VIDEO | Joe Reich Interview
VIDEO | Jesiah Carlton Interview

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open their four-game spring schedule this weekend, traveling to Barton for a 4 p.m. start. The 2019 season saw Wingate win 10 games for the first time in program history, while earning a third consecutive bid to the NCAA Division II play-offs. The Bulldogs went 10-2 overall in 2019, with a 7-1 record in SAC play.

The Bulldogs have piled up 28 victories over the last three years and 37 wins over the last four years, the best stretch in program history. Wingate leads the SAC in total wins and conference wins since the start of the 2016 season, with the 'Dogs finishing first or second in the league standings each of the past four years. Wingate hosted a play-off game for the third time in program history, falling to eventual national champion West Florida. The Bulldogs have won 17 of their last 18 regular season games. The 2019 season saw Wingate score 403 points, the third highest total in school history, with the 33.6 points per game ranking second.

This will be a new experience for head coach Joe Reich as the 'Dogs begin a four-game spring slate after not playing a game since Nov. 23, 2019. Reich sees this spring season as a great opportunity for so many players. "We see this season as a preparation for the fall season," Reich says. "But what that means is we approach every game the way we normally would. We only prepare a certain way, we think we have a good process for that, so we want to stick to that. We want to have the same mentality this spring of everything that goes into a regular game week, in preparation for the fall season."

It will not be a full roster for the Bulldogs, who will be missing a few key players this spring, but Wingate will have several key young players get big-time game opportunities over the next month. "We have some guys that opted out, some guys not in school right now, and a couple guys we're keeping out because of injury," Reich says. "We see this as a great opportunity to get a lot of good young players some game reps without costing them a year of eligibility. In football, as in any other sport, you have to play with a mental edge, a mental intensity, and you have keep that edge to be successful. You have to be mentally prepared and focused for every game and be totally locked in to every moment. So many times you see teams lose their edge and give up big leads, but when teams have a good mental edge, it's such a good advantage."

ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR 2021 SPRING FOOTBALL

In accordance with North Carolina orders, there will be a limited number of fans allowed to attend home games during the 2021 spring season. Those permitted will be broken up into groups – football parents, Wingate students, cheerleading students, Bulldog Club members, football staff family members and football players not dressing on game day. President's Box guests will also be invited. Fans of visiting teams will not be allowed to attend Wingate home games. All those that attend must be on a pass list, with coaches handling the pass list for parents and staff family members. For students that want to sign up, emails will be sent out the week of games. Bulldog Club members will be contacted by Bill Nash the week of the games. 

All those that attend Irwin Belk Stadium this spring will be required to wear face coverings the entire time, while also practicing safe social distancing. Parking lots will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff this season, with gates opening 60 minutes before kickoff. There will not be any tailgating permitted this spring. There will be concessions available for both home games this spring. For ticket pick-up on game day, football parents, cheer parents, Bulldog Club members and staff family members can pick up their tickets at gate one. Students can pick up their tickets at the student gate, gate four.

OFFENSE

One of the biggest keys on offense this spring will be developing the wide receiver unit. The 'Dogs are without their top three receivers from the 2019 season, a trio that combined for 106 catches and over 1600 yards. The key returners at receiver include Trevor Grant, who had nine catches for 133 yards as a freshman, and Kamal Desor, who collected six receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, averaging 24.3 yards per catch. Redshirt junior Kendall Lewis will play a big role for the Bulldogs at the receiver spot, looking to make an immediate impact in his first season on the field for Wingate.

"We need to develop depth and experience at the receiver spot," Reich says. "We're very talented there, but we need to get some game reps. You'll see us play a number of guys there. They need reps together, reps with Shaw, good quality game reps to get ready for the fall. That's our number one thing we need."

With so much young, new talent at the receiver positions, 2019 All-SAC quarterback Shaw Crocker will see plenty of time under center this spring, looking to get comfortable with the new batch of receivers. "Shaw needs to continue to improve, and he'll be the first to tell you that," Reich says. "This is a great chance for him to get better and refine his talents. We also want to get Jacob Satterfield and Noah Bell some reps. Shaw is a competitor, he wants to play every down, but we need to get the other guys reps as well. We also have Dylan Elkins looking to get some game experience in the spring. We're excited about Jake and Noah and hope to get them chances, it just depends on the flow of game. We really want to continue to get Shaw ready for the fall."

The Bulldogs have another are of young, talented depth at the running back spot. Wingate lost first team All-SAC running back Domineke McNeill to graduation, while fellow first team all-conference honoree Nijere Peoples will not be playing in the spring. That leaves the door open for Kalen Clark, along with Alex Wilson, Kevin Henderson and Josh Collura. Clark is unlikely to play in the opener, meaning the young trio will all be looking for their first game action as a Bulldog.

"Alex, Kevin and Josh will be taking the reps in the first game," Reich says. "We're excited to see what they do with their chances. I think Alex is going to be really good for us. Kevin moved from wideout and has done a great job with that. Josh has been out for a little while, but we expect him to be ready to contribute come game time. This is exciting, there's a lot of talent in this group, just no game reps for any of them."

The offensive line is an area of experienced depth for the Bulldogs. The unit is mostly intact from 2019, when the 'Dogs ranked among the league's best in rushing and passing. AFCA second team All-American Andrew Strickland anchors the unit, alongside a veteran crew including Xi Simpson, Xavier Kelly, Hunter Jolly, Evan Surgeon and July Carson, along with Randy Floars, Emmanuel Bido and Will Viggers.

"This offensive line unit is a strong, veteran group that has been really good for us," Reich says. "It will be nice to have them together for some games this spring, get some solid reps and work together. You can always get better, but again, we would also like to develop some depth, get some guys that will be ready to fill in when needed. It will be nice to get some game experience for younger guys this spring, so in the fall they'll be ready when they're called on."

Ryder Martin is the starter at tight end, with Matt Amos also looking to play a key role at the position. Martin had four catches for 67 yards with two touchdowns in the 2019 season.

"Ryder is a new starter for us," Reich says. "He is very talented and could be really good, so we are looking forward to getting him plenty of good game reps this spring. We're excited to get Ryder and Matt working hard together in the spring, develop some solid chemistry heading into the fall."

DEFENSE

On the defensive side, the primary goal of the spring will be developing depth in the secondary. Wingate lost some key defensive players from last season, while there are also some players who will not be available this spring. "We have a few starters not playing in the spring, which gives us the ability to see what we have back there," Reich says. "We've got some really talented young guys and this will be a great experience for them. You're going to see a plenty of young guys in the secondary."

The linebacker position will also have some new faces after losing some huge contributors in Robbie Wallace, Elijah Gilmore and Gabe Price, who combined for over 200 tackles in 2019. The 'Dogs have some young talent at the position in Jaquan Edwards and Kendrick Hicks. Edwards had 23 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss last year, with Hicks adding 17 tackles and 0.5 sacks to go along with a pass break-up.

"This is a whole new regime at linebacker," Reich says. "We had the three guys for last three years that were such a dominant group. Between Jaquan and Kendrick, we still feel confident at the position. Jaquan has been our best player in the fall and spring so far, but is a little hurt, so we'll see what he does for us in the spring. Between those two, they're really talented and will be very good for us, but we need to get them plenty of game reps together, and also develop some solid depth behind them."

The defensive line has some solid returners including Jesiah Carlton, Jordon Anderson and DJ Horne. Carlton piled up 59 tackles including a team-best 12 tackles for loss last year, adding 4.5 sacks and a team-best 22 QB hurries. Anderson had 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks, while Horne collected 36 tackles and seven sacks.

"On the defensive line, three of our four starters are known quantities, just looking to get them even stronger as a unit this spring," Reich says. "We've got some young talent behind that that will see some playing time this spring, including Sirod Cook, who could be a really good player for us. Excited to get some of the young guys in there on the defensive line and get them rolling."

SPECIAL TEAMS

The biggest need for the special teams unit is to find return specialists. The Bulldogs are very solid at kicker and punter heading into the spring. McLean Robertson was an All-SAC and All-Region selection as a place kicker, connecting on 16-of-21 field goals while hitting seven-of-eight between 40 and 49 yards. Ethan Evans played a big role as a freshman punter, averaging 40.3 yards per punt while 23 of his 56 punts ended inside the 20. He had nine punts of at least 50 yards, while also piling up 33 touchbacks as the primary kickoff specialist.

"We need to find returners," Reich says. "That's a big priority, so we'll get some young guys out there, and get them plenty of reps. Our kicker and punter situation is really good. We're solid at long snapper, working in a new holder this spring, so this will be all about refinement in the kicking game."

SCHEDULE

The Bulldogs open the four-game spring slate Saturday at Barton. Wingate is at home Saturday, March 27, hosting Catawba at 6 p.m. Wingate is home the following Friday, welcoming Lenoir-Rhyne to Irwin Belk Stadium at 6 p.m. The 'Dogs wrap up the regular season April 10 at Newberry at 6 p.m. The SAC championship game is scheduled for April 17.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 13 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 113 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 122 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.