Dec. 12, 2005

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2005 SEASON STORYLINES

The Wayne State University football team improved by leaps and bounds in 2005, moving up five places in the GLIAC standings with a roster of only eight seniors.

The Warriors won their final three homes starting with a 25-14 victory over then No. 9-ranked Michigan Tech on Parents' Day.

Leading the charge for WSU was junior Chris Middlebrooks who became just the fifth player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season as he gained 1,029 yards in only 10 games.

Junior Nick Body had 67 receptions (second-highest mark in school history) for 809 yards and three touchdowns.

Four of the five starters on the offensive line will return in 2006 anchored by tackles Grant Fodor and Muhammad Abdullah. Guard Chris Ostosh started every game in 2005 as a true freshman while center Frank Lietke started nine contests in 2005.

The defense showed remarkable improvement cutting the points allowed nearly in half from 2004.

Senior defensive linemen Leo Wells and Michael Hall were key contributors. Wells led the squad with 15.5 tackles for loss including eight sacks. He also had a 91-yard interception return for a touchdown. Hall, despite missing a game due to an injury, had a team-high 69 tackles during the season, recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick.

Sophomore linebacker Alan Guy had 68 tackles, forced two fumbles and had three sacks among his 8.5 tackles for loss. Junior Dan Barnes was averaging over six tackles per game before an injury sidelined him for the final four games.

The defensive backfield was led by juniors Ryan Oshnock, Derrion Fuqua, Jerriel Burrus and Floyd Ferjuste. Oshnock finished third on the team with 61 tackles, while Fuqua had a team-best three interceptions and tied Burrus for team-high honors with six pass break-ups. Burrus made 59 tackles including four loss plus had four quarterback hurries. Ferjuste contributed 55 tackles.

Both kickers, David Chudzinski and Brian Cyr, were sophomores. Chudzinski made seven field goals and finished second on the team in scoring. Cyr averaged over 37 yards per punt and had 17 inside the opponents 20-yard line.

The future looks bright in 2006. WSU's home opener is scheduled for Sept. 9 against the Saint Joseph's Pumas at Adams Field.

Wayne State finished sixth nationally in strength of schedule and was rated 40th in the country by the Masseyratings.com.

The Warriors were one of three teams during the regular season to have a second half lead against Grand Valley, the national champions.

ON THE SIDELINES

Paul Winters concluded his second year as the Warriors head coach. He is the first WSU football coach to show a two-game improvement from year one to two since Brian VanGorder accomplished the feat in 1992-1993.

IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was tabbed for 13th in the GLIAC pre-season coaches poll but tied-for-eighth.

WARRIOR CAPTAINS

Grant Fodor, Michael Hall, Ryan Oshnock, Leo Wells.

WSU NOTES

Wayne State improved its national ranking in 11 of the 12 categories the NCAA ranks each team. The most dramatic improvements were in scoring defense (140th to 54th) and pass efficiency defense (119th to 52nd).

Nine Warriors were selected to the GLIAC All-League teams. Senior defensive end Leo Wells was a first team honoree after garnering second team honors his first three seasons. Juniors Chris Middlebrooks (running back), Nick Body (wide receiver) and Derrion Fuqua (cornerback) all earned Second Team All-GLIAC accolades.

Five WSU players earned Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection: senior defensive lineman Michael Hall, junior defensive end Alan Clay, junior defensive tackle/linebacker Chris Smilo, sophomore linebacker Alan Guy and sophomore center Frank Lietke.

Junior linebacker Dan Barnes was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team.

Senior defensive end Leo Wells was named to the D2Football.com Second Team All-Northwest Region squad.

Barnes, Mickey Berce, Wes Brown, Alan Guy, Dale Knuth, Frank Lietke, Ryan Oshnock, Kris Prevost, John Rehberg, Kenny Schmidt, Jake Weingartz have all been nominated for the GLIAC All-Academic team.

2006 SCHEDULE NOTES

Wayne State has signed a two-year agreement with Saint Joseph's College of Rensselaer, Ind., for a home-and-home series beginning in 2006. The Warriors host the Pumas on Sept. 9, 2006, and will travel to SJC on Sept. 8, 2007.

"We are very excited about the upcoming season," said head coach Paul Winters. "We have great expectations and anticipate a winning season in 2006!"

Home opponents in 2006 represent four different states (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania).

•WSU opens against Michigan Tech for the first time since Sept. 21, 1968.

•St. Joseph's makes its first trip to Detroit since the season finale in 1999.

•WSU concludes the regular season with Ferris State for the first time since Nov. 11, 1989.