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 Brian Rilley's first career TD catch at Ashland (Shawn Wright). |
Oct. 4, 2008
Ashland, Ohio - The Wayne State University football team (4-2 overall, 3-2 GLIAC) was unable to spoil Ashland's Homecoming game as the Eagles outscored the Warriors in every quarter en route to a 41-14 win. AU improves to 4-2 overall and 4-1 in the conference.
Both teams entered the contest on three-game winning streaks but it was WSU's inability to finish drives in the first half that created an insurmountable deficit.
Wayne State drove to the AU 28 on the opening drive of the game that started with a 27-yard kickoff return by senior Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly). Three Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) carries netted 17 yards before Warrior quarterback Kevin Smith (Detroit, Mich./Central) was intercepted inside the AU 10.
The next four drives ended in punts before Ashland went 45 yards in six plays with Dawon Harvey scoring on a one-yard run.
Following a Warrior punt, the Eagles marched 83 yards in seven plays with Billy Cundiff completing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Nick Bellanco on the fourth play of the second quarter.
WSU was inside the AU 25 when Smith was picked off for the second time in the game. But the Warrior defense responded after Ashland drove inside the WSU 20 as Jeremy Jones (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rockford) forced a fumble that was recovered by Jason Thomas (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary).
Following three punts in a row, Ashland drove 74 yards in 10 plays including a fourth-and-18 completion of 30 yards by Cundiff to Johnny Long. On the following play, Christian Livingston hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds left before halftime giving AU a 20-0 advantage.
Freshman Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) had a 20-yard kickoff return before senior Mickey Berce (Dearborn, Mich.) entered at quarterback. Berce completed a five-yard pass to Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) before connecting with Ed Sanders on a 48-yard pass play. It was Berce's longest completion of his career as well as Sanders' longest reception.
Following an Ashland timeout, Bell found Brian Rilley (Taylor, Mich./Allen Park Cabrini) alone in the end zone for Rilley's first career touchdown. The WSU touchdown came with just three seconds remaining before intermission.
After a failed fourth down play inside the AU 30 by the Warriors, Ashland dorve 73 yards in four plays with Long catching a 61-yard touchdown pass.
On AU's next drive, Cundiff was sacked by Jason Thomas with the fumble recovery by freshman Raleigh Ross (Detroit, Mich./Crockett) on the last play of the third quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Wayne State drove 60 yards in nine plays to make it 27-14 on a eight-yard touchdown run by Bell. Bell also had two receptions on the drive for 25 yards.
On the drive, Bell passed Joe Gough for fourth place on the GLIAC all-time rushing chart at 3,723 yards. Earlier in the game, Bell moved ahead of a pair of former Ashland runners in Keith Weaver and J.R. McCoy.
AU scored touchdowns on its next two drives to complete the scoring.
Ashland led in total offense (566-396) and passing yards (338-138), while Wayne State held a 258-228 advantage in rushing yards.
Bell had 142 yards to lead WSU, while Daryl Graham (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) and Neil Mitchell (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) rushed for 62 and 60 yards, respectively. AU's Harvey had a game-high 146 yards.
Cundiff was 23 of 30 for 338 yards and four touchdowns to lead AU. Smith was two-of-eight for 10 yards while Berce completed nine of 20 passes for 126 yards.
Long led all receivers with seven catches for 165 yards.
Wayne State returns to Motown for its annual Homecoming game next Saturday. Kickoff is slated for noon against Northern Michigan.
