Nov. 6, 2007

The Wayne State University football team is ranked seventh nationally in kickoff return average (25.73) with 51 returns for 1,312 yards. The Warriors have three kickoff returns for over 75 yards this year.

Wayne State is also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 21st at 230.2 yards per game

Scoring offense - 35th at 32.2 points per game

Turnover margin - 24th at +0.9 per game

Team punt returns - 48th at 10.18

Sacks - 18th at 3.0 per game

Sacks allowed - 31st at 1.3 per game

Punt return defense - 33rd at 6.93 yards allowed per return

Turnovers lost - 36th with 17

Turnovers gained - 30th with 26

Fumbles lost - 18th with 6

Fumbles recovered - 8th with 16

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) is 13th in rushing yards per game (136.6), first in scoring (16.8 points per game), 14th in all-purpose yards per game (173.9) and eighth in total rushing yards (1,366).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - 15th in kickoff return average (29.1 yards per return).

Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) - 28th in kickoff return average (26.5 yards per return) and has the sixth-most returns (20) of anyone ranked in the top 28.

Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) - ninth in interceptions per game (0.6), 49th in solo tackles per game (5.0) and 44th in passes defended per game (1.1).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 26th in solo tackles per game (5.4).

James Cook (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) - 35th in sacks per game (0.8).

Matt Shango (W. Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice) - 29th in forced fumbles per game (0.3).

The Warriors have a noon kick-off this Saturday at Adams Field versus Ferris State in the season finale.