Marquette, Mich. -- The Wayne State University football team improved to 5-0 overall (4-0 GLIAC) with a 30-28 victory at Northern Michigan (3-2 overall, 2-2 GLIAC) in the Wildcats Homecoming game.

It was WSU's third consecutive Homecoming game victory having defeated Michigan Tech two weeks ago in Detroit, and posting a triumph at Ohio Dominican's Homecoming last Saturday in Columbus.

The Warriors raced out to a 24-0 lead in the games first 20 minutes thanks to some big plays both offensively and on special teams.

Sophomore James Jackson (Grand Ledge, Mich.) took the opening kickoff 90 yards, his second kickoff return for a touchdown this season, to give the guests a 7-0 lead just 11 seconds into the contest.

Following an NMU punt, the Warriors drove 49 yards in 10 plays with Stefan Terleckyj (Warren, Mich./Warren Mott) connecting on a 33-yard field goal making it 10-0.

After an exchange of punts, the Wildcats drove near midfield but sophomore safety Antwon Robinson (Southfield, Mich.) picked off NMU signal caller Carter Kopach.  WSU took advantage and drove 57 yards in 10 plays with Toney Davis (Muskegon Hts., Mich./Muskegon) scoring on a three-yard run on the first play of the second quarter.

Wayne State snuffed out an NMU fake punt on the ensuing drive and capitalized on a one-yard scoring run by Chet Privett (Sterling Hts., Mich./Warren De La Salle) capping off a six-play, 30-yard drive.

Kopach then tossed two scoring passes in a span of four seconds (9:00 & 8:56) as the Warriors misplayed the kickoff following Julian Gaines 20-yard TD catch.  Christian Jessie followed with a 19-yard TD reception.

Terleckyj completed the first half scoring with a 34-yard field goal with seven seconds left before intermission.

Midway through the third quarter, a fumble by WSU running back Desmond Martin (Redford, Mich./Thurston) ws recovered by NMU at the WSU 28.  Three plays later, the Wildcats had cut the Warrior advantage to six at 27-21 following Kopach's third TD pass of the contest.

Terleckyj answered back with a 36-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining in the third stanza.  The three-pointer would prove to be crucial in the game's final outcome.

After a Wildcat punt was downed at the WSU one, the Warriors drove 82 yards but a questionable fourth down spot ended the drive on downs.  A key play on the drive was a 56-yard reception by Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) on a second-and-eight.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Terleckyj's 25-yard attempt from the left hash just missed wide left.

After an exchange of punts, senior safety Jeremy Jones (Grand Rapids, Mich./Rockford) intercepted Kopachbut Davis lost a fumble on the very next play.

NMU drove 70 yards and following the PAT had cut the Wayne State lead to 30-28.  The Wildcats recovered the onside kick with 47 seconds left.  Three straight incompletions by Kopach including a nice break-up by junior cornerback Aaron Cornett (South Lyon, Mich.) on second down resulted in a fourth-and-10 from the NMU 42.  Jones came through the line of scrimmage and batted down Kopach's pass.

Wayne State outrushed Northern Michigan 177-8, but the Wildcats held a 293-233 edge in passing yards.

Davis had 146 yards on 36 carries, while Mickey Mohner completed 15-of-28 for 233 yards.

Prince Young led NMU with 38 yards on 11 attempts, with Kopach passing for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-44 with three interceptions.

Burrell had a game-high 169 receiving yards on eight catches.  Gaines (116 yards) and Christian Marble-King (129 yards) each had over 100 receiving yards for NMU.

The Warriors return home for a noon kickoff against Lake Erie College on Oct. 8.