Oct. 9, 2007

The Wayne State University football team is still ranked fourth nationally in kickoff return average (29.26).

WSU is one of three schools in the nation with two kickoff returns for touchdowns this year (Newberry and Washburn are the other institutions). The Warriors have the most kickoff returns (27) of any school ranked in the top 17.

Wayne State is also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 27th at 216.8 yards per game

Scoring offense - 36th at 33.3 points per game

Turnover margin - 32nd at +0.8 per game

Punt return average - 38th at 11.0 yards per return

Sacks - 23rd at 3.0 per game

Sacks allowed - 38th at 1.5 per game

Kickoff return defense - 50th at 18.65 yards allowed per return

Punt return defense - 49th at 8.14 yards allowed per return

Turnovers lost - 49th with 11

Turnovers gained - 31st with 16

Fumbles lost - 20th with 4

Fumbles recovered - 9th with 10

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) is 12th in rushing yards per game (145.7), third in scoring (15.0 points per game), ninth in all-purpose yards per game (178.2) and seventh in total rushing yards (874).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - third in kickoff return average (34.8 yards per return).

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

Steve Wisniewski (Madison Hts., Mich./Lamphere) - 17th in tackles per game (10.5).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 49th in solo tackles per game (5.0).

James Cook (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) - 21st in sacks per game (0.8).

Tristan Black (Toronto, Ont./Vanier Prep) - 44th in forced fumbles per game (0.33).

The Warriors have a 2:30 p.m. kick-off at Hillsdale this Saturday.