Oct. 23, 2007

The Wayne State University football team is ranked third nationally in kickoff return average (28.03) after returning two kicks for 93 yards last week at Indianapolis. Bruno Shkreli's 77-yard return to start the second half set up WSU's fourth touchdown.

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 (35) of any school ranked in the top 11.

Wayne State is also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 20th at 221.0 yards per game

Scoring offense - 39th at 31.9 points per game

Turnover margin - 25th at +0.9 per game

Sacks - 14th at 3.13 per game

Sacks allowed - 21st at 1.13 per game

Kickoff return defense - 49th at 18.82 yards allowed per return

Punt return defense - 33rd at 6.9 yards allowed per return

Turnovers lost - 44th with 14

Turnovers gained - 28th with 21

Fumbles lost - 31st with 6

Fumbles recovered - 10th with 12

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) is eighth in rushing yards per game (145.0), third in scoring (15.8 points per game), 10th in all-purpose yards per game (179.9), fifth in total rushing yards (1,160), second in rushing attempts (219) and first in points scored (126).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - 10th 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 third-most returns (14) of anyone ranked in the top 14.

Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) - 11th in interceptions per game (0.6) and 36th in passes defended per game (1.3).

Steve Wisniewski (Madison Hts., Mich./Lamphere) - 20th in tackles per game (10.4) and 35th in solo tackles per game (5.4).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 43rd in tackles per game (9.3) and 17th in solo tackles per game (5.9).

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

The 19 tackles each recorded by Brandon Cooper and Alan Guy on Sept. 22 against Findlay is tied for the sixth-highest total in D-II football this season.

The Warriors have a noon kick-off this Saturday at home against Northwood. The Spirit of '76 band will be performing pre-game and halftime concerts with students being able to "Trick or Treat" with the Warriors at halftime.