Oct. 30, 2007

The Wayne State University football team is ranked fourth nationally in kickoff return average (26.45) with 42 returns for 1,111 yards. The Warriors have three kickoff returns for over 75 yards this year.

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

Wayne State is also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 24th at 216.6 yards per game

Scoring offense - 42nd at 31.1 points per game

Turnover margin - 23rd at +1.0 per game

Team punt returns - 47th at 10.2

Sacks - 24th at 2.89 per game

Sacks allowed - 23rd at 1.22 per game

Punt return defense - 21st at 6.17 yards allowed per return

Turnovers lost - 41st with 16

Turnovers gained - 19th with 25

Fumbles lost - 26th with 6

Fumbles recovered - 5th with 15

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) is 18th in rushing yards per game (132.3), second in scoring (16.0 points per game), 13th in all-purpose yards per game (170.8) and 12th in total rushing yards (1,191).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - 10th in kickoff return average (29.6 yards per return).

Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) - 31st in kickoff return average (26.4 yards per return) and has the third-most returns (18) of anyone ranked in the top 14.

Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) - fifth in interceptions per game (0.6) and 29th in passes defended per game (1.3).

Steve Wisniewski (Madison Hts., Mich./Lamphere) - 37th in tackles per game (9.3) and 60th in solo tackles per game (4.9).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 55th in tackles per game (9.0) and 20th in solo tackles per game (5.7).

James Cook (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) - 26th in sacks per game (0.8).

Matt Shango (W. Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice) - 22nd in forced fumbles per game (0.33).

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 1 p.m. kick-off this Saturday at Ashland, before returning to Adams Field for the regular-season finale on Nov. 10 vs. Ferris State. The contest against the Bulldogs will have a noon kickoff.