Wayne State University Athletics

HILLSDALE, Mich. -- The Wayne State University football team (0-2 overall) was shutout on Saturday afternoon falling 49-0 at Hillsdale College (2-0 overall).

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The host Chargers took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in seven plays with Ben Ngishu scoring on an eight-yard jaunt around the right end 3:45 into the contest.  HC had three plays of at least 12 yards on the drive, including a 27-yard completion from Colin McKernan to Luke Stanton.

The Warrior offense garnered one first down, but had to punt.  Hillsdale earned five first downs on the subsequent drive scoring on a 13-yard run around right end by Ngishu following a 23-yard pass from Eli Boyce to Andrew Konieczny.

WSU picked up a pair of first downs on a 13-yard scamper by freshman running back Gary Jefferson, Jr. (Bastrop, Texas) and a 12-yard completion from Carson Creehan (Madison, Ala. / Madison Academy [Coffeyville CC]) to Mar'Tavion Robinson (Lansing, Mich. / Waverly [Davenport]).

Second Quarter
On the ensuring drive, HC increased its advantage to 21-0 with a seven-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a 24-yard touchdown pass from McKernan to Tutt Carrico on a fourth-and-eighth play.

WSU's Haiden Bollini (Sandusky, Ohio / Perkins) had a one-yard carry on fourth-and-one in Wayne State territory, with a punt by redshirt freshman George Sanchez-Murillo (Lincoln Park, Mich. / Detroit Cass Tech) being downed at the HC 20-yard line.

A 48-yard pass from Boyce to Carrico on a third-and-nine made it 28-0 with 6:03 remaining in the first half.  That play concluded a seven-play, 80-yard drive in 3:09.

There was no more scoring before intermission.

Third Quarter
Wayne State drove inside the Charger 35 to start the second half but freshman quarterback Nikkos Davis (Warren, Mich. / Macomb Dakota) pass attempt on third-and-eight was ruled a fumble recovered by Hillsdale.

HC scored five plays later on a 15-yard pass from Boyce to Carrico making it 35-0 with 9:36 remaining in the third stanza.

The Warrior offense drove inside the Charger 30 on the next possession but an interception near the goal line thwarted that scoring attempt.

Hillsdale drove 96 yards in 11 plays using 5:37 on the clock to grab a 42-0 lead.

Fourth Quarter
The game's final score came just past the mid-point of the fourth period making the final score 49-0.

TEAM STATS
Hillsdale had 36 first downs to WSU's 11, and out-gained the Warriors 621-194.  The host Chargers rushed for 351 yards on 47 attempts, while passing for 270 yards on 18-of-26.  WSU rushed for 62 yards on 29 attempts, which included seven sacks.  

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Jefferson, Jr. rushed for a team-best 53 yards on 12 carries, while D'Vaun Bentley added 38 yards four rushing attempts.  Creehan was 8-of-14 for 49 yards, but was sacked four times.  Davis completed 5-of-12 passes for 83 yards, and was sacked three times.  Jordan Bell had four receptions for 71 yards, including a long of 44 yards.  Jonathon Melendez had a game-high nine tackles (6-3), plus a pass break-up.

LEADING THE CHARGERS
Avery Holt rushed for a game-high 56 yards on six attempts with one touchdown.  Eleven different Hillsdale players recorded a rushing attempt.  Boyce was 8-of-10 for 139 yards and two scores in relief of McKernan, who was 9-of-13 for 126 yards and one touchdown.  Carrico caught five passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

UP NEXT
Wayne State returns to Tom Adams Field next Saturday (Sept. 19) for a 1 PM kick-off against Wisconsin-La Crosse.