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Wayne State University Athletics

Griffin Milovanski 2023 vs. Missouri S&T
Michael Dubicki
Griffin Milovanski connected on four field goals, including three over 40 yards.
19
Wayne State WS 3-8 , 2-4
63
Winner Ferris St. FSU 8-2 , 5-1
Wayne State WS
3-8 , 2-4
19
Final
63
Ferris St. FSU
8-2 , 5-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WS Wayne State 3 6 0 10 19
FSU Ferris St. 14 14 21 14 63

Game Recap: Football | | Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Football Concludes Season With Setback At Ferris State

Milovanski connects on four field goals, including three over 40 yards.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Wayne State University football squad (3-8 overall, 2-4 GLIAC) concluded its first season under head coach Tyrone Wheatley with a 63-19 setback at sixth-ranked Ferris State University (8-2 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Warriors took the opening kickoff and drove 66 yards in 12 plays with junior Griffin Milovanski (Saugatuck, Mich.) connecting on a 20-yard field goal attempt.  Big plays on the drive were an 18-yard carry by junior Te'Avion Warren (Flint, Mich. / Davison) on a third-and-three, along with a 20-yard rush by graduate student Jayden Waddell (Union Mills, N.C. / East Rutherford).  Waddell replaced classmate Eli McLean (Clarkston, Mich. / Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) who was injured on WSU's second offensive play.

On FSU's first play from scrimmage, Mylik Mitchell tossed a 75-yard scoring pass to Tyrese Hunt-Thompson, just 24 seconds after WSU had scored.

After the Warriors had picked up a pair of first downs, on a carry by Waddell and a Waddell completion to senior Max Nicklin (Davisburg, Mich. / Clarkston), Wayne State had to punt.  Ferris State drove 75 yards in seven plays with Carson Gulker scoring on a 12-yard keeper to make it 14-3 with 85 seconds left in the opening stanza.

Second Quarter
WSU punted in the final minute of the first period, and the Bulldogs extended their lead to 21-3 on a five-yard scamper by Mitchell ona third-and-goal to conclude a nine-play, 54-yard drive.

Milovanski drilled a 48-yard field goal on the ensuing possession to finish a five-play, 33-yard drive.  Junior tight end Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez (Petoskey, Mich.) hauled in a19-yard pass from Waddell, along with a 15-yard personal foul on the Bulldogs led to the three points.

Ferris State responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive in 3:30 with Gulker tossing a 10-yard scoring pass to Xavier Wade with 6:03 left before intermission.

After a WSU punt, FSU turned the ball over on downs.

Senior quarterback Josh Kulka (Clinton Township, Mich. / Chippewa Valley) engineered a five-play, 46-yard scoring drive culminating in a 42-yard field goal by Milovanski.

Third Quarter
Ferris State took the second half kickoff and scored on a 30-yard keeper by Gulker on a fourth-and-one to complete a 61-yard drive in five plays.

Following a Waddell interception, the Bulldogs went 58 yards in five plays with Mitchell scoring on a three-yard keeper with 10:09 left in the third period.  Mitchell's scoring run wrapped up a five-play, 58-yard drive.

Waddell fumbled on WSU's first play from scrimmage following the kickoff.  FSU went 33 yards in eight plays to make it 49-9 on a 13-yard touchdown run by Markel King.  

Fourth Quarter
On the third play of the stanza, Trinidad Chambliss scored on a three-yard keeper to extend the hosts advantage to 56-9.

Wayne State answered with a five-play, 80-yard drive.  Junior running back Jeremiah Sterling (Benton Harbor, Mich. / St. Joseph) had a 56-yard reception from Waddell on a third-and-six.  The scoring play was a seven-yard rush by junior wide receiver Dion Brown, Jr. (Flint, Mich. / Davison).

FSU's James Coby had a 16-yard touchdown run to finish a seven-play, 75-yard drive in 3:50 with 7:38 remaining in the game.

The Warriors drove 39 yards in six plays with Milovanski drilling a 48-yard field goal attempt, his third made field goal of at least 40 yards in the game.

TEAM STATS
Ferris State held a 611 to 341 advantage in total offense, including a 353-154 edge in rushing yards.  The time of possession was nearly at FSU's 30:02 to WSU's 29:58.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Sterling rushed for a team-high 57 yards, while Waddell added 43 yards on the ground.  Waddell was 14-of-21 passing for 174 yards with two interceptions.  Sterling caught five passes for a team-best 106 yards (the second 100-yard receiving effort by a Warrior this year - Te'Avion Warren vs. Missouri S&T).

LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Gulker rushed for a game-high 95 yards and two touchdowns, while King contributed 91 yards on 10 carries.  Mitchell completed 9-of-13 passes for 155 yards and one score, while Chambliss passed for 69 yards on 7-of-8.  Hunt-Thompson had a game-best 122 receiving yards on four receptions.

UP NEXT
Wayne State is scheduled to begin the 2024 campaign at Tiffin University on Thursday, September 5th.
 
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