Dec. 3, 2008

Wayne State University had five Daktronics All-Region selections, tied for second most of the 43 schools in Super Region #3 with Minnesota-Duluth. Grand Valley had 10.

Senior safety/return specialist Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly) earned First Team All-Region accolades at both positions.

As a return specialist, he was voted First Team All-GLIAC after finishing fifth in the nation in kickoff return average (30.7). Dunn was a three-time GLIAC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2008 and had two of the three GLIAC kickoff returns for a TD in 2008. He also blocked two punts, one vs. Indianapolis went for the game's only score to earn D2Football.com National Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He finished the year with three blocked kicks and had seven in his career.

As a safety, he was voted GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year (which includes linebackers) and First Team All-GLIAC. Dunn led all WSU defensive backs and finished 17th in the GLIAC with 82 tackles. He was fourth in the GLIAC in passes defended with 12 (3 interceptions and 9 break-ups) and was selected national player of the week by D2Football.com following the win over Indianapolis. He had four pass break-ups vs. the Greyhounds and also blocked a punt for the game's only score. He served as a team captain for the second straight year.

Named to the All-Region Second Team were junior running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.), junior linebacker Matt Shango (W. Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice) and senior cornerback Cornelius Dillard (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres).

Bell rushed for 1152 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished eighth in the GLIAC in all-purpose yards per game (125.3) and sixth in scoring (7.1 points per game). Bell led the squad in rushing and receiving (20 catches). He was named First Team All-GLIAC Running Back for the third straight year. Bell became the GLIAC's all-time leading scorer passing GVSU's David Kircus while also becoming WSU's all-time leading rusher during the 2008 season.

Shango was voted to the All-GLIAC First Team. He finished 13th in the GLIAC (and second on the team) with 84 tackles. Shango was fifth in the league in sacks (6 solo, 2 assisted) and sixth in tackles for loss (10 solo, 9 assisted). His 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks led the team. Shango was second on the squad with four quarterback hurries and he helped a WSU defense improve from 125th nationally in scoring defense in 2007 to seventh in 2008 (14.6 points per game). WSU was second in the GLIAC in Red Zone defense.

Dillard was voted First Team All-GLIAC. He led the GLIAC in passes defended with 14 while his four interceptions were tied for fifth in the conference. His 10 pass break-ups led the GLIAC. As a team, WSU had 16 interceptions and only allowed 11 passing touchdowns. The Warriors had two shutouts and held two other teams to just seven points during the 2008 campaign.