VIDEO | Joe Reich Interview
VIDEO | Jaquan Edwards Interview

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs get the 2022 football season underway this weekend, traveling to Shaw Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. kickoff. Wingate opens the year with three consecutive road games before the Sept. 24 home opener. The 'Dogs are coming off an 8-3 season in 2021, going 6-2 in league play. Wingate has strung together five straight seasons of at least eight wins, earning a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs three of the last four seasons.

"It's been a good preseason," head coach Joe Reich says. "It's been an interesting camp, very physical, had some guys get a little banged up early. When they put the pads on, they get after one another, so we're looking forward to seeing how that translates when we are going against someone else. You're never sure exactly what kind of team you have until you take on someone else. Shaw is a good quality team, and it should be a good test, so we are excited to see what we have. We've got a lot of returners, but also a good mix of new guys and we need to figure out early who can come in and help us out. This week should be a good indicator of where we are at."

The last five seasons have seen the most successful run in program history. Wingate had earned one bid to the D2 playoffs prior to 2016, but then made three consecutive appearances from 2017 through 2019. The 'Dogs captured their second SAC title in program history in 2017 and earned a home game in the playoffs. The next season Wingate was back in the playoffs and took down #10 West Georgia on the road in the opener. The 'Dogs posted their first-ever 10-win season in 2019, finishing the year 10-2 overall and 7-1 in league play to earn another playoff bid. Wingate is 44-14 overall in the last five full seasons, going 29-8 in the SAC.

"Our goals are the same every year, keep progressing to the next level, let's go 1-0 this week, let's win our first SAC game, then try to win the conference, make the playoffs, win a playoff game, and then keep going, super region, nationals," Reich says. "Everyone puts that stuff on a wall, but what I can't stress enough is, what are you doing today to dominate the day. We do goals but we try to focus on dominating the moment, let's get this done, let's get better. If we can do that, we can be successful Saturday. With all the young guys, it's a great opportunity to learn and be successful."

The 2022 slate sees the Bulldogs on the road for their first three games and four of the first five. Wingate was picked third in the preseason SAC poll, with 10 players earning preseason all-conference accolades. "We've got two good, quality teams to play early before getting into league play," Reich says. "It will be good to get those challenges. I don't care where we play. The three games on the road will give us a good bump when we come back home for the fourth game. It will give us some juice when we finally get to play in front of our fans in our stadium. The new division setup in the conference is exciting too. We've got a challenging division, and I'm glad about that. There's a championship game at the end of the season and we have a chance to play in it, and to host it. It will be interesting to see how the year plays out."

DEFENSE

Wingate ranked fourth in the SAC in scoring defense and fifth in total defense last season, allowing 22.1 points per game and 345.3 yards per contest. The 'Dogs finished fourth in rushing defense, allowing 124 yards per game. The defense is led by preseason first team All-SAC honorees Sirod Cook and Jaquan Edwards, along with second team selections DJ Horne and Dequan Mosley.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The 'Dogs are loaded with depth and experience on the defensive line, led by the All-SAC honoree Cook, one of the four team captains. Cook piled up 41 tackles and a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss last season, while also leading the 'Dogs with six sacks and eight QB hurries.

"I think our defensive line sets the tone for the rest of the team," Reich says. "I have said it all preseason. They work at a high level, compete at a high level every day of practice. They don't want to back off, they really get after it, there's just no back off. It's as deep and talented of a group as we've had in a while. Overall the line is athletic, relentless, they move great and it's just a great group as a whole. Sirod is the veteran of the group, the captain, smart, strong, athletic, he's not the biggest guy in the world, but he's just tough to block. He's got natural leverage, gives people so many problems, brings juice to practice and to games, he's an energizer."

The Bulldogs have plenty more talent in the line, including the preseason all-conference honoree in DJ Horne, who notched seven tackles for loss and three sacks last season, ranking second on the squad with seven QB hurries. Justin Rhodes collected 4.5 TFLs and a sack with Daniel Morrison adding three TFLs and a sack.

"Justin Rhodes is as physically gifted as a guy on the d-line as I've seen here," Reich says. "He's just the total package, so strong and explosive. DJ has been great for us, he does everything we ask of him, he plays the run and pass well and is another great leader with great energy in practice. Daniel is another really strong, physical guy that moves well, he's an anchor on the line, he'll just continue to get better and better.

Wingate has several more options that will contribute on the line throughout the year, including Darius Randolph, Marquise Fleming, Antoine Shaw, Jayden Pauling and Kai Russell.

"Darius Randolph has come a long way," Reich says. "He didn't play a lot last year, but has had a great camp and is another strong powerful guy that just needs a little more experience. Marquise Fleming is athletic and even if he looks a little undersized, he is very physical and has great pursuit in the run game and pass game. Antoine Shaw and Jayden Pauling are couple transfers that will see some time for us, with Antoine in his second year here. Kai Russell is a good swing guy that can play outside and inside. We just have so many guys in the group that can contribute. We like to rotate the line through to keep them healthy, and this group is setup so well for that."

LINEBACKERS

The linebacker group is led by Edwards, another All-SAC honoree and team captain. He led the 'Dogs with 70 tackles last season, notching 8.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, an interception, six pass break-ups and five QB hurries.

"Jaquan Edwards is as good as we've had," Reich says. "He's the absolute total package, great human, physical athlete, veteran leadership and a highly intellectual person with great football IQ. Jaquan and Sirod are unquestioned leaders of the defense."

Wingate has several veterans in the linebacker group, including Davon Gilmore, who registered 20 tackles with three sacks and a pass break-up last year. Dontorian Best notched 14 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a break-up last season, while Montgomery Chitwood added 12 tackles on the season. Cole Shehan saw plenty of time at linebacker last season, with Luke Holtzendorf also looking to make an impact this year.

"Davon Gilmore is a great player, a guy that is savvy, with great football IQ," Reich says. "He's a tall, athletic guy that moves so well and is hard to hit and hard to block. Dontorian Best is a great swing guy, he can play inside the box and outside the box, another smart guy with good athleticism. Cole Shehan, Montgomery Chitwood and Luke Holtzendorf will all see time and can make contributions for us."

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The safety position will be anchored by veterans Dequan Mosley and Jaheim Mullen. Mosley ranked second on the team with eight pass break-ups last year, adding an interception to go along with a sack and 24 tackles, earning preseason All-SAC honors. Mullen registered 12 tackles on the season. Mark Burks added 21 tackles and a break-up last season, while Orinthius Byrd joins the team as a transfer from Bethune-Cookman.

"Dequan Mosley and Jaheim Mullen are as athletic of a combo as we have had in a long time," Reich says. "They are a really solid duo. Add Mark Burks and Orinthius Byrd to the list, those are two great athletes. Mark started a lot last year and will play plenty this year. Orinthius is a Bethune-Cookman transfer, just looking to get comfortable in the position."

In the rover spot will once again be Justin Armwood, who piled up 26 tackles, five TFLS, a sack, two interceptions and four break-ups last year, highlighted by his 94-yard pick-six on the final play of the Tusculum game to secure the homecoming victory.

"Justin Armwood has a ton of experience," Reich says. "He has improved as much as anyone we've had here. He's very football smart and just a great guy."

The cornerback position will be anchored by Tre Morrison and Jordan Thomas, along with Austin Richardson, with Derrick Witherspoon also contributing. Morrison led the Bulldogs with 12 pass break-ups last year, adding an interception and 34 tackles, with three tackles for loss. Richardson notched 16 tackles and an interception last year.

"Tre Morrison has started a lot of games over the years," Reich says. "He is a veteran who has had a great preseason and we are excited for his progression. Jordan Thomas is a younger guy that can run, has great speed and can cover ground. Austin Richardson is another veteran that has seen a lot of time that will be good for us, that group as a whole has been good. Derrick Witherspoon will also see some time. All four will make an impact at the position. ""

OFFENSE

Wingate finished fourth in the SAC in scoring offense and total offense last season, averaging 30.8 points per game and 380.9 yards per contest. The 'Dogs ranked third in the league in rushing yards per game (162.1) and fifth in passing yards (218.8). Four Bulldogs are preseason All-SAC honorees on the offensive side, with Kalen Clark, Kamal Desor, Hunter Jolly and Ryder Martin all earning second team accolades.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line is led by the preseason All-SAC center Jolly, along with veteran starter Evan Surgeon. The duo will be joined by a solid group, mixed with veterans and newcomers.  

"The two guys we are really excited about are Hunter Jolly and Evan Surgeon," Reich says. "They have great experience and great veteran leadership. I think those two we expect to be All-SAC guys and do a great job. Roderick Ross is a UVA Wise transfer that has given us good reps on the offensive line and we're excited about him, he's been great in the preseason. Then we've got a good solid group of guys that will make contributions throughout the line in Blake Martin, Jabari Avery, Liam Towey, Erwil Anthony, Jacob Mullis, Porfirio Acosta and Will Hart. All those guys will play in some type of combination for us."

TIGHT END/FULLBACK

Wingate has a solid duo at the tight end spot, led by the All-SAC honoree Martin. The graduate student had 23 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns last year. Mason Flynt is back after missing the 2021 season. He had six receptions for 91 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 2019 season. Sam Hayes and Austin Cain lead the way at the fullback position.

"This is as good of a group as we've had," Reich says. "Ryder Martin was an All-SAC selection last year. He's had a really good, physical camp. Coach Folkerts is an o-line guy that's been brining physicality to that spot. We expect a big year out of Ryder. Having Mason Flynt back has helped us a lot; those two guys just have so much experience. Mason was out for a year, but it's been almost two years since he's played and he hasn't missed a beat, he's been playing great."

"At the fullback spot, Sam Hayes is a veteran guy who's given us so much and will give us a ton of reps," Reich says. "Austin Cain is a super talented, versatile player. He's talented with great speed and one of our strongest guys. This is a good, solid physical group that we're really excited about."

WIDE RECEIVER

The wide receiver position is another group with solid depth, led by the preseason All-SAC honoree Desor, who hauled in 26 catches for 355 yards and five touchdowns last year. Ra'Quan Simmons had 26 catches for 313 yards and a touchdown, with Myles Dillon adding 17 receptions for 184 yards and a TD. Trevor Grant hauled in 21 catches for 221 yards and a team-best six touchdowns, including a three-TD effort in the Mars Hill game. Damian Sutton added five grabs for 33 yards on the year, while Trevor Bryan had three receptions for 25 yards.

"This is a group that has potential to be really good," Reich says. "They have made a lot of strides this preseason to maximize their abilities. Kamal Desor has really evolved, he's worked hard with our new receiver coach Shaedon Meadors and they've been working hard on route running. Kamal has taken a step forward into being the guy we need him to be. Ra'Quan Simmons is the veteran of the group, he's got a lot of years under his belt, expect great leadership out of him. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands, we can use him as a returner. He's just a guy we want to find ways to get the ball in his hands so he can make plays, he's a very dynamic player."

"Myles Dillon is a guy we use in a number of spots and he has been great for us," Reich says. "He's so explosive, runs great routes, and is a great change of direction guy. Trevor Bryan has had a great preseason, has really come on and been great for us and will definitely compete for a spot. Trevor Grant is coming off some injuries, but we are ready for good things out of him when he can be healthy. Kyron Thomas, Tremel Jones, J Max Swaim, Damian Sutton, Jacob Polight are all guys we want to get mixed in there. We hope to get them some reps, we are excited to see what they have and what they can add to the position."

QUARTERBACK

Shaw Crocker will once again be the starter at QB for the Bulldogs. He turned in another solid season in 2021, completing 172 of 297 passes with 19 touchdowns, averaging 213 yards per game while completing 58 percent of his passes. He is also one of the four team captains in 2022.

"Shaw has been here for a while, he's a great veteran leader and just so consistent," Reich says. "The great thing about Shaw is, he has not been content to say I've been the starter all these years, he keeps looking for ways to get better. He has looked to improve and is never content. He spends time with Coach Long and myself all the time, looking for ways to improve. He wants to be a coach, he's into all of that stuff, we respect his opinion. When he has ideas, he's a guy we listen to."

The backup spot this season will be Noah Bell, the redshirt freshman from Saluda, S.C. with redshirt junior Dylan Elkins in the number three spot. "This is a big year for Noah, we need to get him some time under center in some of these early games so he can gain experience for the future," Reich says. "He also needs to be ready to go if that future is now for him. Dylan as our third, is a great third guy. He's very focused with great work ethic."

RUNNING BACK

The running back position will be led by the preseason all-conference honoree Clark, who rushed for 347 yards and three touchdowns last year, averaging 57.8 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry. He also had three catches for 19 yards. Alex Wilson will also see plenty of time at running back, after collecting 211 yards in 58 attempts last year, scoring a touchdown. O'Brien Barnett, Matt Pack, Corey Siemer, Jalen Kelley and Ryan Chavous will all add plenty of depth to the position.

"Kalen Clark is the returner, he's got the most reps from the last couple years and is a team captain," Reich says. "He is very solid and steady, does everything well and there's not many holes in his game. We're just ready to see some big explosive runs out of him. He loves to be physical, we're just looking to get him out in the open field, more, look for more yards after contact. We're excited to see where he's going to go after an impressive preseason. Alex Wilson had a great preseason and just continues to get better. He's a very physically talented runner and has worked hard at it. Now that he's more in the mix, we're excited to see him take that ability and put it out on the field. He's got all the tools to do it. O'Brien Barnett might be the most natural runner of the group. He sees things well, cuts well and just does all the natural stuff very well. Matt Pack has had a great preseason, he has great potential. He's a little smaller, but has really good change of direction and when he hits you, he's moving the pile. Corey Siemer could see some time for us, along with Jalen Kelley Ryan Chavous."

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicking game will feature All-SAC punter Ethan Evans taking an even larger role. After handling all of the punting and kickoffs in 2021, Evans will also handle the field goals this year. One of the nation's top punters last year, Evans had Wingate in the top 10 in net punting nationally, averaging 42.5 yards per punt with 11 going over 50 yards. He had 24 of his 42 punts end up inside the 20, with a long of 72. He also had 38 of his 64 kickoffs go for touchbacks.

"Ethan Evans is coming off a great year punting," Reich says. "He'll be our kicker, punter and handle field goals. To the average person that seems easy, but it's not. You just rarely see it these days. He has the ability to do it, it's just more about him being consistent. He's done a great job for us, and we expect a big year from him. Everett McLaughlin is our long snapper, he is a fantastic snapper, he's very accurate and is athletic, can do some good stuff in the cover game. Alex Stadler is once again our holder. He's got good experience there and has been really steady for us in his time here."

The return game features a group of explosive players in Kyron Thomas and Ra'Quan Simmons along with J Max Swaim and Tremel Jones. Thomas is a preseason All-SAC returner after ranking second in the SAC with 520 kick return yards, going for 27.4 yards per return. Swaim led the 'Dogs with 131 punt return yards, averaging 10.1 yards per return, while Simmons went for 40 yards on four punt returns. Swaim also had 78 yards in his four kickoff returns.

"Kyron is a preseason All-SAC returner," Reich says. "He's really good, very explosive. Ra'Quan has been great for us, He and J Max are handling punt returns, with Kyron on kick returns. Tremel Jones is a guy we are looking to get into kick returns as well. Kyron, J Max, Ra'Quan and Tremel, those four guys are great. Kyron and Tremel both have great speed, are the fastest of the group. Ra'Quan also has good speed and such great change of direction. J Max is so savvy and hard to bring down. I'm hoping to see our return game make some big plays for us this year."

After a three-game road trip to start the year, Wingate comes home to host Emory & Henry Sept. 24 on Family Weekend at 6 p.m. That is followed by a trip to Erskine before hosting Catawba Oct. 8. The Bulldogs are at home on Oct. 22, celebrating Homecoming weekend while hosting Barton. The 'Dogs welcome defending SAC champion Newberry to Irwin Belk Stadium on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. Wingate will host one more game on Nov. 12, which will either be the SAC title game, or a home game against UVA Wise.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University 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 is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 14 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.