DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (1-9 overall, 0-6 GLIAC) had its 2022 campaign come to a close Saturday afternoon with a 40-14 setback to sixth-ranked Ferris State University (9-1 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) at Tom Adams Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and went 73 yards in five plays to take an early 7-0 lead.  The big play was a 69-yard pass play from Carson Gulker to Tyrese Hunt-Thompson giving FSU a first-and-goal at the WSU 10-yard line.  Three plays later Gulker scored on a four-yard keeper.

The next drive for each ended in a punt, before the Warriors knotted the game at 7-7 on an eight-play, 69-yard drive in 3:50.  Sophomore running back Myren Harris (Clinton Township, Mich. / Chippewa Valley) had a 25-yard carry on fourth-and-one to extend the drive.  Two plays later wide receiver Dion Brown, Jr. (Davison, Mich.) took a lateral and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kameron Ford (Novi, Mich. / Walled Lake Western).

Ferris State answered with 60-yard touchdown drive in just five plays that took 1:58.  Gulker's 38-yard touchdown pass went to Emari O'Brien with 2:38 remaining in the opening stanza.

Second Quarter
After a Wayne State punt, FSU had a first-and-goal but back-to-back incompletions preceded a 14-yard loss on a fumble and a fourth down incompletion.

Each team fumbled on its next possession, with graduate student linebacker Matt Buschman (Brighton, Mich.) recovering his national-leading fifth fumble of the season.  WSU's fourth down punt was blocked and went out of the end zone for a safety.

The Bulldogs then took the ensuing drive following the kickoff 55 yards to increase their advantage to 23-7.  Gulker had a 13-yard touchdown scamper on the sixth play of the drive.

On the first play after a Warrior punt, CJ Jefferson went 54 yards with a pass from Gulker, before Buschman forced a fumble which was recovered by sophomore safety Myles Harris (Clinton Township, Mich. / Chippewa Valley).

Ferris State extended its lead to 30-7 just 13 seconds before intermission on a one-yard plunge by Gulker.  FSU had a 220-37 edge in total offense in the first half.

Third Quarter
Three plays after a Wayne State punt, Buschman intercepted a Gulker pass.  WSU sophomore signal caller Josh Kulka (Clinton Township, Mich. / Chippewa Valley) had a 39-yard completion to Williams on the first play, then Myren Harris scored on a one-yard rush the following play to cut the Warrior deficit to 30-14.

Sophomore linebacker Emarion Perkins (Warren, Ohio / Warren G. Harding) forced and recovered a Bulldog fumble on the ensuing drive.  After a three-and-out by the Wayne State offense, redshirt senior defensive end Kofe Kimbrell (Fort Gratiot, Mich. / Port Huron Northern) made a diving interception on a third down pass play by FSU.

Fourth Quarter
On WSU's first drive of the final stanza, Kulka was sacked with Ferris State's Nick Thomas returning the fumble 28 yards for a touchdown.

FSU's Eddie Jewett added a 21-yard field goal later in the period to complete the scoring.

TEAM STATS
Ferris State had a 545-123 edge in total offense including a 330-15 advantage in rushing yards as eight sacks for the Bulldogs accounted for minus 57 yards rushing.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Myren Harris rushed for a team-high 39 yards and one score.  Kulka completed 10-of-25 passes for 88 yards. 

LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Gulker rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 9-of-17 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.  He also lost a fumble.  Hunt-Thompson garnered a game-high 88 receiving yards, Jefferson had a team-best four catches.

UP NEXT
Wayne State will have its annual Spring Game in April and open the 2023 campaign on September 2nd at Slippery Rock.