 | 14 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 7 Grand Valley State ^ | 6 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 5 | – | 2 | 6 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 4 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 2 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport | 2 | – | 5 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 2 | – | 5 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwood | 0 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2021 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled a 3–8 record (2–5 in conference games), finished a three-way tie for fifth place in the GLIAC, and were outscored by a total of 285 to 104.[29][30]
The team's statistical leaders included Deondre Ford (577 passing yards), Jaier Harden (348 rushing yards), Amonte Phillips (28 receptions for 334 yards), and Bryan Plegue (30 points scored on 12 extra points and six field goals).[29] The team also featured linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse, a former four-star recruit and Central Africa native who tansferred to Davenport after being dismissed from the Michigan Wolverines football program in late 2017.[31][32]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4 | 12:05 p.m. | Truman State* |
| L 14–31 | 1,266 | |||
| September 11 | 12:00 p.m. | at Walsh* |
| W 10–6 | 754 | |||
| September 18 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northern Michigan | L 14–20 | 1,536 | ||||
| September 25 | 3:00 p.m. | at No. 3 Ferris State | L 0–38 | 6,636 | ||||
| October 2 | 1:00 p.m. | at Michigan Tech |
| L 7–31 | 1,700 | |||
| October 9 | 12:05 p.m. | Northern Michigan |
| W 18–13 | 1,202 | |||
| October 16 | 12:05 p.m. | Wayne State |
| L 3–16 | 688 | |||
| October 23 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northwood |
| W 21–14 | 1,115 | |||
| October 30 | 12:00 p.m. | Saginaw Valley State |
| L 3–24 | 1,050 | |||
| November 6 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 1 Ferris State |
| L 14–50 | 1,266 | |||
| November 13 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 5 Grand Valley State | L 0–42 | 8,483 | ||||
| ||||||||
2022
| 2022 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
NCAA Division II playoffs (first round), L 7-41 vs. Ferris State | |
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 8–3 (4–2 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Grand Valley State $^ | 6 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Ferris State ^ | 5 | – | 1 | 14 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 20 Davenport ^ | 4 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 3 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 2 | – | 4 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 1 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 0 | – | 6 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2022 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled an 8–3 record (4–2 in conference games), finished in third place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 336 to 322.[33][34] The team opened the season with eight consecutive victories, the most victories in program history. For the first time in school history, the team participated in the NCAA Division II playoffs, losing to Ferris State in the first round.
The team was led on offense by quarterback Jason Whitaker, a Rockford, Michigan, native who transferred from Northwestern.[32][35] Whitaker completed 185 of 346 passes for 2,309 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 127.96 passer rating.[33]
The team's other statistical leaders included Sy Barnett (694 receiving yards), Caleef Jenkins (575 rushing yards), and Brandon Gielow (65 points scored on 38 extra points and nine field goals).[33]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 3 | 12:00 p.m. | at Truman State* |
| W 20–19 | 2,800 | [36][37] | |||
| September 17 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Michigan |
| W 31–21 | 1,366 | ||||
| September 24 | 2:00 p.m. | Northwood* |
| W 51–17 | 1,822 | ||||
| October 1 | 1:00 p.m. | Michigan Tech |
| FloSports | W 52–38 | 1,622 | |||
| October 8 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northern Michigan | W 27–24 OT | 1,143 | |||||
| October 15 | 12:00 p.m. | Wayne State (MI) |
| W 47–43 | 1,277 | ||||
| October 22 | 12:00 p.m. | Lincoln (CA)* |
| W 58–14 | 1,300 | ||||
| October 29 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 23 Saginaw Valley State | W 29–28 | 1,920 | |||||
| November 5 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 7 Ferris State | L 7–28 | 3,600 | [38] | ||||
| November 12 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 1 Grand Valley State |
| FloSports | L 7–49 | 2,888 | [39][40] | ||
| November 19 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 5 Ferris State* |
| L 7–41 | 1,107 | [41][42] | |||
| |||||||||
2023
| 2023 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 8–2 (4–2 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 3 Grand Valley State $^ | 6 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 9 Ferris State ^ | 5 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport | 4 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 3 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 2 | – | 4 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 1 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2023 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled an 8–2 record (4–2 in conference games), finished in third place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 336 to 322.[43][44]
The team's statistical leaders included Jason Whitaker (1,812 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, 127.94 passer rating), Peyton Brown (34 receptions for 551 yards), Myren Harris (976 rushing yards), and Brandon Gielow (59 points scored on 29 extra points and 10 touchdowns).[43]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Thomas More* |
| W 31–17 | 1,433 | |||||
| September 9 | 12:00 p.m. | Bowie State* |
| W 24–19 | 1,304 | |||||
| September 23 | 12:00 p.m. | William Jewell* | No. 21 |
| W 55–27 | 1,500 | ||||
| September 30 | 1:00 p.m. | at Michigan Tech | No. 18 | FloSports | W 28–0 | 2,600 | ||||
| October 7 | 2:00 p.m. | Northern Michigan | No. 16 |
| W 28–12 | 1,666 | ||||
| October 14 | 6:00 p.m. | at Wayne State (MI) | No. 16 | W 32–3 | 1,738 | |||||
| October 21 | 12:00 p.m. | at University of Mary* | No. 13 |
| W 44–34 | 1,773 | ||||
| October 28 | 12:00 p.m. | Saginaw Valley State | No. 11 |
| W 24–21 | 1,112 | ||||
| November 4 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 7 Ferris State | No. 9 |
| FloSports | L 10–28 | 2,150 | [45] | ||
| November 11 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 2–T Grand Valley State | No. 16 | L 0–38 | 10,259 | |||||
| ||||||||||
2024
| 2024 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 7–4 (4–3 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Ferris State $^ | 7 | – | 0 | 14 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6 Grand Valley State ^ | 6 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport | 4 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 4 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 4 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 2 | – | 5 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roosevelt* | 1 | – | 6 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 0 | – | 7 | 0 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2024 Davenport Panthers football team represented Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season. In their seventh year under head coach Sparky McEwen, the Panthers compiled a 7–4 record (4–3 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for third place in the GLIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 257 to 233.[46][47]
The team's statistical leaders included Myren Harris (849 rushing yards), Mike O'Hara (1,010 passing yards), Preston Smith (36 receptions for 430 yards), and Brandon Gielow (67 points on 31 extra points and 12 field goals).[46]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 7 | 12:00 p.m. | at Thomas More* |
| W 24–17 | 1,457 | |||
| September 14 | 11:00 a.m. | at Bowie State* |
| W 17–14 | 1,303 | |||
| September 21 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 11 Central Missouri* |
| L 31–32 | 1,202 | |||
| September 28 | 1:00 p.m. | at William Jewell* |
| W 17–7 | 450 | |||
| October 5 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 2 Grand Valley State |
| L 7–24 | 2,102 | [48] | ||
| October 12 | 12:00 p.m. | at Michigan Tech |
| W 24–20 | 1,231 | |||
| October 19 | 2:00 p.m. | Wayne State |
| W 43–26 | 1,445 | |||
| October 26 | 2:00 p.m. | at Roosevelt | W 19–14 | 692 | ||||
| November 2 | 1:00 p.m. | at Saginaw Valley State | L 14–24 | 4,339 | ||||
| November 9 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Michigan |
| W 52–31 | 1,203 | |||
| November 16 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 2 Ferris State | L 9–24 | 2,149 | [49][50] | |||
| ||||||||
2025
| 2025 Davenport Panthers football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Record | 5–5 (4–3 GLIAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Home stadium | Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 1 Ferris State $^ | 7 | – | 0 | 16 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Valley State | 5 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saginaw Valley State | 5 | – | 2 | 6 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Tech | 4 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Davenport | 4 | – | 3 | 5 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northern Michigan | 2 | – | 5 | 3 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roosevelt* | 1 | – | 6 | 2 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wayne State (MI) | 0 | – | 7 | 0 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2025 Davenport Panthers football team represent Davenport University as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division II football season. Sparky McEwen leads the team in his eighth season as the Panthers' head coach.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 30 | 12:00 p.m. | at Gannon* | W 21–12 | 823 | |||||
| September 13 | 1:00 p.m. | at Truman State* |
| L 27–28 OT | 1,200 | ||||
| September 20 | 1:00 p.m. | at Northern Michigan | FloSports | W 35–16 | 2,680 | ||||
| September 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Lincoln (CA)* |
| FloSports | Cancelled | – | [51] | ||
| October 4 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 10 Grand Valley State | FloSports | L 14–37 | 15,188 | ||||
| October 11 | 2:00 p.m. | Michigan Tech |
| FloSports | L 14–16 | 1,837 | |||
| October 18 | 1:00 p.m. | at Wayne State (MI) | FloSports | W 49–14 | 1,213 | ||||
| October 25 | 12:00 p.m. | Roosevelt |
| FloSports | W 75–23 | 1,249 | |||
| November 1 | 12:00 p.m. | Saginaw Valley State |
| FloSports | W 31–17 | 966 | |||
| November 8 | 12:00 p.m. | Northern Michigan* |
| FloSports | L 45–47 4OT | 767 | |||
| November 15 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 1 Ferris State |
| FloSports | L 23–44 | 1,266 | |||
| |||||||||