Oct. 29, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

NORTHWOOD GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State earned its seventh win of the season, the most since 1983 (7-3), with a 14-7 triumph over visiting Hillsdale last Saturday.

Joique Bell scored two rushing touchdowns including the game-winning score with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter.

The WSU defense limited the Chargers to 315 yards of offense and had three takeaways (interceptions by Myles McNichols and Dante Dunn plus a fumble recovery by Tristan Black in the end zone). The Warriors also stopped all three Hillsdale fourth down plays including a fourth-and-one on HC's first drive.

In addition, Wayne State nearly set a season-high in time of possession (33:37) but did equal the season-best for first downs (20).

The sixth conference victory on the field equals the WSU mark set in 2006 (6-4).

The Warriors are currently tied-for-second in the league, with their best finish in the last 25 years being tied-for-second in 1983 (4-2). The 1984 squad was third, while the 2006 team was tied-for-fourth.

Over the last five games, WSU is 14-for-15 in the red zone, while the Wayne State defense has held the opponent scoreless on seven of its last 17 trips in the red zone.

This Saturday the Warriors travel to Northwood (2-6) for a noon kickoff. A win would tie the school record for victories in a season set by the 1975 squad and equaled the following year.

Wayne State has won three consecutive games for the second time this year. The last WSU team to win four straight was the 1977 squad (Sept. 10-Oct. 1).

ALL-TIME SERIES

Northwood leads the all-time series 17-12. WSU is 6-11 in Midland with the last road victory being a 24-20 decision in 1996. NU has won the last 11 meetings.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected ninth in the 2008 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Northwood was fourth. WSU is ninth in this week's NCAA Super Regional Three rankings.

ON THIS DATE (NOVEMBER 1)

Wayne State is 5-9 on this date. WSU has lost four straight on Nov. 1 since a 17-13 win at Northwood in 1975. Both times the Warriors and Timberwolves played on this date, the road team won.

ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 20-31 mark in his fifth year with the Warriors. WSU is 19-17 in its last 36 games. The Warriors are 12-13 at home under Winters.

Northwood's Mike Sullivan is in his first year as a head coach.

SCOUTING NORTHWOOD

The Timberwolves are 2-3 in their last five after starting the year 0-3.

Quarterback Spencer Klukowski leads the team in rushing (694 yards and 6 TDs) and passing (80-148 for 1043 yards). Quillan Mathis has a team-high 19 catches.

Leroy Gilbourne has a team-high 59 tackles including six for loss.

STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

Bell became the school's career rushing leader on his 25-yard carry on WSU's first play of the fourth quarter. Bell entered the final period with 4,201 rushing yards (three behind Joe Gough's all-time mark of 4,204).

After being held to 57 yards on 16 carries through 45 minutes, Bell rushed for 83 yards on 13 carries in the final quarter.

Bell increased his GLIAC rushing yards total (GLIAC GAMES ONLY) to 4,049, which ranks third all-time. His GLIAC all-purpose yards mark improved to 5,017, which also ranks third all-time. Bell has 342 GLIAC points, which ranks third behind Michigan Tech's Lee Marana (344 -- 2003-06) and Grand Valley's David Kircus (348 -- 1999-02).

The win was Winters' 20th at WSU (not counting the Saginaw Valley forfeit), which ties him for sixth place with Louis F. Zarza (1949-54).

The last time WSU won five straight at home was actually eight straight from September 24, 1983, through October 13, 1984.

WSU is 5-0 at home for the first time since 1974.

NCAA TEAM RANKINGS

Kickoff Returns -- 1st
Scoring Defense -- 4th
Turnover Margin -- 6th
Sacks Allowed -- 14th
Sacks -- 23rd
Pass Efficiency Defense -- 51st
Tackles For Loss -- 53rd
Rushing Defense -- 56th
Rushing Offense -- 62nd
Net Punting -- 72nd
Total Defense -- 73rd

INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RANKINGS

Dante Dunn, KOR, 4th
Matt Shango, Sacks, T-26th
Tristan Black, Tackles, T-32nd
Stan Thornton, Interceptions, T-35th
Joique Bell, Rushing, 46th
David Chudzinski, Field Goals, T-61st
Dante Dunn, Tackles, T-66th
Josh Renel, Punt Returns, 68th
Shane Morris, Punting, 75th

NATIONAL POLLS

Wayne State is 26th in this week's Massey Ratings (www.masseyratings.com). Other GLIAC teams listed include Grand Valley (#6), Ashland (#23), Michigan Tech (#27), Saginaw Valley (#31) and Ferris State (#32).

Super Regional Three (Weekly Poll Oct. 28)

1. Grand Valley State, 8-0
2. Minnesota Duluth, 9-0
3. Chadron State, 8-1
4. Ashland, 6-3
5. Minn. State Mankato, 7-2
6. Wayne State (Neb.), 7-2
7. Michigan Tech, 6-3
8. Augustana (S.D.), 6-3
9. Wayne State (Mich.), 7-2
10. Ferris State, 6-3