WSU Weekly Game Notes

• TIFFIN GAME STORYLINES

Wayne State will try and go 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 1976 this Saturday at Tiffin.

WSU is 4-0 all-time against the Dragons including a 38-8 triumph in Ohio on Sept. 26, 2009. The Warriors have a 136-34 scoring edge in the all-time series.

• NORTHWOOD RECAP

Wayne State won its season opener for the third consecutive year and fourth time in the last five seasons.

The season began with questions surrounding who would run the ball in the post-Joique Bell era. The question was answered by junior Josh Renel and redshirt freshman Toney Davis as the tandem rushed for 306 yards and four scores in WSU's 31-19 non-conference win over visiting Northwood.

Not to be out-done, the Warrior defense limited the NU 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 with WSU losing a fumble on the game's opening drive. Northwood went 52 yards in six plays with O'Neil Thomas scoring on a two-yard run.

The Warriors rebounded on their next possession going 74 yards in 10 plays. On a third-and-seven play, Mohner found junior tight end Greg Oberstaedt for a 10-yard gain to the Northwood 25. Four runs by Renel included a three-yard scamper into the end zone.

Northwood went 59 yards in three plays with quarterback Aaron Shavers rushing down the right sideline for 47 yards giving NU a 13-7 lead after the PAT kick was wide right.

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

WSU junior linebacker Nick Thomas recovered a Timberwolves fumble at the Northwood 28. Davis concluded the drive with his first career touchdown just 67 seconds 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.

The game's final score came on a 23-yard field goal by WSU freshman Stefan Terleckyj.

• IN THE POLLS

Wayne State was selected eighth in the 2010 GLIAC pre-season coaches' poll, while Tiffin was tabbed for 12th.

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

• WARRIOR ALL-ACCESS

Streaming video of Wayne State's home football games are 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 28-37 record in his seventh year with the Warriors.  WSU is 15-8 in its last 23 games.  The Warriors are looking to snap a three-game road losing skein, since last year's victory at Tiffin.

Tiffin's Dave Walkosky has compiled a 2-21 record in his third year with the Dragons.

• ALL-TIME SERIES

WSU leads 4-0 in the all-time series which began in 1986.  The Warriors are 2-0 at Tiffin, out-scoring the hosts 61-10.

• SERIES NOTES

• Wayne State leads 4-0 in the all-time series

• WSU is 2-0 at Tiffin including last year's 38-8 victory

• The 2008 meeting in Detroit was the first in the series since 1987

• Wayne State had 408 yards of total offense in last year's meeting

• Stan Thornton had a 73-yard blocked field goal return for a TD in 2009

• SCOUTING TIFFIN

The Dragons ended a 19-game losing streak with a 31-21 triumph over Malone last Saturday.

Quarterback Nate Scully completed 18-of-25 passes for 253 yards and two scores.  Trey Williams had a team-high nine receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. David McKnight rushed for 85 yards and one score.

Mike Virgin grabbed two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.  He also had a team-high nine tackles (6-3).  Kody David recorded three tackles for loss including two sacks.

• STRICTLY BY THE NUMBERS

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 Bell (175) and Daryl Graham (141) at Ashland on Nov. 3, 2007.

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

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.

WSU out-rushed Northwood 329-164, and recorded a 112 to 28 advantage in passing yards which resulted in a 441 to 192 difference in total offense. Wayne State had a significant edge in time of possession (37:42 to 22:18).

Renel has 41 career punt returns and will tie George Crawford (1965-68) for fifth place with his next return.  Renel needs two punt return yards to pass Sterling Walker (1999-01) for sixth place.

Stan Thornton will tie Matt Didio (1981-83) for seventh place with his next interception.  Thornton is second in career interception return yards with 252.  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.