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DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (2-2 overall, 2-1 GLIAC) evened improved to 2-0 at home with a come-from-behind 38-27 triumph over visiting Malone University (0-4 overall, 0-3 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at Adams Field.

The Warrior defense started the contest strong forcing the Pioneers to a three-and-out, followed by a 15-yard punt giving WSU outstanding field position at the MU 25.  Six consecutive carries by senior running back Toney Davis (Muskegon Hts., Mich./Muskegon) netted 25 yards and Davis' 46th career rushing touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Malone drove 79 yards in nine plays with sophomore running back Justin Davis garnering the final two yards run to cap the scoring drive which was aided by a roughing the passer penalty.

Wayne State responded with an eight-play drive that covered 49 yards and concluded with a 30-yard field goal by senior Stefan Terleckyj (Warren, Mich./Mott).

The Pioneers held a 124-74 advantage in total offense in the first quarter but trailed 10-7.

On the first play of the second period, Davis scored on a 10-yard scamper but the extra-point kick was wide giving Malone a 13-10 lead.

Following a 48-yard Terleckyj punt, Malone went 71 yards in 12 playing using 6:07 on the clock with Bryce Pratt scoring on a 1-yard jaunt to put the Pioneers in front 20-10 with 6:25 remaining before halftime.

The Warrior offense using three first-time starters (offensive guard Sawyer McFadden, tight end Nathan White and quarterback Sean Guinane) responded with a 15-play, 66-yard drive that used 6:08 on the clock.  After Guinane directed the first three drives, junior Doug Griffin (North Branch, Mich.) moved WSU down the field converting three third-down plays with Davis scoring on a one-yard up the middle plunge with just 19 seconds left before intermission.

Malone again held the total offense advantage for the second 15-minute stanza by a 124-74 margin.

Wayne State took the second half kickoff and marched 77 yards in 13 plays using 6:39 on the clock to take the lead for good on a 14-yard run around the right end by junior tailback Desmond Martin (Redford, Mich./Thurston).

On Malone's first possession of the third quarter, tight end Ricarlo Bell caught a pass but freshman cornerback James Hendrix (Livonia, Mich./Brother Rice) forced a fumble which was recovered by freshman safety Valorian Cunningham (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix).

Four plays later, WSU increased its lead to 31-20 as junior signal caller Sean Guinane (St. Joseph, Mich.) scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown on a nine-yard scramble on second-and-goal.

Following a punt by Malone, Wayne State started inside its 10-yard line but fumbled following a second down completion with Malone recovering at the Warrior 17.

The Pioneers pulled within four points (31-27) on a five-yard touchdown pass from Will Szpor to Bell with 1:03 remaining in the third period.

Wayne State had a 144-53 advantage during the third quarter in total offense.  Toney Davis also reached the 100-yard rushing mark for the 16th time in his career during the third stanza.

Following the kickoff return to the WSU 35 by redshirt freshman Brandon Tinsley (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King), the Warrior offense drove 65 yards in six plays with Martin scoring his second rushing touchdown of the contest, a career-best.

The Wayne State defense held on the next possession as Szpor rushed for six yards on a fourth-and-seven near midfield, but the Warriors returned the favor on a fourth-down incomplete pass at the MU 20.

Malone failed to convert on fourth down on its next drive and WSU ran out the clock behind the running of seniors Jay Hayes (Goodell, Mich./Memphis) and Jeff Williams (Detroit, Mich./Romulus).

The Warriors held a 324-182 margin in rushing yards as Toney Davis gained a game-high 125 yards, while Martin contributed 89 yards.  Both WSU tailbacks had two rushing touchdowns.

Justin Davis led MU with 76 yards on 13 carries with two scores as well.

Guinane completed 4-of-6 for 37 yards, with Griffin contributing a 5-of-6 for 32 yards in the Warrior passing game.  Junior wide receiver Michael Johnson (Detroit, Mich./Clintondale) and sophomore tight end Ethan Walsh (Canton, Mich./Salem) each had three receptions.  Senior Dominique Maybanks (Muskegon, Mich.) extended his reception streak to 18 games with a 13-yard catch.

Pratt led Malone with three receptions and 32 receiving yards.

WSU junior linebacker Steve O'Shell (Sterling Hts., Mich./Warren De La Salle), making his second start of the season, totaled a team-best 10 tackles including a sack.  Cunningham added six tackles and a fumble recovery, while junior cornerback Gerren DuHart (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) contributed six tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

Malone defensive back Demarco Donaldson recorded a game-best 19 tackles.

Wayne State will play at home again next Saturday, Oct. 5, with a noon kickoff against Northwood as the Warriors begin GLIAC North Division play.