Wayne State Football Weekly Notes

• MICHIGAN TECH GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State is 2-0 for the first time since the 1976 squad started 3-0.

The Warriors have outscored their two opponents this year by a combined 94-33, and have out-rushed the opposition 616-191.

This will be the first contest between WSU and MTU in more than three years (Sept. 1, 2007).

• TIFFIN RECAP

Wayne State recorded the second-most points in a game in school history with a 63-14 triumph at Tiffin University last Saturday.

On Nov. 20, 1937, Wayne University defeated Hillsdale, 65-0, to conclude a 6-2 season under the legendary Joseph Gembis. WU defeated Akron (19-13), Louisville (32-0), Central Michigan (18-0), Eastern Michigan (7-0) and Buffalo (23-6) prior to the contest against the Chargers.

The Warriors scored a school-record 42 points in the second quarter against the Dragons to blow open a 7-0 WSU lead after 15 minutes.

After a Kenny Loney interception near midfield, WSU drove 49 yards in seven plays with Josh Renel scoring from six yards out midway through the opening period.

The Warriors started their second scoring drive late in the first quarter with Toney Davis scoring on a one-yard plunge to cap a nine-play drive.

Daunte Akra blocked a Tiffin field goal attempt on the ensuing drive, and two plays later Mickey Mohner connected with Troy Burrell for a 65-yard touchdown pass.

On the Dragons' first play from scrimmage on the ensuing possession, Stan Thornton returned his 13th career interception 44 yards for WSU's fourth TD of the contest and third score in less than three minutes.

Renel and Davis each had scoring runs on WSU's next two drives.  Davis completed the 42-point quarter with a TD run late in the stanza.

Tiffin marched 65 yards with the second half kickoff to make it 49-14.

Renel took the ensuing kickoff 69 yards, which led to his three-yard touchdown run.

Following Antwon Robinson's first of two interceptions, Zack George tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to Danny McKae to complete the scoring with 4:33 left in the third period.  It was McKae's first collegiate touchdown.

Davis rushed 14 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns to lead a Warrior offense that rushed 53 times for 287 yards. Renel gained 84 yards on 18 carries.

Mohner completed 7-of-13 passes for 164 yards and one score.  Burrell recorded his first collegiate 100-yard receiving game with five receptions for 131 yards.

WSU held a 461-223 advantage in total offense, limiting the Dragons to 27 rushing yards on 31 attempts.

Nick Thomas had a team-high seven tackles along with a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.  Akra had three tackles for loss including one of four WSU sacks.

• IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected eighth in the 2010 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Michigan Tech was tabbed for ninth.

The Warriors are also receiving votes in this week's AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll and are ranked 33rd.

• WARRIOR ALL-ACCESS

Streaming video of Wayne State's home football games is available via Warrior All-Access for $5.95 per game, while a WSU Monthly All-Access Pass is available for $9.95.

• ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 29-37 record in his seventh year with the Warriors.  WSU is 16-8 in its last 24 games.  The Warriors are 3-3 in their last six road contests.

Michigan Tech's Tom Kearly has compiled a 23-20 record in his fifth year with the Huskies.

• ALL-TIME SERIES

WSU leads 16-5 in the all-time series which began in 1967.  The Warriors are 8-3 in Houghton, having won three of the last five meetings at Sherman Field.
 
• SCOUTING MICHIGAN TECH

The Huskies outscored host Lake Erie 21-0 in the second half of a 42-13 triumph in Painesville, Ohio, last Saturday.

Phil Milbrath rushed 18 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns.  MTU did not have a negative rushing play the entire game.

Steve Short completed 19-of-30 for 208 yards and a touchdown to Milbrath.  Akeem Cason added an 89-yard kickoff return, which put the Huskies ahead for good.

Ben Foelker had a team-high nine tackles (7-2), while both Ian Coughlin and Mike Rittenour had interceptions.

• STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

Wayne State starts the year 2-0 for the first time since 1976. That year the Tartars won at RFK Stadium (31-14 over Howard) and 29-0 against Northwood, before going 3-0 with a 16-9 triumph at Valparaiso.

WSU set a school mark last Saturday by scoring 42 points in the second quarter in a span of 12:41. Included in the scoring barrage were 21 points in a span of 2:48 (12:53-10:05 on the clock).

Renel tied for the sixth-longest non-scoring kickoff return in school history with his 69-yard runback in the third quarter.

Stefan Terleckyj set a school mark by making all nine PAT attempts. Only twice has a place-kicker made eight PAT in a game (Dick Lisabeth on Oct. 27, 1951 vs. Omaha, and Robert Guindi vs. Northwood on Oct. 27, 1979).

Renel also had his second consecutive three-TD game, while Davis had his second straight 100-yard game.
Thornton, who wears No. 13, recorded his 13th career interception and took it 44 yards for WSU's fourth touchdown of the game, and his third career interception return for a TD.

Thornton is second in career interception return yards with 296.  Chuck Aldrich (1979-82) has the school record at 373.

• THIS AND THAT

All Wayne State football games can be heard on WDTK Radio (1400 AM).  Fans can also listen to all WSU football games online at wdtkam.com.