Box Score SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The Wayne State University football squad (0-1 overall) began the
Tyrone Wheatley era with a 28-17 setback at No. 15-Slippery Rock (1-0 overall) Saturday evening at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The defenses were dominant allowing just a combined four first downs in the opening 15 minutes and two punts by each team.
Second Quarter
The contest remained scoreless until The Rock took possession at their own 19-yard line with 6:09 left before intermission. SRU took a 7-0 lead on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Long to Logan Ramper to conclude a nine-play, 81-yard drive in 3:51.
On the third play of the ensuing drive, graduate student quarterback
Eli McLean (Clarkston, Mich. / Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) threw an interception. When McLean started the game for WSU it marked his collegiate debut.
Slippery Rock increased its lead to 14-0 five plays later on six-yard pass from Long to Khalid Dorsey with 25.7 seconds left prior to halftime.
Third Quarter
The Warriors took the second half kickoff and used 14 rushing plays to cover 89 yards in a scoring drive that took 8:37. Graduate transfer
Jayden Waddell (Union Mills, N.C. / East Rutherford) scored on a three-yard keeper on a first-and-goal play. Junior
Griffin Milovanski (Saugatuck, Mich.) extended his consecutive PAT streak to make it 14-7.
SRU looked to have thrown an incomplete pass on third down on the ensuing drive but the Field Judge some how determined it was a pass interference on WSU's
Dalen Peeks despite Peeks jumping in front of the receiver. The Rock used the gift to make it 21-7 as the drive continued with Chris D'Or scored on a one-yard scamper to complete the 11-play, 75-yard drive.
Fourth Quarter
WSU used 6:27 on the clock to cut into Slippery Rock's advantage as Milovanski connected on a 47-yard field goal attempt just over five minutes into the final stanza.
SRU answered with a seven-play, 88-yard drive in just 3:53 with Isaiah Edwards scoring on a 29-yard run around right end.
The Warriors kept battling and drove 91 yards in seven play in only 2:42 to complete the scoring. Sophomore wide out
Manny Harris (Kankakee, Ill. / Bishop McNamara) notched his second career rushing touchdown with a 25-yard run down the left sideline bouncing off defenders and spinning his way into the end zone.
Wayne State's onside kick attempt was recovered by Slippery Rock. The WSU defense stopped the Rock on fourth down but the Warrior offense was unable to garner a first down.
TEAM STATS
Slippery Rock held a 347-304 advantage in total offense, but the Warriors won the ground battle 223-209. WSU had a large margin in time of possession (35:57 to 24:03) and converted both fourth down attempts and were 5-of-13 on third down.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Waddell produced a team-high 83 yards on the ground including his first WSU touchdown. He also competed 5-of-6 passes for 60 yards. Sophomore tight end
John Rayba (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Stoney Creek) caught a team-high three passes for a team-best 38 yards, his first three career receptions. Linebacker
Matt Buschman (Brighton, Mich.) recorded a team-high 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assisted), including 1.5 for loss.
LEADING THE ROCK
Dorsey (76 yards) and D'Or (69 yards) combined for 145 yards on the ground with Edwards contributing another 52 yards. Long was 11-of-18 for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Ramper led SRU with 47 receiving yards.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will have its 2023 home opener on Saturday, Sept. 9 with a 1 p.m. kick-off against Missouri S&T.
