Sept. 10, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

INDIANAPOLIS GAME STORYLINES

After suffering a 21-13 setback to 24th-ranked Saginaw Valley on Sept. 5, Wayne State will try to extend its three-game winning streak in Indianapolis this Saturday in the lone night game of the year for WSU.

The Warriors' three victories have been by a combined 12 points (24-21 in 2000; 24-21 OT in 2004; and 34-28 in 2007).

Wayne State is 4-3 vs. the Greyhounds this decade and has a modest two-game overall win streak.

SVSU RECAP

The 2009 Warriors were unable to be the first WSU squad to start 2-0 since 1976 last week despite holding the Cardinals scoreless in the second half.

Joique Bell became WSU's all-time leader in total offense on his second carry of the SVSU game surpassing quarterback Michael Gluski (1994-98), who had 4,984 yards.

Bell did a little of everything for WSU -- rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown, throwing a touchdown pass, and leading the team in receiving with three catches.

It was his 29th career 100-yard rushing effort, while his rushing touchdown midway through the second period moved him into a tie-for-21st place on the NCAA Division II all-time scoring list with 402 points.

Senior fullback Brian Rilley had two carries for 15 yards with a career-best 13-yard rush in the fourth quarter. All six of his career rushing attempts have come vs. SVSU.

Junior cornerback Stan Thornton recorded an interception, his seventh in the last 12 contests, setting up WSU's second touchdown of the contest. Sophomore linebacker Nick Thomas recorded a game-high 16 tackles and leads the GLIAC with 26 tackles (11-15) after two games.

The 34 points allowed by the Warrior defense is the third fewest after two games in the last 14 years (30 by the the 1995 squad is the fewest).

Wayne State also had four takeaways (three fumble recoveries plus the aforementioned interception). SVSU had four turnovers in only one game in 2008 (Sept. 20 at Northwood - two interceptions, one fumble, plus a misplayed kickoff return).

COMCAST TELEVISION

The October 3 homecoming contest against Ashland will be televised by Comcast, which also broadcast last week's SVSU game.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected fourth in the 2009 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Indianapolis was tabbed for eighth.

ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 22-33 mark in his sixth year with the Warriors. WSU is 9-4 in its last 13 games. The Warriors are 9-16 (not counting neutral site games) on the road under Winters including wins in three of the last four contests away from Motown.

Joe Polizzi has compiled an 81-83-1 mark in his 16th year with the Greyhounds.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Indianapolis leads the all-time series 11-7 which began in 1973. WSU has a 5-4 record at Key Stadium including three consecutive victories.

SCOUTING INDIANAPOLIS

The Greyhounds are 1-1 after a 31-3 triumph over Kentucky Wesleyan and a 26-10 setback at home to Grand Valley.

Patrick Bourne has rushed for a team-high 70 yards, while quarterback Rob Doyle has passed for 522 yards and three scores.

Wide receiver Joe Leach has a team-leading 14 receptions for 145 yards. Craig Ray leads the UI defense with 20 tackles (6-14) after two games.

STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

With 97 rushing yards Bell will become just the 25th person in NCAA Division II history with 5,000 career rushing yards.

On his next touchdown, Bell will become just the 20th person in NCAA Division II history with at least 408 career points.

Thornton will move into a tie-for-eighth on the WSU all-time interceptions chart with his next pick.

This is the first time in 92 years that WSU will have played three regular-season games before Sept. 13.

THIS AND THAT

All Wayne State football games can be heard on WDTK Radio (1400 AM). Fans can also listen to all WSU football games online at wdtkam.com or watch the four remaining home games via B2 Networks for a $7 fee per contest or a season pass for $40 (for eight remaining games).

ON THIS DATE (SEPTEMBER 12)

Wayne State is 1-3 on this date including a 14-13 win over Slippery Rock at Michigan Stadium in 1981, a 27-17 loss at Dayton in 1987, a 32-13 setback against Saginaw Valley in 1992, a 39-13 defeat at Findlay in 1998.