Oct. 9, 2007

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HILLSDALE GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State looks to end a four-game conference road losing streak, since last year's 30-3 win at Gannon on Oct. 7, this Saturday as the Warriors travel to Hillsdale.

WSU snapped a five-game GLIAC losing skein with a 56-21 triumph over Gannon before the sixth largest crowd in WSU Stadium history (4,823) last Saturday.

The 56 points was the fifth most in school history, and the most for a Homecoming game since a 61-29 win over Washington (Mo.) in 1968, in the first game at WSU Stadium.

The 509 yards of total offense was the 10th highest mark in WSU history.

The Warriors raced out to a 14-0 lead after 15 minutes and held a 163-63 advantage in total offense despite Gannon holding an 11:05 to 3:55 lead in time of possession. Both of WSU's first quarter scoring drives were one play (a six yard run by Joique Bell and an 86-yard pass from Trent Pohl to David Mosley, the fourth longest in school history).

Bell had a 10-yard scoring jaunt in the second quarter, while Anthony Morasso connected on a 36-yard field goal giving the Warriors a 23-0 lead.

A Pohl to Aaron Higginbottom touchdown pass was sandwiched around two Gannon scores. David Chudzinski added two third quarter field goals (41 and 42 yards) before WSU added three touchdowns in the final stanza, including two by Bell.

With his second four-touchdown performance of the campaign, Bell tied the WSU all-time record with 38 career touchdowns (Pierre Brown 1998-2001).

WSU out-rushed Gannon, 308-36, plus the Warriors were +5 in turnovers.

The Wayne State defense had 10 tackles for loss including four sacks, four forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and four quarterback hurries (two by Andrew Bates).

After this Saturday's game at Hillsdale (Oct. 13), the Warriors visit Indianapolis (Oct. 20) to conclude its second set of back-to-back road weekends this season. Following a home game versus Northwood (Oct. 27), the Warriors travel to Ashland on Nov. 3 before concluding the regular season at home on Nov. 10 against Ferris State.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected for fifth in the 2007 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Hillsdale was tabbed for ninth.

ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 12-25 mark in his fourth year with the Warriors. WSU is 11-11 its last 22 games.

The Warriors are 5-14 on the road under Winters and have an 0-1 mark at Hillsdale.

Chargers head coach Keith Otterbein has an overall mark of 86-74-03 in his 15th year.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Hillsdale leads 35-12-1 in the all-time series which began in 1926. WSU is 6-15 at Hillsdale with the last win coming in 2000 (27-21).

SCOUTING HILLSDALE

The Chargers are 4-2 after a 34-30 setback at Indianapolis. HC is third in the league in scoring offense (43.0) and fourth in defense (25.0).

Senior quarterback Mark Nicolet has completed 138-of-203 for 2,086 yards and 20 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Vinnie Panizzi is the leading rusher with 499 yards and eight touchdowns. Both Nick Gurica and Aaron Waldie are averaging over 100 receiving yards per game.

Tom Korte leads the defense with 66 tackles and has two interceptions.

STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

The Warriors rushed 60 times for 308 yards vs. Gannon, the most yardage in 13 years (330 at St. Joseph's on Sept. 10, 1994).

WSU has scored at least 50 points in a game twice this season, marking the first time in school history.

Pohl passed for 201 yards, a season-high, and almost equaled his previous best of 205 set last year at Gannon.

Both senior Chris Alsina and freshman Ed Sanders extended their reception streaks (to 11 and six games, respectively).

Chudzinski, after having his consecutive extra point streak end at 58, needs one extra point made to equal the school mark of 67 by Matt Fishburn (1994-97).

Bell needs two rushing touchdowns to tie the WSU all-time mark of 37 set by Ed Skowneski (1972-75). Bell has rushed for 2,939 yards in 17 games (172.9 yards per game) and 35 touchdowns. He needs six points to equal Brown's (1998-2001) all-time record of 234.

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.