DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (3-1 overall, 2-1 GLIAC) recorded its 10th consecutive Homecoming victory by dispatching visiting Northwood University (2-2 overall, 1-2 GLIAC) 45-27 Saturday afternoon at Tom Adams Field.

It took the Warriors just 2:22 to grab a 7-0 advantage on a five-play, 58 yard drive set up by a 37-yard kickoff return by senior Val Showers (Detroit, Mich. / Crockett).  On WSU's second play from scrimmage, junior quarterback Carl Roscoe (Kentwood, Mich. / Kelloggsville) connected on a 36-yard pass play with sophomore Brandon Tinsley (Detroit, Mich. /Martin Luther King).  On a second-and-goal, senior signal caller Doug Griffin (North Branch, Mich.) went up the middle for two yards and his first touchdown of the season.

On Wayne State's ensuing drive, Roscoe was intercepted and on the very next play, NU's Mark Morris teamed up with Theron Wilson on a 31-yard touchdown pass to knot the game at 7-7.

The Warriors put together a 14-play drive covering 75 yards that began following the Timberwolves kickoff.  WSU recorded five first downs with the longest play being a 10-yard run by Griffin on a second-and-nine.  Griffin capped off the scoring drive with a five-yard run on the first play of the second quarter.  Paul Graham (Commerce Twp., Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) made the PAT putting Wayne State ahead 14-7.

On Northwood's third play, Morris was sacked by senior defensive end Justice Akuezue (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron) who also forced a fumble that was recovered by classmate Sam Sillmon (Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King) at the Timberwolves 35.  Roscoe completed a 34-yard sideline pass to senior running back Desmond Martin (Redford, Mich. / Thurston) on the first play, and after Martin was stopped for no gain, Griffin notched a career-high third rushing touchdown on the very next play.

Just past the midpoint of the second stanza, WSU took possession following an NU punt.  Griffin gained 15 yards on first down, while Martin added 18 yards on four carries sandwiched around another Griffin rushing attempt.  With a third-and-five at the Northwood 29, senior running back Jay Hayes (Goodell, Mich. / Memphis) gained six yards for a first down, then scampered 23 yards for his first career rushing touchdown on the very next play increasing the Warrior advantage to 28-7.

Following another NU punt, Wayne State drove 45 yards in seven plays with Roscoe completing all five pass attempts for 50 yards.  Big receptions came from senior Michael Johnson (Detroit, Mich. / Clintondale) for 19 yards, and Tinsley for 14 yards.  With the clock winding down, Graham made good on a 37-yard field goal attempt pushing the WSU lead to 31-7 at intermission.

Northwood scored first after halftime following a fumbled punt return by the Warriors.  Morris found Damian Nicholson for a 19-yard touchdown on the first play after the Wayne State miscue.  On WSU's ensuing drive, a fourth down snap was mishandled giving the Timberwolves the ball at the WSU 13.  Following a tackle for loss by Akuezue, Morris completed a 16-yard scoring toss to Nicholson cutting the Wayne State advantage to 31-21.

The Warriors responded with a seven-play drive that covered 64 yards and used over three minutes of clock time.  Johnson had a 14-yard reception on second-and-10, and later Roscoe scrambled for 12 yards and then gained a first down by rushing for eight yards on a second-and-seven.  Johnson extended his touchdown receiving streak to four games by hauling in a 29-yard pass from Roscoe on a second-and-12.

Freshman Ron Brant (Uniontown, Ohio / Green) had a 14-yard punt return to start Wayne State's next drive.  On and second-and-10 from the Warrior 45, Martin tip-toed down the sidelines for a 55-yard touchdown run.  It was the third consecutive week he had a run of at least 45 yards.

The WSU defense stopped back-to-back fourth down plays by Northwood early in the fourth quarter before the Timberwolves tacked on a touchdown in the final 3:30 to complete the scoring.

Martin rushed for a game-high 118 yards and one touchdown, while Hayes added a career-high 70 yards on 11 attempts.  Griffin gained 51 yards in recording a career-best three rushing touchdowns.  Jared Briguglio rushed 15 times for 91 yards for Northwood.

Roscoe was 13-of-21 for 191 yards and one touchdown, and was not sacked.  Morris finished 16-of-30 for 217 yards and four touchdowns, along with being sacked three times.

Johnson led WSU with four catches for 69 yards, while Nicholson totaled game-best marks of nine receptions for 82 yards and three scores.

Senior linebacker Nores Fradi (Dearborn Hts., Mich. / Dearborn) led the Warrior defense with nine solo tackles including three for loss along with a pass break-up.  Freshman defensive end Jake Carrizales (Hamler, Ohio / Patrick Henry) had two sacks and forced a fumble, while freshman James Howard (Detroit, Mich. / Chandler Park Academy) had two pass break-ups.

Wayne State will complete its stretch of four home games in five weeks to start the season next week with a noon kickoff against the Tiffin Dragons.