DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football squad (2-8 overall, 1-6 GLIAC) led 17-3 and 24-20, but allowed the final 14 points in a 34-24 setback to visiting Northern Michigan University (3-7 overall, 1-6 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at Tom Adams Field.

WSU took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in 10 plays with sophomore quarterback Jake AmRhein (South Elgin, Ill.) scoring on a 12-yard scramble just over four minutes into the contest.  A big play on the drive was a 21-yard run by junior James Hill (Livonia, Mich. / Clarenceville) on a second-and-12.

On the fifth play of the ensuing drive, senior cornerback Malcolm Williams (Detroit, Mich. / Southwestern) intercepted a Latrell Giles pass and returned it 50 yards for the Warriors second touchdown in the first 6:28 of the contest.

The Wildcats next drive covered 60 yards in 15 plays with Daniel Riser connecting on a 32-yard field goal attempt in the final 90 seconds of the opening stanza.

After an exchange of punts, Wayne State took over at its own 20 yard line and had possession for the final 9:28 of the first half.  The 19 play drive covered 79 yards with AmRhein being stopped short of the goal line on fourth-and-one.

On the first play after intermission, freshman safety Tieler Houston (Waterford, Mich. / Clarkston) intercepted Giles and returned the pick to the NMU 14.  The WSU drive stalled and graduate student place-kicker Paul Graham (Commerce Twp., Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) connected on a 22-yard field goal attempt to make it 17-3.

Wildcat Jake Mayon scored on a five-yard touchdown run on the next possession to cut the Warrior advantage to 17-10.  The big play was a 41-yard completion from Giles to Benjamin Loutsis.

Following a Wayne State punt, Northern Michigan went 72 yards in nine plays with Riser making a 17-yard field goal attempt.  Mayon's 37-yard scamper set up the field goal.

Giles scored on a one-yard keeper on the sixth play of the fourth quarter giving NMU a 20-17 lead with 11:55 remaining.

WSU responded with a 75 yard drive in seven plays to re-take the lead on a three-yard run by Hill with 8:31 left.

An unsportsmanlike penalty on the Warriors during the PAT attempt forced a kickoff from the 20-yard line.  Loutsis then had a 21-yard kickoff return to the 41.  Northern Michigan used 14 plays to cover 59 yards and took 6:57 off the clock.

Giles scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 1:28 remaining to give the Wildcats a 27-24 lead.

Wayne State had nine plays on the ensuing drive and drove to the NMU 10 yard line, but AmRhein's third down pass was intercepted by Anthony Ladd and returned 97 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining.

TEAM STATS

Northern Michigan led 383-367 in total offense, including a 236-192 advantage in rushing yards.  The Wildcats were 4-of-4 on fourth down, while the Warriors were 9-of-15 on third down.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Hill rushed for a team-high 131 yards and one touchdown, while AmRhein was 12-of-23 for 175 yards.  Darece Roberson (Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores) had three catches for 63 yards.  Houston had a team-high 11 tackles (8 solo, 3 assisted), including 1.5 for loss along with the interception.

LEADING THE WILDCATS

Mayon rushed for a game-high 179 yards and one score.  Giles completed 6-of-10 passes for 147 yards and was intercepted twice.  Loutsis had a game-high 117 receiving yards.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude the 2018 season with a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday (Nov. 10) at Grand Valley STate.