Wayne State University Athletics

DETROIT - The Wayne State University football team (2-4 overall, 1-4 GLIAC) lost its third consecutive game falling 38-17 to the Grand Valley State Lakers on WSU Homecoming night Saturday at Tom Adams Field before the second largest crowd (5,377) in the 47-year history of Adams Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Midway through first quarter, the Warriors put together a productive 10-play, 74-yard drive that included a 17-yard pass from freshman D.J. Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.) to redshirt junior Jamel Hicks (East Cleveland, Ohio / Shaw) along with a 30-yard completion to redshirt senior Will Wheat (Grand Blanc, Mich.) moving WSU into the red zone.  The Warriors scored first on a 30-yard field goal from redshirt sophomore Paul Graham (Commerce Twp., Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's).
• At the start of the second quarter, the Lakers marched down the field to the one-yard line where a Bart Williams pass was intercepted in the corner of the end zone by redshirt sophomore James Howard (Detroit, Mich. / Chandler Park Academy) for a touchback.
• Wayne State drove 88 yards in 12 plays, culminating in a 29-yard touchdown reception by redshirt sophomore Manny Mendoza (Rochester Hills, Mich.) from Zezula that increased WSU's advantage to 10-0 late in the second quarter.
• The Lakers answered with a 10-play, 77-yard drive in 2:32 which resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Bart Williams to Matt Williams.
• Total offense was nearly even at intermission with GVSU holding a 206-200 edge.
• After a WSU punt on the opening drive of the third quarter, Grand Valley State went 24 yards in two plays with Bart Williams tossing a 16-yard scoring pass to Jamie Potts, which gave the visiting Lakers a 14-10 lead.
• The Warriors then fumbled the ensuing kickoff which GVSU recovered at the WSU 24.  Five plays later Grand Valley State took a 21-10 lead on an 11-yard run by Kirk Spencer.
• After Wayne State went three-and-out on the next possession, the Lakers scored on a 27-yard pass from Bart Williams to Nick Dodson finishing a 10-play, 66-yard drive.
• Grand Valley State completed its 35 consecutive points with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Bart Williams to Brandon Bean on the third play of the fourth period.
• Wayne State continued to battle and pulled within 35-17 on an 11-yard scamper by sophomore Demetrius Stinson (Detroit, Mich. / Douglass).
• After the touchdown, Wayne State succeeded in the onside-kick attempt and recovered the ball at Grand Valley State's 48-yardline. However, the Lakers recovered a fumble on a sack of Zezula at the WSU 44.
• With a little over two minutes to go in the game after the fumble recovery, GVSU concluded the scoring with a 27-yard field goal from Joel Schipper.

 
WARRIOR PLAYER TIDBITS

• Zezula (12-22) had 185 yards through the air with one touchdown and two interceptions.
• Redshirt sophomore Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) and Stinson had an equal amount of carries (11) for the game. They duo combined for 120 yards on the ground and one touchdown.
• Hicks led the team in receptions (six) and receiving yards (106).
• Redshirt junior linebacker Anthony DeDamos (Rockford, Mich.) set a career-high in solo tackles for a game with nine. His previous record was eight, which occurred last season vs. Hillsdale.

 
WARRIOR TEAM TIDBITS

• The Warriors made their first field goal of the season off the foot of Paul Graham.
• Wayne State has surrendered at least 31 points in each of the last three games.

 
THE FINAL STATISTICS

• Wayne State outrushed Grand Valley State, 108-101.
• GVSU held a 327 to 185 edge in passing yards.
• The Lakers led in total offense by a 428 to 293 margin.

 
UP NEXT

• The Warriors will be looking to snap their losing streak next week (October 17) against GLIAC foe Northern Michigan at Tom Adams Field. The game is set for a noon kickoff.