Oct. 2, 2007

The Wayne State University football team is again ranked fourth nationally in kickoff return average (29.76).

WSU is one of two schools in the nation with two kickoff returns for touchdowns this year (Newberry is the other institution). The Warriors have the most kickoff returns (25) of any school ranked in the top 13.

Wayne State is also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 31st at 202.6 yards per game

Sacks - 34th at 2.8 per game

Fumbles lost - 35th with 4

Punt return average - 39th at 11.2 yards per return

Kickoff return defense - 48th at 18.65 yards allowed per return

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) is eighth in rushing yards per game (147.0), fifth in scoring (13.2 points per game), seventh in all-purpose yards per game (186.0) and ninth in total rushing yards (735).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - third in kickoff return average (38.7 yards per return).

Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) - 12th in kickoff return average (31.5 yards per return) and has the second-most returns (11) of anyone ranked in the top 20.

Steve Wisniewski (Madison Hts., Mich./Lamphere) - 11th in tackles per game (11.4); 36th in solo tackles per game (5.4).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 29th in solo tackles per game (5.6).

Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) - 46th in solo tackles per game (5.2).

James Cook (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) - 34th in sacks per game (0.8).

The Warriors, after playing three of their last four games on the road, return home to Adams Field for this Saturday's Homecoming contest against Gannon. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.