DETROIT -- In its 2017 home opener, the Wayne State University (1-1 overall) football squad battled 18th-ranked University of Indianapolis (2-0 overall) nearly even, but Greyhound kicker Brad Schickel connected on a 30-yard field goal attempt on the game's final play to give the visitors a 31-28 road win at WSU's Tom Adams Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UIndy drove 76 yards in eight plays following the opening kickoff and took a 7-0 lead on a 10-yard run by Tyre Lee.

The Warriors knotted the game at 7-7 on the ensuing drive with a six-yard completion on fourth down by junior quarterback D.J. Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.) to sophomore wide receiver Darece Roberson, Jr. (Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores).

After the WSU defense forced a three-and-out, Wayne State took a 14-7 advantage early in the second period on a 11-yard pass play from Zezula to junior running back Deiontae Nicholas (Chesterfield, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) on a third-and-goal play.

The last four full drives before intermission concluded with a punt.

The punt theme continued after halftime as both WSU and Indianapolis were forced to punt on their first drives of the third quarter.

On Wayne State's second possession of the third stanza, Jacob Schmatz made a diving interception after Zezula's pass bounced off a Warrior receiver.

UIndy signal caller Jake Purichia called his own number on a third-and-goal and barely crossed the goal line on the three-yard scoring play to even the game at 14-14.

Following another WSU punt, the Greyhounds took a 21-14 lead as Al McKeller scored on an eight-yard run to complete a nine-play, 72-yard scoring drive.

The Warriors rebounded with a scoring drive of their own.  Senior running back Demetrius Stinson (Detroit, Mich. / Douglass) scored on a one-yard plunge to complete the 10-play, 65-yard drive.  Zezula was 4-of-4 for 37 yards on the drive, while Stinson contributed five carries for 22 yards.

Indianapolis struck quickly to grab a 28-21 advantage as Purichia hooked up with Tuwan Payton on a 39-yard scoring pass on the fifth play of a 78-yard scoring drive.

The theme of "anything you can do, I can do better" continued as Wayne State engineered an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to knot the score at 28 with 5:06 remaining.  WSU was 3-of-3 on third down during the drive which concluded with a 27-yard touchdown reception by Corey Ester (Lake Orion, Mich.), his first touchdown catch since Oct. 31, 2015, against Findlay.

The Greyhounds drove into Warrior territory but McKeller was stuffed for a two-yard loss on fourth down.  Wayne State went three-and-out, but Payton aided the Warrior effort with a minus five yard punt return.

Indianapolis went 64 yards in the final 57 seconds, aided by a 46-yard completion by Purichia to Aaron Matio, along with a roughing the passer penalty on WSU.  Schickel's field goal came after UIndy called timeout with 2.5 seconds left.

TEAM STATS

Wayne State rushed 40 times for 115 yards, while UIndy gained 95 yards on 29 attempts.  Both squads attempted 27 passes with Indianapolis completing 21 for 274 yards and the Warriors having 20 completions for 193 yards.  The Greyhounds led in total offense 369-308.

WSU LEADERS

Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) rushed for a game-high 51 yards, while Stinson added 42 yards.  Zezula was 21-of-27 for 193 yards and three touchdowns.  Nicholas had team-high totals of seven receptions and 62 receiving yards.

UINDY LEADERS

Andrew Walker led the Greyhounds with 42 rushing yards on seven attempts, with McKeller contributing 33 yards on 14 carries.  Purichia passed for 274 yards and one touchdown on 21-of-27.  Payton recorded game-high totals of eight receptions for 103 yards.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will commence conference play with a 6 p.m. home kickoff against Saginaw Valley State on Sept. 16 at WSU's Tom Adams Field.