DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (3-2 overall, 2-2 GLIAC) had its three-game winning streak snapped with a 26-23 defeat to visiting Tiffin University (3-2 overall, 3-2 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at Tom Adams Field.

Despite the Warrior offense only generating 79 yards of total offense through the first 25 minutes, WSU trailed just 6-0 on a pair of 31-yard Dragon field goals by Tomislav Derezic.  Following a missed 38-yard field goal attempt by Derezic, Wayne State drove 79 yards in nine plays to grab a 7-6 halftime advantage after a 12-yard touchdown run by senior Desmond Martin (Redford, Mich. / Thurston).  The Warriors accumulated five of their eight first half first downs on the scoring drive.  Junior Carl Roscoe (Kentwood, Mich. / Kelloggsville) had a 30-yard completion to junior wideout Jamel Hicks (East Cleveland, Ohio / Shaw) on a second-and-10 allowing WSU to score the go-ahead touchdown two plays later.

Tiffin returned the second half kickoff a total of 34 yards including a reverse.  On the first play from scrimmage, TU signal caller Antonio Pipkin found Marcus Beaurem alone down the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown reception.  The Dragons tried some trickery on the PAT but a pitchout from the center to Jerry Brown was mishandled with Warrior Nores Fradi (Dearborn Heights, Mich. / Dearborn) picking up the ball at the WSU 11.  Fradi returned the ball to the Warrior 38 before giving a lateral to Gerren DuHart (Toledo, Ohio / Central Catholic) who took it the final 62 yards for Wayne State's first defensive extra point in nearly 10 years (Earl Carruthers scored a defensive extra point at Michigan Tech on October 9, 2004 -- Grant Botz kick attempt failed (blocked), returned by Earl Carruthers for defensive PAT, clock 04:55 (blocked by Jason LeDuc).

On the ensuing possession with WSU trailing 12-9, the Warriors drove across midfield but a five-yard completion to Ethan Walsh (Canton, Mich. / Salem) on a third-and-six preceded a no gain rush on fourth down.

Tiffin proceeded to drive 58 yards in five plays to increase its lead to 19-9.  Charles Holland hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Pipkin.

After an exchange of punts, Wayne State turned it over on downs following three consecutive incomplete deep passes.  However, on the very next play, a shotgun snap never made it to Pipkin, with WSU senior defensive tackle Sam Sillmon (Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King) recovering at the Dragon 26.

Senior quarterback Doug Griffin (North Branch, Mich.) gained eight yards on first down, and following a dropped pass, Martin garnered the first down with a four-yard carry.  On the first play of the fourth quarter, Griffin went 15 yards for his fourth touchdown in the last two games.

The Warrior defense forced a three-and-out, but a short punt into the wind was mishandled by the WSU returner and the Dragons recovered at the WSU 49.  Eight plays later the visitors had increased their advantage to 26-16 on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Pipkin to Beaurem.

Wayne State responded with a seven-play, 59-yard scoring drive to pulling with three (26-23) with 6:15 remaining.  Griffin carried the ball five times on the drive for 56 yards going untouched around the left side for the final 15 yards.

WSU's defense rose to the occasion and forced a three-and-out, but the Warrior offense took a sack on the first play and had to punt.

Once again the defense answered by forcing the Dragons into minus nine yards on three plays and into another punt.  However, Wayne State's offense had two incomplete passes, a sack and an incomplete pass to turn the ball over on downs with 1:16 remaining.

Wayne State will play four of its next five games on the road with the lone contest at Tom Adams Field on Saturday, October 25 vs. Walsh.  The Warriors will play a 7 p.m. game at Grand Valley State next Saturday (Oct. 11).