Football | 8/31/2015 5:00:00 PM

DETROIT -- The long wait is over as football season returns on Sept. 3 as the Wayne State University football team travels to battle #28 Michigan Tech in Houghton, Mich. The Warriors enter with a four-game winning streak but look to avenge a one-point loss in 2014 on a last-second field goal from the Huskies. MTU lost just two games last season including just one GLIAC defeat. The last two games between WSU and MTU have been decided by a touchdown or less.

SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
Coach Tom Kearly had to be pleased with the results of the 2014 campaign at Michigan Tech. Certainly, posting a 9-2 mark that was yet another winning season had to be satisfying enough.  But, making the playoffs may well have been the season's calling card as it was Kearly's first berth with the team, and the school's first in 10 years. The nine wins tied the school record for victories in a season.

So, what does Tech do for an encore?  Much of that could be dictated by how well the Huskies are able to retool their offense.  Tyler Scarlett's name is emblazoned throughout the QB record books at Tech, including graduating as the school's all-time leading passer.  His most likely successor may prove to be his favorite target from last year, Brandon Cowie.  Cowie led the team in receiving, but was actually recruited to Tech as a quarterback.  As camp opened, he appeared to have the edge to take over running the offense.  He'll have help in his new role as both of his fellow receiving leaders from last year return in Andrew Clark and Aaron Root, and TE Ian Weinke is also expected back.  Leading rusher Charlie Leffingwell has graduated, but understudy Kevin Miller saw plenty of action a year ago and sophomore Johnny Williams could vie for time as well.

Despite losing a couple of top-end corners, the Tech defense should once again be more than solid.  Five of the top six tacklers return from a unit that was third in the GLIAC in points allowed (19.6 per game) last season, including three seniors that will dominate the middle:  tackle Tanner Agan, LB Paul Kuoppala, and safety Brett Gervais.  Kuoppoala was second on the team in tackles only to Gervais, and Agan was second on the team in both sacks and tackles-for-loss a year ago.  This trio should be the bedrock for a defense that may need to carry the load early as the offense retools and replaces a few key pieces.

With Coach Kearly having posted winning records in eight of his nine seasons, the track record certainly points to Tech once again being a competitive bunch in 2015.  It'll be interesting to see how he is able to develop the QB and RB positions and whether the heavy travel schedule late in the year takes any kind of a toll on the Huskies. (Courtesy of Tony Nicolette).

100 GLIAC WINS
With its next conference victory, Wayne State will collect its 100th GLIAC win. WSU has been a part of the GLIAC from 1975 until 1989, and currently since 1999.

TEAM CAPTAINS
Prior to a scrimmage on August 22, head coach Paul Winters selected his captains for the 2015 season. The 2015 WSU captains will be senior quarterback Carl Roscoe, senior safety Zak Bielecki, senior tight end Ethan Walsh and senior defensive end Ashawn Butler. All four are first-year captains. Prior to the announcement of the 2015 captains, nine previous WSU captains spoke about their time in Detroit:  Leit Jones (1967-69), Tom Sheppard (1967-70), Enrico Odorico (1961-63), Ed Skowneski (1972-75), Tom Hurley (1972-75), Dale Dwojakowski (1989-92), Grant Fodor (2003-06), Leo Wells (2002-05), Frank Lietke (2004-07) and Steve Lee (1988-91).

NATION'S LONGEST WINNING STREAKS
WSU is tied for the fifth longest winning streak, and longest in the GLIAC entering 2015 at four games:  Colorado State-Pueblo (9), Azusa Pacific (9), Mercyhurst (7), McKendree (5), Wayne State (4), Gannon (4), Northern State (4), Chadron State (4), Tusculum (4) and Concordia-St. Paul (4).

WARRIOR SMARTS
Wayne State had 26 student-athletes receive Academic All-GLIAC honors for Fall 2014 including two senior captains (Thom Box and Ben Walker) who were honored for the fourth time.  Three-time honorees on the 2015 squad include Zak Bielecki, Carl Roscoe, Mike Sawchuk, Nate Theaker and Ethan Walsh.

QUICK STARTS
Over the last seven years (2008-14), WSU is 23-7 in August and September while never posting losing month during that stretch. WSU is 2-0 in August (wins in 2008 and 2009) and 21-7 in September (4-0 in 2011, 3-1 on five occasions, and 2-2 in 2013). WSU is 16-15 in October (4-1 in 2010, 3-1 in 2008, 3-2 in 2011, 2-2 in 2012, 2-3 in 2009, and 1-3 in both 2013 and 2014) and 9-8 in November (3-0 in 2014, 2-0 in 2010, 3-1 in 2011, 1-1 in 2008, 0-1 in 2009, 0-2 in 2012, and 0-3 in 2013). Additionally, the Warriors are 2-1 in December (all in 2011).

SEASON PREVIEW
WSU returns 45 letterwinners and 12 starters including seven on the offensive side of the ball.  Fifth-year seniors Carl Roscoe (quarterback), Ethan Walsh (tight end) and Nate Theaker (offensive line) will help lead an offense that averaged nearly 33 points and 400 yards of total offense per game last season.  Theaker, junior tight end Trent Brodbeck and Walsh each received All-GLIAC accolades in 2014.  Last year, WSU produced its ninth 1,000-yard running back in the last 10 seasons as Desmond Martin (now of the Detroit Lions) rushed for 1,578 and 16 touchdowns.  Even though Martin and fellow senior Jay Hayes have graduated, the cupboard is not bare in the Warriors backfield.  Sophomores Romello Brown and Demetrius Stinson along with redshirt freshman Deiontae Nicholas and senior Rabeah Beydoun will share the workload.  WSU returns four of its top six receivers (in terms of receptions) from year ago in Brodbeck, Walsh and wideouts Jamel Hicks and Brandon Tinsley. Sophomore Paul Graham had a solid redshirt freshman campaign in 2014 earning All-GLIAC and All-Region honors.  Graham averaged 37.9 yards per punt with 13 inside the 20, was 14-of-15 on field goals and 42-of-43 on extra points.

Wayne State returns just five starters defensively but should be solid in the secondary with three fifth-year senior starters in safeties Zak Bielecki and Jamiil Williams along with cornerback Brandon Lee.  James Howard and Lairren Johnson are battling to replace All-League performer Gerren DuHart at the other cornerback spot.  Junior Anthony DeDamos anchors the linebacking corps with classmates Valorian Cunningham and Idris Hobdy.  Sophomore defensive end Jake Carrizales earned All-Conference recognition in 2014 and will be joined by three seniors in Raafat El Hage, Ashawn Butler and Derrick Rodgers on the defensive line.

The Warriors have two home games in September and three in October including the first night Homecoming Game in Adams Field history on Oct. 10 vs. Grand Valley State.  WSU will host Lake Erie on Nov. 7 before concluding the regular season at Hillsdale on Nov. 14.

PRESEASON POLLS
WSU was predicted to finish third in the North Division when the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll was announced in August. The Warriors received 33 points while Ferris State (49) and Grand Valley State (41) were chosen as the top two teams in the North. Ohio Dominican (36) was tabbed the South Division preseason favorite. In the AFCA Coaches Poll, the Green & Gold were receiving votes and tied for 40th with 12 points. Michigan Tech ranked 28th with 64 points, while Truman State was tied for 44th with six points. Other notable names in the national poll were Ferris State (6th), Ohio Dominican (8th), Grand Valley State (24th) and Ashland (30th).

WINNING WHEN EXECUTING
WSU has won its last six games when rushing for over 200 yards. During the past four season, the Warriors are 16-4 when accomplishing the feat including an 8-1 mark on the road. The only loss in that span came at Michigan Tech in 2013 (28-21). Under Coach Winters, the Green & Gold are 35-13 under those parameters including a 20-6 mark at home.

RETURNING ALL-GLIAC PERFORMERS
Of the 15 All-GLIAC selections from 2014, six are returning in First Team honorees Nate Theaker (offensive line) and Trent Brodbeck (tight end), Second Team selections of Paul Graham (kicker/punter) and Jake Carrizales (defensive end) and two who were named to the Honorable Mention Team in Zak Bielecki (safety) and Ethan Walsh (tight end).

2015 SIGNING CLASS
The 30 NLI signees for 2015 marks the second largest class in Paul Winters 12 years at WSU.  The only larger signing class was in 2012 (31).

CONSISTENT LEADER
Paul Winters will become the second-longest tenured football coach in program history this fall with 12 seasons.  He is currently tied with the founder of WSU athletics David Holmes.  Hall of Fame coach Joseph Gembis holds the WSU record with 14 seasons (1932-45).

STAFF CONTINUITY
The football coaching staff will enter the 2015 season with several names that have been with the program for a number of years. Along with Winters entering his 12th season, defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Scott Kazmierski will also be beginning his 12th season with the Green & Gold. Linebackers coach Keith McKenzie is in his eighth season, offensive line coach Scott Wooster is in his seventh season, defensive coordinator and secondary coach Brad Wilson is in his fourth season and quarterbacks coach Jeff Reardon is in his third season with the Warriors. E.J. Henderson returns to the program after serving three years previously (2004-06).

MODEL OF SUCCESS
Wayne State has compiled at least a .500 season in six of the last seven years combining for a 50-31 mark in that span.  Prior to Coach Winters arrival in 2004, The Tartars/Warriors had 10 consecutive losing seasons on the field and only one winning season on the field in 19 years.

ALL SIX HOME GAMES TELEVISED
All six of Wayne State's home games will be broadcast on Comcast Xfinity Channel 900.  The broadcast team of Joe Abramson, Rod Beard and Kevin Brechmacher will have the call from Tom Adams Field.  Every contest will be shown live plus each game will also be available On-Demand.

WDTK AND WARRIOR ALL-ACCESS
All Wayne State football games can be heard on WDTK Radio (1400 AM/92.7 FM).  Fans can listen to the games online at wdtkam.com or watch the home games via Warrior All-Access for a $5.95 per game fee.  Sean Baligian and former WSU running back Josh Renel will call the action from the broadcast booth. Former Warrior Ryan Oshnock will serve as the color analyst for three contests.

WINTER'S ON WEDNESDAYS
The weekly Winters on Wednesday's radio show will begin its fourth season on Sept. 2 with head coach Paul Winters joining host Rod Beard  and co-host Nicole Stoll in the studio.  The Winters on Wednesday's radio show airs every Wednesday from 7-8 pm on Newstalk 1400 AM (and 92.7 FM) and is simulcast on wdtkam.com.