Nov. 1, 2008

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Midland, Mich. - The Wayne State University football team (8-2 overall, 7-2 GLIAC) tied the school mark for wins in a season with a 42-21 triumph at Northwood University (2-7 overall, 2-7 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon.

The only two squads in school history to record eight wins were the 1975 and 1976 teams of Dick Lowry. The seven conference victories is the most for any WSU team.

Junior running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) became the all-time GLIAC scoring leader with his second of three touchdown runs in the contest.

The first score was set up by a career-best 62-yard punt return by freshman Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) following a three-and-out by the Timberwolves on the game's first possession. Freshman quarterback Kevin Smith (Detroit, Mich./Central) hit junior wide receiver Aaron Higginbottom (Flint, Mich./Beecher) in the end zone for an 11-yard scoring toss on a third-and-eight.

Northwood had a 66-yard carry by Torris Childs for a first-and-goal at the WSU two on the first play following the kickoff. NU quarterback Steve McCollom had two carries for minus three yards then completed a screen pass for minus five yards. Pat Sijan's 27-yard field goal attempt was wide right.

WSU turned the ball over on its next two possessions with the Timberwolves capitalizing for the tying touchdown on the second miscue.

It took the Warriors four plays after the kickoff to regain the lead as Bell completed a 43-yard pass to sophomore Travis Campbell (Gahanna, Ohio/Westerville North) then had a five-yard TD run to tie the GLIAC all-time points record of 348 set by Grand Valley's David Kircus.

NU tied the game at 14 as McCollom rushed up the middle from three yards out on the ensuing drive.

After the Warrior defense held on a fourth-and-one on Northwood's next drive, the offense went 54 yards in nine plays with Smith and Higginbottom teaming up for a 14-yard scoring pass just 30 seconds before intermission.

Sophomore Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) went 74 yards with the second half kickoff to the Northwood five. Two Bell runs gave the Warriors a 28-14 advantage less than a minute into the third period.

Childs answered with a 32-yard touchdown run to pull the hosts within seven at 28-21.

Four WSU rushes after the kickoff accounted for another score as Bell rushed right for 29 yards following a 15-yard carry by senior Daryl Graham (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres).

The next four drives (two for each team) ended in punts.

Northwood drove to the WSU 28 but McCollom's first down pass was intercepted in the end zone by senior Cornelius Dillard (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres).

Wayne State used 6:24 on the clock and went 80 yards in 11 plays for the game's final score. Smith found redshirt freshman Don Brown (Detroit, Mich./Southfield) alone at the goal line for a 17-yard scoring pass.

Bell finished with 196 yards on 28 carries, while Childs had 155 yards on eight attempts.

Smith completed 11 of 20 for 109 yards and three scores, with McCollom completing six of 11 passes for 59 yards.

Ed Sanders had a game-high six catches for a game-best 51 yards.

Matt Shango and Tristan Black had 11 and 10 tackles, respectively for a Warrior defense that held Northwood to 3-of-12 on third down.

The Warriors will play their final regular-season game at home next Saturday at noon vs. Grand Valley. The Marcels will play pre-game and halftime concerts.