Nov. 13, 2007

In the final NCAA regular-season statistics for Division II, the Wayne State University football team was ranked fourth nationally in kickoff return average (25.89) with 55 returns for 1,424 yards. The Warriors tied for second with two kickoff returns for a touchdown. Three different WSU players had a kickoff return of at least 75 yards.

Wayne State was also ranked nationally in:

Rushing offense - 25th at 219.5 yards per game

Scoring offense - 47th at 30.5 points per game

Turnover margin - 19th at +1.1 per game

Sacks - 25th at 2.91 per game

Sacks allowed - 32nd at 1.36 per game

Kickoff return defense -- 50th at 18.77 yards allowed per return

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

Turnovers lost - 27th with 18

Turnovers gained - 16th with 30

Fumbles lost - 18th with 7

Fumbles recovered - 6th with 17

In terms of individual national rankings, sophomore running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) was 14th in rushing yards per game (129.7), third in scoring (15.3 points per game), 14th in all-purpose yards per game (165.7), 11th in total rushing yards (1,427) and second in points (168).

Other individuals with top 50 rankings include:

Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) - 17th in kickoff return average (28.1 yards per return).

Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) - 21st in kickoff return average (27.3 yards per return) and had the fourth-most returns (22) of anyone ranked in the top 23.

Brandon Cooper (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) - 14th in interceptions per game (0.5), and 44th in passes defended per game (1.1).

Alan Guy (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) - 39th in solo tackles per game (5.3).

James Cook (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) - 49th in sacks per game (0.7).

Matt Shango (W. Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice) - 42nd in forced fumbles per game (0.27).

Junior running back Daryl Graham (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) finished 70th in total rushing yards (800) and 73rd in rushing yards per game (80.0).