Sept. 12, 2009

Final Stats

Indianapolis, Ind. - The Wayne State University football team (2-1 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) claimed a 27-23 victory in its road opener Saturday evening at the University of Indianapolis (1-2 overall, 0-2 GLIAC).

WSU senior running back Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.) recorded 209 all-purpose yards which included 182 rushing and 27 receiving. But his most spectacular play saved two points on the scoreboard for the Warriors.

Following a 53-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Zack George (Deshler, Ohio/Patrick Henry) to sophomore Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) cut the Greyhound lead to 14-12 with 5:35 left in the second period, George's two-point conversion pass was intercepted and the returner was tackled at the one-yard line (after a 99-yard return from the Indy goal line) by Bell.

UI's Jace Morrison made a 39-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first half giving the hosts a 17-12 advantage.

Wayne State, which had deferred after winning the opening coin toss, drove 70 yards on 14 plays to start the third period. Bell had 12 carries for 69 yards on the drive along with a reception for six yards. After the two-point conversion pass failed, WSU had an 18-17 lead.

Morrison connected on a 26-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing drive to put the hosts back in front at 20-18.

Sophomore Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) went 90-yards with Morrison's kickoff for his first collegiate touchdown and the seventh longest kickoff return for a touchdown in WSU history. WSU led 24-20 following a failed two-point conversion pass.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Morrison made a 25-yard field goal to pull the Greyhounds within one at 24-23.

WSU drove 36 yards on the ensuing drive with senior Anthony Morasso (Detroit, Mich./Harper Woods Notre Dame) connecting on a career-best 40-yard field goal with 11:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.

UIndy went 51 yards in 12 plays but Morrison's 39-yard field goal attempt was wide right.

The Warriors answered with a 37-yard drive but on fourth-and-one from the UI 40, George was stopped for no gain with 2:59 left.

A holding penalty on third-and-one was followed by an incompletion then a 13-yard reception by Stephen Geller from Rob Doyle on fourth down. After a Greyhound timeout, Doyle's second down pass was intercepted by sophomore Jeremy Jones (Rockford, Mich.) sealing WSU's third consecutive win at Key Stadium.

Wayne State returns home to face the Findlay Oilers. Kickoff on Sept. 19 at Adams Field is slated for noon.

Notes:

Bell had 31 carries for a game-high 182 yards, while UI's Halston Love rushed 22 times for 103 yards.

George completed 8-of-17 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown.