This is a big week for the Wayne State Wildcat football players, coaches and fans.

After a full summer and camp of competing against one another, the ‘Cats finally get to put their hard work into action.

It’s game week. The opponent: the Bemidji State Beavers at 1 p.m. on Saturday at WSC’s Cunningham Field.

While the Wildcats were clearly better than a 2-9 team last season, Bemidji went 3-8. The only difference, Wayne was a young team and returns virtually all of its impact players. Bemidji, on the other hand, lost six starters on offense and five defensive starters.

This Wayne State football team may have been inexperienced last year, but this is certainly not the case anymore.

“We’re solid on both sides of the football this year,” senior tight end Joe Trouba said. “Our defense is clicking on all cylinders and the offense has drastically improved since last season, as we get better every day. We’re ready for Bemidji.”

Before last year, the ‘Cats home field was always grass, which was beautiful and tended to properly. However, the Wildcats took it to the next level last year, ripping up the soft grass and installing brand new turf.

The project cost about $1.4 million. The players and coaches both loved the new turf last season, especially because they no longer had to practice on the practice fields in fear of wearing down the game field.

The catch was that the Wildcats didn’t win a single home game last season, falling 0-6 on their brand new turf.

“There is no way we will ever let that happen again,” offensive captain and senior receiver Cody Calhoun said.

“We love that field, and nothing like last season will ever happen again. I don’t want to lose one game at home this season.”

Moral of the story–the Wildcats are hungry.

The player to watch for this Saturday is senior receiver Cole McDaniel has made incredible strides in the offseason, becoming a threat in multiple ways on the field. From his route running, catching, overall speed, his height at 6’6,” and overall knowledge of the offense, McDaniel (number 19) has evolved into a dominant receiver. Look for him all over the field on Saturday.