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Wingate, N.C.----Coming off the most successful season in program history, the Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2023 season at home this Thursday, hosting Albany State at 6 p.m. at Irwin Belk Stadium. Wingate went 11-3 in the 2022 season, with a 7-2 record in league play. The Bulldogs won a pair of games in the NCAA Play-offs, advancing to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The 'Dogs set a program record for wins in a season, while capturing a share of the SAC Piedmont division crown. Wingate was ranked 15th in the final AFCA top 25 poll, while entering the 2023 season ranked 21st in the preseason. The 'Dogs have been picked to finish second in the preseason SAC poll.

"The focus on preseason has been establishing depth on both sides of the ball, offensively in particular," head coach Joe Reich says. "We lost a number of receivers, so we're trying to find our playmakers on offense. We feel like we're heading in the right direction, but it is still a work in progress. We have a lot of upside there. Defensively, it's kind of the same thing, we lost three starting defensive linemen, so we're looking to see who will step up. We have some good players who have seen plenty of game action, it's just developing depth on the line. The defense had a great year last year, now it's just going back to basics, reads, tackling, fundamental stuff, not trying to overdo it, just good, solid football. On the special teams, replacing Ethan Evans is obviously tough. We've got some options there, and we are also working with the return game, looking to become more explosive in that aspect."  

The 'Dogs got it done with defense last year, leading the nation in tackles for loss while ranking second in total defense and third in sacks and scoring defense. Wingate was second in the nation in third down defense and red zone defense. The Bulldogs also finished second in the nation in net punting.

"Expectations are high for us," Reich says. "The first day you come in and talk about winning, but once we get settled and get to work, it becomes about dominating the moment. Everyone comes in the beginning fired up to win everything, when you get to work the day-to-day grind of it all, it slowly becomes just winning the moment, winning the day. There's so much work involved, we're just looking to get better every day and being ready for Albany State."

The Bulldogs will have plenty of experienced, reliable leaders to lean on this year, naming two defensive and two offensive captains. Jaquan Edwards and Tre Morrison are the defensive captains, with Trevor Grant and Noah Bell serving as the offensive captains. "Our defensive captains, both are great young men and great leaders," Reich says. "Jaquan has been a team leader for many years, it comes natural to him. Tre is a little quieter but he gets the job done, leading by example. Offensively, Trevor and Noah are two more really solid, great individuals that will lead by example. They also have the vocal abilities to rally the troops when they need it and the work ethic to back it up."

DEFENSIVE LINE

The defensive line will be led by All-SAC and All-Region honoree Marquise Fleming, who piled up 70 tackles including a team-best 22.5 tackles for loss, while also leading the 'Dogs with 13 sacks and 14 QB hurries. He forced three fumbles and added a pair of pass break-ups. He ranked in the top 20 in the nation in sacks and tackles for loss last season. Daniel Morrison will also be a key figure on the line, collecting 26 tackles including seven TFLs and three sacks last season. The Bulldogs have several other options and will rely on some depth at the position, with Jonathen Cross, Darius Randolph and graduate transfer Bryan Bordeaux.

"Marquise Fleming is the big returner," Reich says. "He accomplished so much last year, he's so athletic and is just a relentless player. He's certainly the standout on the line. Daniel Morrison is also a force on the line for us, those two are the most veteran players we have and we expect both of them to be very good. The other spots will be by committee as we start the year and we'll look to see who steps up at what position."

LINEBACKER

The Linebacker position will once again be anchored by the All-SAC and All-Region team captain Jaquan Edwards. He piled up 87 tackles last year, with 10 tackles for loss to go along with three QB hurries and a pass break-up. He also had a pick-six in the opening-round play-off win at Virginia Union. Dontorian Best also has plenty of experience at the linebacker spot for the 'Dogs, registering 32 tackles with five TFLs and three sacks last season, adding an interception and a pass break-up. Roe Chitwood notched 13 tackles in 11 games for the Bulldogs last year.

"We return two veterans in Jaquan and Dontorian," Reich says. "They've played a lot of football for us, and we're really excited to have those guys for another year. When we go to three linebackers, Roe Chitwood will be in there. Those are our main three, then we've got some options behind them, again just excited to see who will step up for us."  

SECONDARY

The secondary is led by All-American Tre Morrison, the nation's leader with 26 passes defended last year. He had 21 break-ups and five interceptions, adding 37 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss, adding a fumble recovery on the year. Jaheim Mullen is a preseason All-SAC honoree at the safety position, after collecting 50 tackles, four pass break-ups and a pair of interceptions in 2022. Dequan Mosley was an all-conference honoree last year, notching 40 tackles, four break-ups and three interceptions. Mark Burks added 16 tackles and a breakup on the year, while also blocking a pair of kicks.

"This is a veteran secondary, led by Tre Morrison and Jaheim Mullen," Reich says. "Dequan Mosley will also be a key for us at safety, with Mark Burks also seeing a lot of action. Then we've got Adonis Henderson and Omari Cornwall stepping into the other corner position. Orinthius Byrd will see a lot of time at the nickel spot, with Khalil Saunders also stepping into that position."

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line was a big part of the WU success in 2022, helping the Bulldogs run one of the most balanced offenses in the conference. Roderick Ross is the key returning starter, along with Erwil Anthony. The other starters across the line include Porfirio Acosta at the center position, along with Will Hart and Isaiah Dunn.

"The offensive line has had a really good camp as a group," Reich says. "It's great to have Roderick Ross for another year, we're excited to see what he'll do for us. Erwil Anthony is another returning starter we will rely on. To go along with Porfirio, Will and Isaiah, we've got Liam Towey and Blake Martin that will be key parts of the line, two more guys we know we can depend on."

TIGHT END

Austin Cain will lead the way at the tight end position. He had five receptions for 73 yards last season, adding 14.6 yard per catch. He hauled in a 46-yard touchdown reception in the Catawba win. Matt Flanders will also see time at the tight end spot, with Trevor Hausmann stepping into fullback role.

"We're excited to see both Austin and Matt at the tight end position," Reich says. "Both can impact the game in different ways. Trevor is a solid fullback that we expect to do a good job for us." 

WIDE RECEIVERS

The receiving group will be led by Academic All-America honoree and SAC Scholar-Athlete Trevor Grant. He had 23 catches for 370 yards and five touchdowns last season. That was highlighted with six catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns in the UVA Wise victory. Kyron Thomas and Tremel Jones will step into key roles this year. Jones had 12 receptions for 134 yards and a pair of TDs last season, adding a rushing touchdown. Thomas added four grabs for 29 yards. Trevor Bryan pulled in 11 catches for 87 yards and a score, with Damian Sutton and Carlos Estronza also registering receptions for the 'Dogs last year.

We are really excited about our group of receivers this year," Reich says. "They've really brought into our system and it should be a lot of fun to watch them. We've got some guys that can make some big plays for us."

QUARTERBACK

Wingate will be replacing Shaw Crocker, who has been the starting quarterback since the 2018 season. The 'Dogs have a few options, led by Noah Bell, who appeared in five games last season, throwing for six yards while also running for 78 yards.

"We are excited to see who separates themselves at quarterback this season," Reich says. "We've got three guys fighting for the spot. Noah Bell, Evan Bernard and Brooks Bentley have all been getting reps throughout the preseason. That battle will continue as long as it needs to."

RUNNING BACK

Leading the way at the running back position will be Alexander Wilson, who earned All-SAC honors in 2022, going for 709 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry while adding 11 receptions for 92 yards. Corey Siemer had 112 yards in 18 carries, going for 6.2 yards per carry. O'Brien Barnett had 47 carries for 186 yards and a TD in 2022. Matt Pack added 30 carries for 130 yards and touchdown, which was the overtime game winner at Limestone.

"We are really deep at the running back position," Reich says. "Alex is the starter, with Corey also seeing significant time. O'Brien and Matt also saw plenty of action last year and we'll count on them again this season. We've got a couple of newcomers in Ethan Wallace and Xavier Pugh that will also be fighting for playing time."

 SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bulldogs will be looking at a new kicker and punter this season, after All-American Ethan Evans was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Mason Suber and Rivers Teeter are battling for the punting job, while Caleb Bonesteel will be the kicker. Suber and Lawson Thorne will handle the kickoff duties. The 'Dogs do have experienced returners, led by J Max Swaim, who had 11 punt returns for 65 yards last season. Tremel Jones and Kyron Thomas both handled kickoff return duties last season, led by Thomas's 393 yards on 18 returns. Jones added 64 yards on three returns.

"Obviously it's going to be tough having to replace an NFL-caliber punter in Ethan Evans," Reich says. "The punting job is between Mason Suber and Rivers Teeter, they will both see action for us this year. Caleb Bonesteel has done a nice job kicking this fall, feeling comfortable having him in that position. Lawson Thorne will be our main kickoff guy, with Mason also seeing some time there. We have some exciting options in our return game. J Max has been really solid for us the last couple years, we feel good with him at the punt return spot. Kyron and Tremel give us good speed at the kick return spot, with Daniel Dawson also getting an opportunity to help add some more explosion to the return game. We've been trying several combinations and we're looking forward to seeing haw it plays out in the first few games."

SCHEDULE

The 'Dogs open the season with back-to-back Thursday night games, traveling to Mars Hill Sept. 7 for a non-conference contest. Wingate will open SAC play Sept. 16, hosting Tusculum at 6 p.m. on Patriots' Day. The Bulldogs will host Limestone Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. on Homecoming, while closing the season with a pair of key contests. The final home game will be at 6 p.m. against Lenoir-Rhyne on Oct. 28, while the regular season finale is Nov. 4 at Newberry. The Wolves are the preseason SAC favorites, with Wingate in second and LR in third. The SAC championship game is slated for Nov. 11, with the Mountain Division winner hosting this year's contest.