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Findlay, Ohio – The Wayne State University football claimed the inaugural GLIAC South Division football title with a 44-27 triumph Saturday afternoon at the University of Findlay (1-10 overall, 1-9 GLIAC).

The Warriors (9-2 overall, 8-2 GLIAC) set school records for wins in a season and conference victories in a year behind a well-balanced performance.

Junior running back Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams), who was named on Friday as one the 24 national semifinalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Heisman) garnered 207 all-purpose yards. He finishes the regular season with 2,133 all-purpose yards, the third-highest mark in school history behind Joique Bell's totals in 2006 (2,462) and 2009 (2,392).

Freshman place-kicker Stefan Terleckyj (Warren, Mich./Warren Mott) set a career-high with three field goals made, and came within one point of tying the school mark for points by a kicker in a game with 14 (Carey Starnes made five field goals for 15 points on Sept. 27, 1980, vs. Towson State).

The Warrior defense limited the Oilers to 325 yards of total offense and three-of-13 on third down conversions.

The hosts took an early 7-0 lead after back-to-back punts on the first two possessions of the game. A flea flicker pass from Dustin Zielaskiewicz to Jonathan Mora for 29 yards capped a four-play, 63-yard drive which included a personal foul on WSU.

Terleckyj missed just wide left on a 36-yard attempt on Wayne State's ensuing drive. The Oilers gained one first down, but senior Kenny Watson (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) came through and blocked a Findlay punt at the UF 32, which included an 18-yard penalty on UF for illegal batting.

Four plays later, a one-yard run by Renel and Terleckyj's first of five PATs knotted the game at seven.

On Findlay's next drive, senior Daunte Akra (Detroit, Mich./Kettering) sacked quarterback John Soli for an eight-yard loss back to the UF three on a third-down play. On the first play from scrimmage following the punt, sophomore quarterback Mickey Mohner (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey) found senior wide receiver Ed Sanders (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) behind the Oiler secondary for a 52-yard touchdown pass. The yardage moved Sanders into 10th place on the WSU all-time receiving yards list. Sanders third touchdown of the season, was also his longest reception.

Following a three-and-out for Findlay, Wayne State drove 51 yards in 12 plays using five minutes on the clock to take a 21-7 lead. Junior running back Jordan Kidd (Milford, Mich.) carried four times for 14 yards on the drive including the final three yards for his first collegiate touchdown.

Findlay scored to pull within seven at 21-14 with an 11-play, 70-yard drive aided by a 21-yard personal foul penalty on WSU. Soli tossed a five-yard scoring pass to Steve Winner with just 0:46.5 seconds left before intermission.

Two receptions by junior wide receiver Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) of 25 and 21 yards moved the Warriors to the UF 34, but Mohner was intercepted at the 12 yard line.

Senior Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow) had a 28-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Renel had four carries, including his game-long 36-yard effort culminated in his 10-yard TD run on a second-and-four play. He also contributed a 19-yard reception on the drive.

With WSU leading 28-14, the Warrior defense stopped 1,000-yard rusher Monterae Williams for no gain on a fourth-and-one from the UF 49. Eight plays later following Terleckyj's 27-yard field goal, Wayne State had a 31-14 advantage.

Findlay's Cameron Stevens answered with a 48-yard field goal with 4:28 remaining in the third quarter. Following a Warrior punt, Stevens connected on a 25-yard field goal attempt after the Oilers had a first-and-goal from the seven.

Terleckyj nailed a career-best 48-yard field goal on the ensuing possession increasing WSU's lead to 34-20.

Zielaskiewicz hauled in a 21-yard scoring pass from Zach Tate on Findlay's next drive cutting the Warrior advantage to 34-27 with 7:20 left in the contest.

Wayne State responded with an 11-play, 50-yard drive with Terleckyj making his third field goal of the game, this time from 35-yards with 3:02 remaining.

On the kickoff return by Findlay's D. Trapps, junior Matt Maus (Muskegon, Mich./Orchard View) forced a fumble that classmate Myles McNichols (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) scooped up a raced 22 yards for WSU's 10th point in nine seconds, following Terleckyj's fifth PAT.

Findlay picked up one first down, but three straight incompletions turned the ball over on downs. Senior quarterback Zack George (Deshler, Ohio/Patrick Henry), playing 20 miles from his hometown, went under center for WSU and completed a 24-yard pass to freshman Dominique Maybanks (Muskegon, Mich) to run out the clock.

Wayne State will hear its post-season fate on Sunday.

Notes:

Renel had his fourth consecutive 100-yard game finishing with a game-high 115 yards on 25 carries, along with two touchdowns as the Warriors held a 161-125 advantage on the ground.

Mohner completed 17-of-31 passes for 251 yards and one score. Burrell, and UF's Zielaskiewicz, each finished with 101 receiving yards. Soli passed for 150 yards on 17-of-27 for the Oilers.

Renel totaled 207 all-purpose yards.

Eight different WSU players recorded at least four tackles in the game led by junior linebackers Zachary Easterl (Southfield, Mich./Cass Tech) and Jordan Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) with eight each.

Akra had 2.5 tackles for loss including 1.5 sacks.