Wayne State Weekly Game Notes

• NMU GAME STORYLINES

A key mid-season match-up awaits Wayne State as the 3-1 Warriors host 3-1 Northern Michigan in the annual Wayne State Homecoming contest.

WSU is 2-1 in GLIAC play, just one game behind co-leaders NMU, Grand Valley, Michigan Tech and Ferris State.

This will be Wayne State's 74th Homecoming contest (37-35-1) and fifth against the Wildcats. 

• OHIO DOMINICAN RECAP

Wayne State recorded a 17-7 home field victory over the Ohio Dominican Panthers last Saturday afternoon at Adams Field.

Zach Easterly blocked an ODU punt on the game's first possession with Kenny Loney recovering at the Panther 29.

The Warriors used nine plays to cover the 29 yards with Jessie Johnson scoring his first collegiate touchdown on third-and-goal from the two. It was the third consecutive third-down conversion on the drive as Travis Campbell had a six-yard reception on a third-and-four from Mickey Mohner, and Toney Davis gained two yards on a third-and-one. Stefan Terleckyj added the PAT giving WSU a 7-0 lead.

Following a Panther punt to the WSU 12, the Warriors drove 73 yards in nine plays with Terleckyj connecting on a 33-yard field goal, a career-long with 2:32 left in the opening period. Josh Renel began the drive with a 49-yard run to cross midfield.

ODU's third drive also ended with a punt. Wayne State went 51 yards in seven plays but Terleckyj's 23-yard attempt from the right hash was just wide right. The big play on the drive was a 42-yard pass reception by Troy Burrell on third-and-seven from the WSU 46.

The Panthers put together their most successful drive of the opening half by going 52 yards in 12 plays, but Chris Vortkamp's 45-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright.

WSU drove deep into ODU territory but a fourth-down pass was intercepted at the Panther five.

Renel finished the first half with 108 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Ohio Dominican had 106 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes.

Wayne State took the second half kickoff and drove 66 yards in 10 plays with Renel scoring on a seven-yard scamper. The big play of the drive was an 11-yard Mohner to Renel pass play on a third-and-11 from the ODU 18.

After an ODU punt, the Warriors moved into ODU territory but a “interesting” holding penalty downfield negated a big play and a sack preceded WSU's only punt of the contest.

The Panthers drove 75 yards in eight plays with quarterback Billy Griffin scoring on a one-yard sneak. Vortkamp's PAT made it 17-7.

Renel took the ensuing short kickoff 29 yards to the ODU 46. Donald Brown had an 11-yard reception on a third-and-six, and two plays later Dominique Maybanks took a reverse into the end zone but another downfield holding penalty negated the touchdown. Wayne State continued driving but a fourth-and-goal from the one resulted in loss yardage.

• ON THE HEADSET

Wayne State's Paul Winters has a 30-38 record in his seventh year with the Warriors. WSU is 17-9 in its last 26 games. The Warriors are 18-16 in games at Adams Field under Winters including a 11-3 mark in the last 14 contests.

Northern Michigan's Bernie Anderson has compiled a 112-121 career record in his 24th year as a collegiate head coach.

• ALL-TIME SERIES

This will be the 25th meeting between Wayne State and Northern Michigan.

• SERIES NOTES

Wayne State trails 14-10 in the all-time series vs. Northern Michigan

The Warriors are 6-7 at home against the Wildcats, including a 2-3 mark in the last
five meetings in Detroit

Five of the last seven contests have been decided by five points or less

This will be NMU's fifth appearance as WSU's Homecoming opponent. WSU is 3-1

• SCOUTING NORTHERN MICHIGAN

The Wildcats have won three straight since a season-opening 7-6 setback at Minnesota State.

Quarterback Carter Kopach leads NMU in rushing yards (254), rushing TD's (5) and has completed 54-of-98 passes for 770 yards and eight touchdowns.

Dustin Brancheau has 17 catches for 212 yards and four scores, while Christian Mar-King has 16 receptions for 202 yards and one score.

Edwin Knoblock has a team-high 28 tackles, while Zach Anderson has 27 tackles including seven for loss.

• STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

Stan Thornton recorded his 14th career interception returning it six yards to become the second player in school history with over 300 interception return yards (Chuck Aldrich, 1979-82, 373).

Renel gained a game-high 190 yards (two shy of his career high) on 35 carries. WSU held a 265-132 advantage on the ground.

Mohner completed 15-of-23 passes for 183 yards, with six different players having receptions. Campbell had a career-best four receptions (for 45 yards), while Brown tied his career-high with four catches (for 52 yards).

Burrell extended his reception streak to 15 games with three catches for a game-high 58 yards.

Renel finished the game with 273 all-purpose yards (190 rushing, 16 receiving, 38 punt return, and 29 kickoff return). He needs 64 all-purpose yards to reach 2,000 for his career. Renel has already exceeded his previous high for all-purpose yards in a season at 810 (791 last year).

Wayne State compiled a 3-1 record in September for the third straight year and is 3-1 after four games for the fourth time in five seasons.

Easterly had two pass break-ups, a blocked punt and a team-best nine tackles against ODU.

The Warrior defense has held an opponent under 250 yards of total offense in three of the four games this season.

• 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.

This Saturday's game will be televised live on Comcast Channel 900 with Dave Zoran and Eric Pate calling the action and Joe Abramson serving as the sideline reporter.  The contest will also be replayed on Comcast Channel 900 on Tuesday, Oct. 5 (9:00 pm); Wednesday, Oct. 6 (9:00 am); Monday, Oct. 11 (Noon); Tuesday, Oct. 19 (9:00 pm), Wednesday, Oct. 20 (9:00 am) and Monday, Oct. 25 (noon).