Oct. 15, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

FERRIS STATE GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State is 5-2 for only the third time since 1978 (1983, 2006 and 2008) following the 24-10 Homecoming victory over Northern Michigan before the seventh largest crowd (4,502) in WSU Stadium/Adams Field history.

The Warriors scored on their first three possessions for a 17-0 lead before the end of the first quarter. Then the WSU defense took center stage allowing one field goal drive (67 yards) and a short touchdown drive (27 yards) following a WSU fumble.

Wayne State is in a four-way tie for third place (with Ferris State, Michigan Tech and Saginaw Valley), just one game behind second place Ashland.

WSU will play in its fourth Homecoming game of the year and third consecutive on the road this Saturday in Big Rapids. The Warriors are 2-1 in Homecoming games this season with wins over Findlay and Northern Michigan sandwiched around a setback at Ashland.

For the second straight week, WSU will face a running quarterback. FSU's Tom Schneider has passed for 667 yards and rushed for 422 and five touchdowns.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Ferris State leads the all-time series 24-20. WSU is 8-11 in Big Rapids including two wins in its last five trips to Top Taggart Field. The Bulldogs have won seven of the last eight meetings. Wayne won eight of the first 10 meetings in a series that started in 1920.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected for ninth in the 2008 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Ferris State was tabbed for seventh.

ON THIS DATE (OCTOBER 18)

Wayne State is 2-10-1 on this date. Wayne's last victory on October 18 was a 21-6 triumph at Case Tech in 1958 which has been followed by six consecutive setbacks.

ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 18-31 mark in his fifth year with the Warriors. WSU is 17-17 in its last 34 games. The Warriors are 11-13 at home under Winters.

FSU's Jeff Pierce is in his 14th year with the Bulldogs.

SCOUTING FERRIS STATE

The Bulldogs are 2-2 in their last four after starting the year with three straight wins.

Tim Hogue has rushed for 461 yards and three touchdowns and also has a team-leading 25 receptions.

Kevin Noe has a team-high 65 tackles.

STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

The 109 points allowed through seven games is the fewest since the 1986 squad allowed 105 points.

On WSU's last drive of the second quarter, Joique Bell had a 10-yard gain on a second-and-seven to surpass the 4,000-yard career rushing plateau. On the very next play, Bell was credited with a five-yard run which pushed his all-time all-purpose yards total over 5,000. He needs 72 rushing yards to equal Joe Gough's (1991-94) school record of 4,204.

Bell also moved up three spots in WSU's all-time total offense chart during the NMU contest and is currently third with 4,275 yards. Bell also surpassed Ferris State's Mo Harris (1997-99) on the GLIAC career rushing chart and all-purpose yards list. He had 258 all-purpose yards (174 rushing, 84 receiving) vs. NMU, the 12th highest single-game total in school history. Bell has six of the top 13 marks all-time for WSU.

David Chudzinski made his 28th career field goal which ties him with Jerry McGowan (1983-86) for second place all-time at WSU.

Dante Dunn had a pass break-up to move into sole possession of fourth place on the WSU passes defended list. Dunn needs 84 kickoff return yards to break the WSU career record set by Jon Roberts (1995-98) of 1,734 kickoff return yards.

Freshman Don Brown had his first career TD reception.

Freshman punter Shane Morris averaged 40.7 yards on seven punts with three inside the 20 plus another three that NMU started inside their own 30.

Troy Burrell extended his reception streak to seven games with a game-high five catches.

NATIONAL POLLS

Wayne State is 37th in this week's Massey Ratings (www.masseyratings.com). Other GLIAC teams listed include Grand Valley (#5), Ashland (#19), Michigan Tech (#20), Ferris State (#24) and Saginaw Valley (#38).

INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS

Dante Dunn, KOR, 7th
Matt Shango, Sacks, T-26th
Stan Thornton, Interceptions, T-35th
Cornelius Dillard, Interceptions, T-35th
Joique Bell, Rushing, 37th
Tristan Black, Tackles, T-46th
Shane Morris, Punting, 57th
Dante Dunn, Tackles, T-57th
Joique Bell, All-Purpose, 58th

NCAA TEAM RANKINGS

Kickoff Returns -- 1st
Turnover Margin -- 13th
Scoring Defense -- 14th
Sacks -- T-26th
Sacks Allowed -- 27th
Tackles For Loss -- 61st
Rushing Offense -- 67th
Net Punting -- 67th
Rushing Defense -- 68th
Pass Efficiency Defense -- 70th
Total Defense -- 81st