GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport football team picked up their first home win on Saturday in convincing fashion with a 41-7 triumph over Kentucky Wesleyan. The Panthers (2-2) had a complete effort on both sides of the ball as they gained 458 yards and allowed 144 yards including causing five turnovers. The Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (0-3) gained 44 of their yards on their first drive of the game but it ended as Brian Williams picked off a pass and returned it three yards to the DU 24.

Both teams traded punts for most of the first quarter and neither team had a first down for four straight possessions. Davenport took over at the KWC 16 with 53 seconds left in the quarter and after a six-yard loss, Hunter Krause tossed a 22-yard touchdown to a diving Nate Couturier in the corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead. Kentucky Wesleyan took over in great field position at the DU 49 with 11:44 left in the second and facing a third-and-one at the 29. Damarcus Smith was then intercepted by Jetari Tatum to thwart the drive.

Davenport took advantage of the turnover in three plays as Couturier caught a screen pass and raced 68 yards for his second touchdown and a 14-0 lead. The offense continued to click as KWC punted after six plays and DU started at their own 20 with 5:25 left in the second. Couturier continued his stellar half with a 68-yard catch and run on the first play down to the KWC 12. Four plays later on second-and-goal, Krause threw a fade in the end zone to tight end TC Wells from two yards for his second TD catch in as many weeks for a 21-0 advantage.

The scoring in the first half concluded with 17 seconds left as Cole Woodburn lined up for a 44-yard field goal. The kick was blocked by Tatum and T.J. Douglas scooped it up and rumbled 56 yards for a score and a 28-0 edge after 30 minutes. Davenport gained 152 yards in the second and entered the locker room in great shape.

The second half played into the hands of DU perfectly as they held the ball for 25:41 of 30 minutes and continued to keep KWC's offense off the field. The first drive of the second half went 13 plays and lasted 6:47 before Patrick Gregory kicked a 39-yard field goal for a 31-0 lead. After a three-and-out by KWC, Jacob Geter had a 43-yard run down to the KWC 21 and it was followed by a 21-yard run to paydirt by Rashaun O'Neal with 4:01 left in the third.

Devin Butler picked off Smith on the next possession for the third pick by DU's defense and the fourth quarter started with Kye Black forcing a fumble on a sack and Patrick McMahon recovering the ball at the KWC 18 for the fifth takeaway of the game. Gregory kicked another field goal from 31 yards with 12:25 left in the fourth for a 41-0 lead. The shutout was ruined with just 3:21 left in the contest as Gregory's field goal from 32 yards was blocked and returned 85 yards by Colton Billups.

Geter led the rushing attack with 92 yards on 10 carries for Davenport. Krause went 10-of-21 for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Couturier caught three balls for 158 yards and a pair of scores. Brent Showers led the defense with nine tackles including two for loss. Black finished with seven tackles including the sack and forced fumble.