Oct. 17, 2007

The Wayne State University football team is ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (26.91).

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 14.

Wayne State is also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 22nd at 224.9 yards per game

Scoring offense - 38th at 31.6 points per game

Turnover margin - 37th at +0.6 per game

Punt return average - 37th at 11.2 yards per return

Sacks - 18th at 3.14 per game

Sacks allowed - 29th at 1.29 per game

Kickoff return defense - 41st at 18.14 yards allowed per return

Punt return defense - 37th at 8.14 yards allowed per return

Turnovers lost - 40th with 12

Fumbles lost - 24th with 5

Fumbles recovered - 13th with 10

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) is 11th in rushing yards per game (144.1), third in scoring (14.6 points per game), eighth in all-purpose yards per game (182.3) and ninth in total rushing yards (1,009).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - 11th in kickoff return average (30.1 yards per return).

Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) - 12th in kickoff return average (29.7 yards per return) and has the second-most returns (14) of anyone ranked in the top 15.

Steve Wisniewski (Madison Hts., Mich./Lamphere) - 14th in tackles per game (10.6) and 25th in solo tackles per game (5.6).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 17th in solo tackles per game (5.9).

James Cook (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) - 13th in sacks per game (0.9).

The Warriors have a 6:00 p.m. kick-off at Indianapolis this Saturday before returning to Adams Field for a noon start on Oct. 27 against Northwood.