Oct. 30, 2007

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ASHLAND GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State will look to continue its recent success at Ashland's Community Stadium this Saturday, where the Warriors are 2-1 in their last three contests.

Last week, Wayne State battled regionally-ranked Northwood nearly even through two-and-a-half quarters, but the Timberwolves scored 21 of 24 points after the Warriors had pulled within one at 17-16.

NU scored touchdowns on four consecutive possessions, with all four drives of at least 68 yards.

Despite rushing for only 31 yards on 22 attempts, Joique Bell recorded two rushing touchdowns and also had a 37-yard touchdown reception on a broken play from quarterback Trent Pohl. With his touchdown pass, Pohl moved into ninth place on WSU's all-time list.

Bell also broke his school record for touchdowns in a season (24). He scored 23 touchdowns a year ago.

Daryl Graham had a team-high 145 rushing yards on 16 carries including a 50-yard run. It was Graham's third 100-yard game of the season.

Senior tight end John Rehberg tied a career-high with three receptions, while freshman wideout Ed Sanders also had three catches and a team-best 58 receiving yards.

Junior Dante Dunn had four kickoff returns for 60 yards to move into a fifth-place tie in career kickoff returns (42 with Craig Duppong) and third in kickoff return yards (with 1,050). Dunn also recorded eight tackles and blocked a third quarter punt by Northwood.

Sophomore safety Brandon Cooper had his fifth interception of the campaign and needs one in the final two games to become the first WSU player in 21 years to have six picks in a season (Derrick Mason in 1986).

Sophomore Matt Shango, in his first collegiate start, recorded a team-high nine tackles including two for loss, while also forcing two fumbles.

The Wayne State defense held Northwood to zero third-down conversions in five attempts through 45 minutes.

WSU will play its regular-season finale Nov. 10 against Ferris State at Adams Field with a noon kickoff on Senior Day.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected for fifth in the 2007 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Ashland was tabbed for eighth, and currently sits in second place.

ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 13-27 mark in his fourth year with the Warriors. WSU is 12-13 in its last 25 games.

The Warriors are 6-15 on the road under Winters and have a 1-2 mark vs. Ashland.

Lee Owens has compiled a 24-15 record in his fourth year with the Eagles.

WSU head coach Paul Winters was the offensive coordinator for Ashland's head coach Lee Owens, while Owens was the head coach at Akron.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Ashland leads 17-5 in the all-time series which began in 1975. WSU is 3-8 at Ashland's Community Stadium but has won two of the last three in Ashland.

SCOUTING ASHLAND

The Eagles have won five straight, including three on the road.

Dawon Harvey (570) and Jaman Javey (552) have each rushed for over 500 yards. Jon Schroeder has 14 rushing touchdowns in only 60 carries. Billy Cundiff has completed 97 of 153 passes for 1,543 yards and 10 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

Tom Brenner has a team-best 54 tackles including four sacks.

STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

Bell enters the Ashland contest with 3,999 all-purpose yards in 20 games. He is 94 yards behind Thabiti Williamson (4,093) for second place on the WSU career list.

WSU has won two its last three games at Ashland (WSU 19-16 in 2001, WSU 29-19 in 2003, and AU 27-3 in 2005).

Wayne State is 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 fifth in fumbles recovered (15), 19th in turnovers gained (25), 21st in punt return defense (6.17 yards per return), 23rd in both turnover margin (+1.0 per game) and sacks allowed (1.22 pg), and 24th in both rushing offense (216.6 ypg) and sacks (2.89 pg).

Junior guard Chris Ostosh is slated to make his 30th career start in the Ashland contest. Other current Warriors with at least 30 career starts include linebacker Alan Guy (38), tight end John Rehberg (33) and center Frank Liekte (31).

THIS AND THAT

All Wayne State football games can be heard on WDTK Radio (1400 AM). Fans can also listen to all WSU football games online at wdtkam.com or watch the five home games via B2 for a $6 fee per contest.