Sept. 27, 2007

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GRAND VALLEY GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State enters this Saturday's contest against the top-ranked Grand Valley State Lakers looking to end a few streaks -- WSU has lost back-to-back overtime games for the first time in school history; the Warriors have lost 20 straight vs. GVSU for the Wooden Shoes Trophy; and Wayne State has suffered a setback in its last four conference contests.

WSU has played two consecutive overtime games for the first time in school history following last Saturday's 35-28 loss to Findlay at Adams Field.

Similar to the week before at Mercyhurst (when WSU had a 21-3 lead), the Warriors built a 21-10 lead over the Oilers only to have the visitors knot the game at 21 and then at 28 with 52 seconds remaining.

Findlay scored in the first overtime, while Wayne State completed a pass to the UF five yard line but the play was called back due to a holding penalty. On the ensuing play, WSU quarterback Trent Pohl was intercepted in the end zone.

The Warriors did return two second half kickoffs for touchdowns for the first time in school history. Freshman Stan Thornton took the second half kickoff back 78 yards helping WSU regain the lead at 14-10.

After Findlay tied the game at 21, junior Dante Dunn went 89 yards with the kickoff for his second collegiate kickoff return for a score.

Joique Bell rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Wayne State starting quarterback Mickey Berce completed 7-of-10 for 98 yards in his first collegiate start. Trent Pohl was 6-of-15 for 64 yards.

Eight different receivers had receptions led by sophomore Brian Rilley, who made the first three catches of his career.

Findlay had a decisive advantage in time of possession (40:26-19:34) and total offensive plays (99-56).

Senior linebacker Alan Guy and sophomore safety Brandon Cooper each had 19 tackles, to tie for the ninth-highest single-game mark in school history.

The Warriors play three of their next four games on the road starting with this Saturday's contest against Grand Valley at Fifth Third Ballpark. Following the WSU Homecoming game versus Gannon on Oct. 6, WSU will visit Hillsdale (Oct. 13) and Indianapolis (Oct. 20).

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was tabbed for fifth in the 2007 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while defending national champion Grand Valley was selected first.

ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has an 11-24 mark in his fourth year with the Warriors. WSU is 10-10 its last 20 games.

The Warriors are 5-12 on the road under Winters and have an 0-3 mark versus Grand Valley.

Laker head coach Chuck Martin has a 42-3 mark in his fifth year at the helm.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Grand Valley leads 25-5 in the all-time series having won the last 20 meetings. Wayne State had won four of six and two of three in Allendale, before GVSU's current streak.

ON THIS DATE

WSU's last game on Sept. 29 was a 44-43 loss at Findlay in 2001.

The Tartars suffered a 27-8 setback at Ashland in 1990 and a 23-14 defeat at Northwood in 1984.

SCOUTING GRAND VALLEY

The Lakers have won all three games in 2007 by an average of 31 points including last Saturday's 48-6 victory at Michigan Tech.

Brad Iciek has passed for 547 yards and seven touchdowns in three games with only one interception. James Berezik has a team-high 270 rushing yards and three scores.

GVSU's defense has six interceptions and has returned three for touchdowns.

STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

Wayne State has started the year 1-3, after beginning 2006 with a 3-1 record. Each game this year has been the opposite result against the same opponent as a year ago.

Freshman Stan Thornton had 157 kickoff return yards versus Findlay, the fourth highest single-game total in school history, which included a 78-yard touchdown return to start the second half.

For the second week in a row, WSU set a team mark for kickoff return yards in a game (258). The 43.0 yards per return (on six returns) is also the highest for one game in WSU history.

With his 89-yard kickoff return, Dante Dunn is one yard shy of Craig Duppong's career total of 834 kickoff return yards for seventh place all-time at WSU.

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 five home games plus the road game at Hillsdale on their computers via B2 for a $6 fee per contest.