Link to Photo Gallery (by Tom Gorman)

DETROIT -- The 2010 Wayne State University football season began with questions surrounding who would run the ball in the post-Joique Bell era. The question was answered by junior Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) and redshirt freshman Toney Davis (Muskegon Hts., Mich/Muskegon) as the tandem rushed for 306 yards and four scores in WSU's 31-19 non-conference win over visiting Northwood University (0-1 overall) Saturday afternoon at Adams Field.

Not to be out-done, the Warrior defense limited the Timberwolves to 192 yards of total offense which included a goal line stand in the third quarter when WSU held an eight-point advantage (21-13).

The contest started auspiciously for Wayne State as Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) fumbled after a reception on the game's opening drive. Northwood went 52 yards in six plays with O'Neil Thomas scoring on a two-yard run before the game was four minutes old.

The Warriors rebounded on their next possession going 74 yards in 10 plays. Senior tight end Austin Hughes (Beverly Hills, Mich./Birmingham Groves) hauled in an 18-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Mickey Mohner (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey) for a first down in NU territory.

On a third-and-seven play, Mohner found junior tight end Greg Oberstaedt (Whitmore Lake, Mich.) for a 10 yard gain to the Northwood 25. Four runs by Renel included a three-yard scamper into the end zone. Freshman Stefan Terleckyj (Warren, Mich./Warren Mott) made his first collegiate extra point attempt to knot the game at seven.

Northwood drove into the red zone, but a botched hold on a field goal attempt kept the game tied. The teams exchanged fumbles on the ensuing possessions.

Following an interception, Northwood went 59 yards in three plays with quarterback Aaron Shavers rushing down the right sideline for 47 yards. The PAT kick by Pat Sijan was wide right giving NU a 13-7 lead.

The Warrior offense responded with a 15-play, 65-yard drive using 6:49 on the clock. WSU converted three third-down plays on the drive including a 12-yard pass from Mohner to Oberstaedt on a third-and-five near midfield. Renel notched his second touchdown of the game with a one-yard run five minutes before halftime.

WSU junior linebacker Nick Thomas (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) recovered a Timberwolves fumble at the Northwood 28. Three runs by Davis gained 16 yards. After an incompletion, Mohner connected with Burrell for nine yards on a third-and-seven. The second run by Davis resulted in his first career touchdown with just 67 seconds left before intermission.

Wayne State led 21-13 at halftime, despite Northwood out-rushing the hosts 140-138 in the first 30 minutes. However, the Warriors held a 108-0 advantage in passing yards.

After an exchange of punts to start the second half, the Warrior defense's goal line stand kept the lead at eight.

The WSU offense then drove 99 yards in 11 plays using over five minutes on the clock. Renel had five consecutive runs totaling 29 yards before Davis' five straight carries gained 23 yards, which included an 11-yard jaunt on fourth-and-one. On the very next play, Renel busted loose for 32 yards and his third score of the afternoon.

After each team punted, Northwood went 56 yards in eight plays to pull within nine at 28-19. Jordan Jonker scored on a two-yard run before the WSU defense stopped Shavers on a two-point attempt pass/run.

The game's final score came on a 23-yard field goal by Terleckyj concluding an eight-play, 36-yard drive.

Wayne State begins GLIAC play on Saturday, Sept. 11 with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Tiffin.

Notes:

The 63 rushing attempts by WSU was the fourth-most in school history.

Renel (192 yards) and Davis (114 yards) become first WSU running duo to go over 100 yards in the same game since Joique Bell (175) and Daryl Graham (141) at Ashland on Nov. 3, 2007.

Sixteen (16) players made their WSU debut: Chet Privett, Ed Viverette, Cortez Smith, Toney Davis, Dominique Maybanks, Steve Conway, Kevin Buford-Wilson, Will Gardner, Antwon Robinson, Jessie Johnson, Stefan Terleckyj, Andrew Matt, Sean McCarthy, David Burnley, Mike Laamanen and Craig Miller. Terleckyj was the only true freshman to see action.

Renel rushed for 165 yards last season (and career) and finished with a game-high 192 yards on 27 carries with three touchdowns.

Davis rushed 29 times for 114 yards and one score in his collegiate debut.

Mohner completed 11-of-18 for 112 yards with seven different receivers having a reception.

Zack George made his punting debut and averaged 37 yards on two attempts.

Renel finished with 218 all-purpose yards.

WSU out-rushed Northwood 329-164, and recorded a 112 to 28 advantage in passing yards which resulted in 441 to 192 difference in total offense.

Wayne State had a significant edge in time of possession (37:42 to 22:18).