COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Wayne State University football team (7-3 overall, 7-3 GLIAC) was outscored 22-7 in the second half in suffering a 28-17 setback at Ohio Dominican (7-3 overall, 7-3 GLIAC) in its final regular-season road game of the 2016 campaign.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After WSU punted on its opening possession, the host Panthers drove into Warrior territory and were gifted a first down on a 3rd-and-9 incompletion as an uncatchable ball with a pass interference call.  The Wayne State defense rose to the occasion forcing a 34-yard field goal attempt by ODU's Justin Bonchek, which was blocked.

The WSU offense responded with a 12-play, 80-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead on a one-yard plunge by junior running back Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill).  Brown had eight carries for 54 yards on the scoring drive.

The Warrior defense allowed two first downs but forced a punt.  On WSU's first play, sophomore quarterback Donovan Zezula's (Clarkston, Mich.) pass was tipped by a Wayne State receiver and an ODU defender before a second defender made a diving interception.

On the very next play, Panther signal caller Grant Russell tossed a 23-yard scoring pass to Aaron Stephens.  WSU blocked the extra point maintaining the one-point advantage at 7-6.

Early in the second quarter, the Warriors drove 55 yards with freshman kicker Luke Bevilacqua (Lake Orion, Mich.) connecting on a career-long 36-yard field goal attempt increasing the Wayne State advantage to 10-6.

Neither team was able to score over the final 12 minutes before intermission as Warrior junior cornerback James Howard (Detroit, Mich. / Chandler Park Academy) notched his first interception of the season.

Brown gained 158 yards on 21 rushing attempts in the first half as Wayne State totaled 168 rushing yards in the first half compared to 24 yards on 13 carries for the Panthers.

Ohio Dominican took the second half kickoff and drove 75 yards in seven plays with Russell completing an 18-yard scoring pass to David Turner.

Wayne State answered with a 72-yard touchdown drive that took 12 plays as senior wide receiver Jamel Hicks (East Cleveland, Ohio / Shaw) hauled in a six-yard scoring strike from Zezula.  Bevilacqua's PAT gave the Warriors a 17-14 lead.

On the ensuing drive, ODU had a 3rd-and-1 from its own 44 when Joe Hines took a handoff and went 56 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.  It appeared that a potential holding penalty opened the corner for Hines.

On the kickoff, WSU was flagged for a holding penalty along with a deadball unsportsmanlike conduct infraction pushing the ball back to the Warrior 5.  After a Warrior punt, the Panthers drove into the red zone, but redshirt freshman Jalen Lewis (Pontiac, Mich. / West Bloomfield) recovered a fumble by Russell.

Following another WSU punt, Ohio Dominican was able to increase its lead on a nine-yard touchdown throw by Russell to Dar Stanford which appeared to go through the hands of a WSU defender.

Wayne State was able to drive into the red zone but back-to-back passes in the end zone were incomplete.

TEAM STATS

WSU rushed for 242 yards compared to 146 for the Panthers.  ODU passed for 211 yards to finish with 357 yards of total offense.  Wayne State recorded 349 yards of offense.

Ohio Dominican was 8-of-16 on third down, with the Warriors going 4-of-13.

WSU INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Brown rushed for 200 yards and a score on 29 carries. 

Zezula completed 12-of-26 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.

ODU LEADERS

Hines gained 141 yards on the ground with one score, while Russell was 22-of-30 for 211 yards and three touchdowns.  Stanford notched game-high totals of seven receptions for 84 yards.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude its 2016 campaign with a home contest at noon on Nov. 12 against No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State.