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 Stan Thornton had one of WSU's two kickoff returns for a touchdown. |
Sept. 22, 2007
Detroit, Mich. - The Wayne State University football team (1-3 overall, 0-3 GLIAC) played in its second consecutive overtime contest for the first time in school history, and for the second time in eight days, the Warriors suffered a heartbreaking setback.
The Findlay Oilers (2-2 overall, 1-2 GLIAC) scored with 52 seconds left in regulation to knot the game at 28, and then on the first possession of overtime. WSU was unable to capitalize on its first possession of the extra stanza and fell 35-28 before 2,385 at Adams Field.
WSU sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) scored the only touchdown of the first quarter on a three-yard run just 3:10 into the contest. The 36-yard scoring drive was setup by a 29-yard fumble return by sophomore safety Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) followed a forced fumble by junior linebacker Tristan Black (Toronto, Ont./Vanier Prep).
On WSU's final drive of the first quarter, Bell gained 20 yards and moved into second place on the Wayne State all-time rushing charts surpassing Steve Lee (1988-91).
Early in the second period, UF tied the game at seven with a nine-play, 80-yard drive with Joel McDaniel scoring his first of two rushing touchdowns in the game. On Findlay's next possession, the guests went 51-yards in 10 plays with Cameron Stevens connecting on a 33-yard field goal attempt.
The Oilers led 10-7 at halftime and held a 288-139 advantage in total offense having a decided margin in time of possession (20:41-9:19).
Freshman Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) took the second half kickoff 78 yards for his first collegiate touchdown, and with David Chudzinski's (Belleville, Mich.) second extra point of the afternoon, Wayne State had a 14-10 lead.
The Warriors increased their lead to 21-10 midway through the third quarter as Bell tallied his eighth rushing touchdown of the season, this one on a first-and-goal from the four. It was Bell's 30th career rushing touchdown in just 15 games.
On the ensuing drive, Findlay was forced to punt but Thornton was hit just after catching the ball and the Oilers recovered at the WSU 19. The Warrior defense stood tall and UF's Stevens made a 35-yard field goal.
Findlay tied the game at 21 with 5:05 remaining on a nine-play, 60-yard drive with quarterback Jonathan Bell scoring on a one-yard keeper, then completing a two-point conversion pass to McDaniel.
The tie lasted 14 seconds as WSU junior Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) returned the kickoff 89 yards for his second career kickoff return for a touchdown. The 89-yard return is tied-for-fifth longest in school history.
The Oilers answered with a 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive with UF's Bell scoring the tying touchdown.
Findlay held a 534-271 advantage in total offense, a 99-56 lead in total plays and a 40:26-19:34 advantage in time of possession.
McDaniel led all rushers with 229 yards, while WSU's Bell had 115 yards.
Wayne State set school records for kickoff return yards in a game (258) and kickoff return average for a game (43.0).
The Warriors play three of their next four games away from Detroit starting with the Sept. 29 contest against top-ranked Grand Valley at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Mich. The following Saturday (Oct. 6), Wayne State hosts Gannon for the annual Homecoming contest.
