Eastern Wayne Today

The Wayne State University football team is preparing to travel to Arlington Heights, Illinois, for a matchup against Roosevelt University. This game marks the first of two road contests that will conclude the Warriors’ 2025 season.

Roosevelt enters the contest with a 1-7 record, having secured its only win in the season opener against Quincy. The Lakers are led by head coach Billy McKeon, who is in his first year at the helm after serving as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach last season. McKeon previously spent eight years coaching at Saint Xavier University and was an All-American wide receiver during his playing days.

Quarterback Zach Zella leads Roosevelt with 1,172 passing yards and nine touchdowns this season. Freshman Tony Chahino set a school record last week with 366 passing yards and two touchdowns in a single game. Senior Cam Davis tops the team’s rushing statistics with 465 yards and three touchdowns while also contributing as a receiver and kickoff returner.

Four Roosevelt receivers have surpassed 300 receiving yards this year: Norion Espadron (622), Jack Young Jr. (322), Norbert Espadron (318), and Michael Prokos (302). On special teams, Davis has returned 18 kickoffs for 370 yards, while Norion Espadron has added significant yardage on both kickoff and punt returns.

Defensively, Brandon Harvey leads Roosevelt with 58 tackles. Defensive lineman KJ Hayes paces the squad in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (2). Freshman Eoin O’Sullivan handles punting duties, averaging 44.5 yards per punt over 35 attempts.

Wayne State holds a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series between these programs after winning their first meeting at home by a score of 38-14. This upcoming game will be Roosevelt’s first time hosting Wayne State.

For Wayne State, linebackers Martell Williams, Logan McGraw, and Max Edwards have combined for more than 200 tackles so far this season. Williams’ total of 84 tackles is tied for most in the GLIAC conference; McGraw ranks second in tackles for loss with 11.5.

Redshirt freshmen have contributed five of Wayne State’s seven touchdown receptions through nine games—Donovan Isaac has two touchdown catches while Drew Hickmott leads with three.

As a team, Wayne State ranks seventh nationally in kickoff return defense by allowing just 14.5 yards per return. The defense has produced two touchdowns this year—tied for twenty-eighth nationwide—and recovered seven fumbles so far this season.

Individually, Logan McGraw is among national leaders with an average of one-third forced fumbles per game; Spencer Lyons’ two fumble recoveries lead both the nation and GLIAC conference alongside Williams’ tackle numbers.

Wayne State successfully executed an onside kick at Saginaw Valley State earlier this year—the second consecutive season they’ve accomplished that feat.

Redshirt freshman Wendell Smith made key plays recently at Saginaw Valley State by recording an interception before halftime and recovering an onside kick late in the fourth quarter; he also intercepted another pass against Grand Valley State.

In recent weeks, Kelly Matthews returned an interception for a touchdown against Michigan Tech—a play known as a “pick six”—while Luke Johnson recorded another pick six versus Davenport just two weeks later. The Warriors now have accumulated their highest interception return yardage since the 2019 season.

On offense, Justyz Tuggle has led Wayne State in receiving yards during several games this year and provided explosive plays including multiple long receptions as well as throwing a touchdown pass against Michigan Tech.

Before last week’s home finale, Wayne State honored its senior class: Clifton Buchanan, Angel Carrillo, Elijah Fowlkes, Ethan Gates, Chris Gillam, Colby Horn, Devon Isaac, Jayden Lewin, Brayden McKenna, Nick Ostas, Quincy Salter, Josh Sekiyoba, Justyz Tuggle and Martell Williams were recognized for their contributions to the program.

This season saw ninety-three different student-athletes appear in games for Wayne State—including twenty transfers from other schools and thirty-six players making their collegiate debuts—with seventy-three newcomers joining a roster that totals one hundred twenty-six athletes from thirteen states plus Ontario province in Canada.

The coaching staff features seven new hires along with four full-time coaches promoted or added since last year’s campaign.

According to preseason polls within the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), Ferris State was picked to finish first followed by Grand Valley State; Wayne State was projected sixth out of eight teams while Roosevelt was picked seventh.

Wayne State continues to face challenging competition—after playing what was considered NCAA Division II’s toughest schedule last year followed by its third-toughest slate this past regular-season based on opponents’ winning percentages.

Of note within team demographics: three sets of brothers currently play together on Wayne State’s roster; several players have family members who played college or professional football.

The university launched Warrior Sports Network broadcasts this fall featuring veteran broadcaster Sean Baligian alongside former player Brady Beedon or Kevin Brechmacher providing color commentary depending on each contest; Tony Ortiz serves as sideline reporter for all home games.

All GLIAC football games involving Wayne State are available via Flo Sports streaming service; home games continue to be broadcast through The PreP platform.