TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Wayne State University football team (2-2 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) grabbed an early 7-0 lead but the host Tiffin University Dragons (3-1 overall, 2-0 GLIAC) scored the next 31 points en route to a 41-21 triumph over the visiting Warriors Saturday night at Frost-Kalnow Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first three drives of the game ended in punts, but WSU's second punt was mishandled by Dragon returner Tyler Denton with the Warriors recovering at the TU 27.  Five consecutive runs by senior running back Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) gave WSU a first-and-goal.  Junior quarterback D.J. Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.) connected with sophomore receiver Darece Roberson, Jr. (Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores0 for a four-yard touchdown.

Tiffin answered with a 65-yard touchdown drive with Jaquan Hardy scoring on a one-yard plunge, which was TU's second third down conversion of the drive.  Following a WSU fumble on the second play from scrimmage, Charles Holland hauled in a 21-yard pass from Nick Watson to put the hosts in front 14-7.

The Dragons added to their lead with a 31-yard field goal by Joseph Metcalf following a Wayne State punt.  TU used just 3:32 on the clock in going 81 yards in eight plays with Watson scoring on a 10-yard keeper.

WSU fumbled the punt following Tiffin's opening drive of the second half, but Metcalf missed a 26-yard field goal attempt.  After a Warrior punt, Watson scored from four yards out on third down to complete the 31 straight points by the Dragons.

After Wayne State failed to convert on fourth-and-one, sophomore linebacker Leon Eggleston (Sylvania, Ohio / Southview) recovered a fumble and advanced it into Tiffin territory.  On the following play, Zezula tossed a 43-yard TD pass to junior receiver Corey Ester (Lake Orion, Mich.).  A successful two-point conversion cut the WSU deficit to 31-15.  On the first play after the Warrior kickoff, junior cornerback Myron Riley (Harvey, Ill. / Thornton) had a pick six taking a Watson pass back 21 yards for Wayne State's second touchdown in 11 seconds.

The next four drives (two by each team) ended in punts.  Tiffin extended its lead to 38-21 on Hardy's two-yard touchdown run.  Following a fourth down incompletion by Zezula, Tiffin went 69 yards in six plays with Metcalf connecting on a 20-yard field goal attempt to conclude the scoring.

TEAM STATS

Tiffin held a 297-99 edge in rushing yards, plus a 184-99 advantage in passing yards to lead 481-198 in total offense.  Wayne State was just 2-of-13 on third down compared to 8-of-16 for Tiffin.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Brown led WSU with 14 carries for 49 yards.  Zezula was 6-of-16 for 99 yards and two touchdowns.  Both Ester and Roberson had two receptions for 46 yards and a score.  Sophomore safety Kyle Toth (Hudsonville, Mich.) led the squad with 10 tackles (9-1), including two for loss plus a forced fumble.

LEADING THE DRAGONS

Hardy rushed for a career-high 229 yards on 24 attempts.  Watson completed 18-of-28 passes for 184 yards with one touchdown and one interception.  Both Holland and Hunter Rockwell had four receptions.  Carrington Contee recorded a game-high 11 tackles (9-2) and forced a fumble.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will travel to nationally-ranked Ferris State next Saturday (Sept. 30) for a 3 p.m. kickoff.