DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football squad (4-6 overall, 3-5 GLIAC) concluded the home portion of its 2017 schedule with a 26-24 triumph over visiting Northern Michigan University (1-8 overall, 1-7 GLIAC) on Senior Day.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Warriors scored the first 20 points, then had to rally from a 24-23 deficit with a fourth quarter field goal, the only points of the final stanza.

On the second offensive play of the game, sophomore linebacker Ryan Smith (Warren, Mich. / De La Salle) stripped the ball from Wildcat receiver Jaranta Lewis, with senior linebacker Dustin Carlin (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) recovering at the NMU 29.

Senior running back Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) had five carries on the ensuing drive which culminated in a six-yard touchdown run to put WSU ahead 7-0 less than four minutes into the contest.

The Wayne State defense forced a three-and-out on Northern Michigan's next possession and the offense responded with a six-play, 55-yard touchdown drive to make it 14-0 just past the midpoint of the opening stanza.  Sophomore quarterback Dakota Kupp (Waterford, Mich. / Mott) had a 42-yard completion to sophomore Tyler Blaszczak (Brownstown, Mich. / Riverview Gabriel Richard) on third-and-11, and three plays later senior Demetrius Stinson (Detroit, Mich. / Douglass) battled his way in for a two-yard touchdown run.

Following another three-and-out by the Wildcat offense, the Warriors drove 71 yards in 14 plays using nearly eight minutes on the clock with senior Paul Graham (Commerce Twp., Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) connecting on a 20-yard field goal attempt.

NMU garnered its first first down of the game with just under 12 minutes remaining before intermission.  Following Northern Michigan's third punt of the first half, Wayne State earned three first downs and concluded a 70-yard drive with Graham's 27-yard field goal.

The Wildcats cut into WSU's 20-point lead with four-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that included a 36-yard pass from Ryan Johnson to Jaranta Lewis and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Dan Van Effen.

Just before halftime, NMU went 62-yard in 12 plays but had to settle for a 25-yard Dalton Ray field goal after having first-and-goal at the WSU 2.

After an exchange of punts to start the second half, the Warriors had a 13-play, 73-yard drive which culminated in a 38-yard field goal by Graham.

Northern Michigan wasted no time in cutting its deficit to six points (23-17) as Jake Mayon took a handoff on the first play following the kickoff and scampered 65 yards for a touchdown.

After a Wayne State fumble in the red zone, the Wildcats took their first lead of the game (24-23) with an eight-play, 88-yard scoring drive.  Johnson threw a 50-yard toss to Dallas Dixon for the go-ahead score.

WSU answered with a 15-play, 73-yard drive that took 6:49 off the clock.  Wayne State converted two third down plays on the drive - a 20-yard reception by Ray'Jon Williams-Jackson (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ypsilanti Community) on third-and eight, and a seven-yard catch by Williams-Jackson on third-and-seven.  Graham concluded the game-winning drive with his fourth field goal of the game, this one from 24-yards.

The next four drives of the game (two by each team) ended in punts.

NMU gained possession at its own 18 with 1:04 on the clock, and moved into Wayne State territory before junior cornerback Myron Riley (Harvey, Ill. / Thornton) intercepted a pass on second-and-one to seal the Senior Day victory for the Warriors.

TEAM STATS

WSU led in total offense (483-402), rushing yards (249-130), time of possession (41:58-18:02) and third-down conversions (9-of-18 to 4-of-11).

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Both Brown and Stinson rushed for over 100 yards, with Brown gaining 116 on 25 carries, while Stinson chipped in with 102 yards on 22 attempts.  Each had one rushing touchdown.  Kupp completed 14-of-24 passes for 234 yards with no interceptions.  Williams-Jackson had more catches in this game (9 for 153) than his previous career total (8 for 55).  The 153 receiving yards by Williams-Jackson was the most by a Warrior since Jamel Hicks had five receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the 2016 opener at Northwood.

LEADING THE WILDCATS

Mayon had 15 carries for 122 yards and one score, while Johnson passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-35.  Dixon had team-high totals of five receptions for 127 yards and one TD.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude the 2017 campaign with a noon contest on Nov. 11 at GLIAC newcomer Davenport.