DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (3-1 overall, 3-1 GLIAC) won its second consecutive home game rolling up more than 400 rushing yards for the second straight week in a 35-21 triumph over Tiffin University (2-2 overall, 1-2 GLIAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

It took the Warriors just three plays and 77 seconds to get on the scoreboard as junior running back Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) had two carries for 56 yards, preceding an 11-yard touchdown jaunt by junior running back Demetrius Stinson (Detroit, Mich. / Douglass).

The Dragons tied the game at 7-7 with a nine-play, 65 yard drive concluding with a six-yard pass from Antonio Pipkin to Jordan Nobles.

WSU answered with a 42-yard scoring drive following a 58-yard kickoff return by sophomore Deiontae Nicholas (Chesterfield, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North).  Sophomore quarterback Donovan Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.) completed a 12-yard pass to senior Jamel Hicks (East Cleveland, Ohio / Shaw) then connected on a 26-yard screen pass to Stinson on a third-and-eight prior to Stinson's two-yard touchdown run.

The Wayne State defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and the offense responded with a five-play, 68-yard drive that included four rushes by Brown and a 10-yard completion from Zezula to senior tight end Trent Brodbeck (Toledo, Ohio / St. John's Jesuit).  Brown had two carries for at least 20 yards on the drive, including a 28-yard scamper into the end zone.

The second stanza featured seven punts and one turnover by the Warriors.

WSU held Tiffin to 164 yards in the first 30 minutes, while the Warriors totaled 277 yards on 30 plays including 206 on the ground.

Senior safety Jimmy Hendrix (Livonia, Mich. / Brother Rice) notched his first career interception on the second play of the third quarter leading to Wayne State's fourth touchdown of the game.  Brown began the drive with six consecutive carries, and after a four-yard gain by Zezula, Brown rumbled in from a yard out.

The Dragons scored on the first play of the fourth period after a 69-yard run by Pipkin on the final play of the third quarter.

The Warriors responded with a four-play, 80-yard drive, culminating in a 66-yard touchdown run by Brown.

Tiffin completed the scoring with a 29-yard Pipkin to Trent Stamm pass early in the fourth period.

TEAM STATS

Wayne State had a 528-386 edge in total offense, including a 414-109 advantage in rushing yards.

The Warriors held more than a 13-minute margin in time of possession (36:41 to 23:19).

WSU INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS

Brown rushed for the seventh-highest single-game total in school history with 283 yards on 26 carries for an average of 10.9 yards per attempt.  It was the 22nd time in the last 33-plus year a WSU running back had at least 200 rushing yards in a game.

Zezula completed 9-of-16 passes for 114 yards, with Hicks leading the Warriors with four receptions for 61 yards.

Senior cornerback Brandon Lee (Detroit, Mich. / Southeastern) led the WSU defense with six tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted) including a sack, plus a forced fumble and a pass break-up.

TIFFIN STAT LEADERS

Pipkin rushed for a team-high 75 yards, although 69 came on the final play of the third period.

Pipkin completed 25-of-48 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.  He was sacked four times.

Stamm recorded game-high totals of seven catches for 85 yards and one score.

WORTH NOTING

Wayne State has started 3-1 for the seventh time in the last nine seasons.

Brown became the 12th player in school history to reach the 2,000 yard career rushing plateau.  He is 11th with 2,063 career rushing yards.  Brown also moved into a tie-for-sixth in career rushing touchdowns with WSU Hall of Famer Steve Lee with 25 scores on the ground.  He is three away from tying All-American Josh Renel for fifth place.

Four of WSU's five scoring drives against Tiffin last less than 2:30, with three of the drives taking less than two minutes.

After recording seven rushing plays for 20 yards or more total over the first three contests, Wayne State had seen rushing plays of at least 20 yards vs. the Dragons.

Despite allowing a first quarter touchdown to Tiffin, the Warriors have outscored their opponents 73-7 in the first quarter and 108-13 in the first half this season.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude its three-game home stand with a 6 p.m. Homecoming game kickoff against Hillsdale.