DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (0-10 overall, 0-6 GLIAC) closed out the home portion of its 2026 schedule with a loss to top-ranked Ferris State University (10-0 overall, 6-0 GLIAC). Twenty (20) seniors were recognized during a pre-game ceremony.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
On the second offensive play of the game, WSU redshirt freshman safety
Dharon Flowers (Holland, Ohio / Toledo Central Catholic) stepped in front of the intended receiver for his team-leading second interception of the campaign.
The Warrior offense stalled, but redshirt junior punter
Griffin Nowak (Livonia, Mich. / Franklin) launched a 62-yard punt that bounced out of bounds at the Bulldog eight-yard line.
FSU went 92 yards in five plays with Kevin Simes hauling in a 50-yard touchdown pass from Chase Carter for the game's first score.
On Wayne State's second play of the ensuing drive,
Joseph Lattimore (Linden, Mich.) caught a shovel pass from starting quarterback
Dale Johnson (Sandusky, Ohio), but a fumble was returned 17 yards by Ferris State's Nick Flegler to make it 14-0.
Nowak's next punt went for 49 yards, but FSU returner Taariik Brett broke free for a 67-yard touchdown return to make it 21-0 just before the mid-point of the opening stanza.
After WSU failed to convert on fourth-and-one, Warrior senior safety
Kelly Matthews (Detroit, Mich. / River Rouge [Concordia, Mich.]) forced a fumble then hustled to recover the loose ball.
Second Quarter
The Bulldogs extended their advantage on the fourth play of the second period on a two-yard TD run by quarterback Marcel Jones.
Ferris State scored three more touchdowns before halftime. Jones had two touchdown runs, then threw a 16 yards pass to Leeshaun Mumpfield.
Third Quarter
Wayne State garnered one first down on the opening drive after intermission, but Ferris State drove 53 yards in four play with Jones scoring on a 39-yard keeper, his fourth rushing touchdown of the game.
Following an interception, the Bulldogs gained 24 yards with Jay Cady connecting on a 25-yard field goal attempt.
Fourth Quarter
Derek Pennington scored on a 20-yard run around right end on the fifth play of the final period.
FSU was driving on its next possession, but senior defensive end
Joe Clark, Jr. (Pontiac, Mich. / West Bloomfield) forced a fumble near the goal line which was recovered in the end zone by sophomore cornerback
Ka'Vion Smith (Holly, Mich. [Lawrence Tech]).
Bulldog Joseph Calhoun intercepted a Warrior pass on the very next play returning it 24 yards for the score.
Nolan Matthews scored the final touchdown of the game on a three-yard run.
TEAM STATS
Ferris State had a 620-17 advantage in total offense, including a 359-11 edge in rushing yards. FSU went 5-of-7 on third down, while the Warriors were 2-of-14.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Redshirt freshman
Malik Shephard (Detroit, Mich. / Henry Ford) rushed for a team-high 35 yards.Johnson was 4-of-11, while Searcy was 2-of-7 for 11 yards.
Torrence Greene (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron) totaled a game-best eight stops (5-3), plus a pass break-up, while
Jasir Rahaman (Detroit, Mich. / U. of Detroit Jesuit),
Luke Johnson (Oxford, Mich.) and
Max Edwards (Los Angeles, Calif. / American Fork HS in Utah) each were credited with seven tackles with Johnson notching a tackle for loss.
LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Jones rushed for a game-best 134 yards and four touchdowns. Chase Carter completed 12-of-19 passes for 173 yards and one score. Twelve (12) different FSU players had a reception. Nolan Ziegler posted a team-high five tackles (3-2).
UP NEXT
Wayne State will conclude the 2026 season with a noon kickoff on Nov. 14 at Michigan Tech.
