HOUGHTON, Mich. -- The Wayne State University football squad (0-5 overall, 0-1 GLIAC) began GLIAC play with a 22-7 setback at Michigan Tech University (4-1 overall, 1-0 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at Kearly Stadium.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Warriors drove 37 yards after the opening kickoff but graduate student Griffin Milovanski (Saugatuck, Mich.) just missed a 56-yard attempt wide right.

After the WSU defense recovered a fumble, a deflected pass by Wayne State sophomore Champion Edwards (Los Angeles, Calif. / American Fork [El Camino C.C.]) was returned by the Huskies to the WSU 10-yard line.  On fourth down, MTU missed a 22-yard field goal attempt.

Following a Warrior punt, the WSU defense made a fourth down stop.   

Second Quarter
Wayne State punted on its ensuing possession, with Michigan Tech going 62 yards in 10 plays with Alex Fries scoring on a 25-yard keeper.

The Warrior offense responded with a six-play, 80-yard drive in 3:12.  Three runs by redshirt freshman XaVior Tyus (Portage, Mich. / Portage Northern) netted 31 yards, while Edwards had a 19-yard gain.  Senior Myles McKatherine (Chicago, Ill. / St. Rita of Cascia [College of DuPage]) hauled in a 27-yard pass from Edwards setting up a first-and-goal.  Senior Jeremiah Sterling, Jr. (Benton Harbor, Mich. / St. Joseph [Olivet]) finished the drive with a six-yard scamper.

Michigan Tech answered with a six-play, 71-yard drive in 2:44 to re-gain the lead at 13-7.  Darius Willis caught a 23-yard scoring strike from Fries with 3:12 remaining in the first half.

Third Quarter
The WSU defense allowed 41 yards on MTU's opening drive of the second half but held on fourth down.  Wayne State drove into Huskie territory but Milovanski's 55-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Michigan Tech went 78 yards, aided by a 15-yard penalty on the Warriors, and scored on a four-yard jet sweep by Willis to take a 20-7 advantage with 2:39 left in the third period.

Fourth Quarter
WSU had to punt on the first play of the fourth stanza, but the Wayne State defense forced a three-and-out.

The Warrior offense put together a 12-play, 59-yard drive but a fourth down play was stopped short of the goal line.

The WSU defense allowed one first down but Michigan Tech was forced to punt, but Wayne State was called for roughing the punter.

Following a 53-yard punt by MTU, which was downed at the WSU 2-yard line, Edwards was sacked in the end zone on the very next play to complete the scoring.

TEAM STATS
Michigan Tech had a 375-261 edge in total offense, including a 210-80 advantage in passing yards.  Each team had one turnover, but Wayne State was flagged for 88 yards on eight penalties, compared to 33 yards on four infractions for MTU.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Edwards rushed for a team-high 77 yards on 20 carries.  He completed 5-of-13 passes for 80 yards.  McKatherine caught four passes for a team-best 72 yards.  Carl Ware led the defense with 10 tackles (9-1), including one for loss.

LEADING THE HUSKIES
Jake Rueff rushed for a game-best 93 yards on 23 attempts.  Fries passed for 210 yards on 19-of-32 with two touchdowns.  Ethan Champney caught a game-high seven passes for a game-best 80 yards, while Willis contributed six receptions for 62 yards.

UP NEXT
Wayne State will return home to Tom Adams Field to host the nationally-ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, October 12th.