CANTON, Ohio -- The Wayne State University football team (1-0 overall) scored a touchdown on its final four possessions of the first half to lead 28-3 at intermission in a 28-9 triumph against former GLIAC rival Walsh University (0-1 overall) Saturday afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After punting on its first possession, the Warriors defense forced a fumble on Walsh's fourth play from scrimmage with sophomore defensive tackle Justin Hollins (West Bloomfield, Mich.) recovering at the Cavalier 22.  On the second play of the ensuing drive, junior quarterback D.J. Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.), making his 22nd consecutive start, found tight end Preston Pelham (Tecumseh, Mich.) for a 23-yard scoring strike.  Senior kicker Paul Graham (Commerce Twp., Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) connected on his first PAT since the 2015 season finale at Hillsdale due to missing last season with an injury.

On the first play following a Walsh punt, Zezula found sophomore wide receiver Darece Roberson, Jr. (Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores) behind the Cavalier defense for a 60-yard touchdown pass.  It was the second straight year that Roberson had caught a touchdown pass in the opening game of the season.

Walsh's Kasey Tingler connected on a 41-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the opening stanza.

The Warriors drove 71 yards in 15 plays following the kickoff with Roberson hauling in a three-yard TD pass on a third-and-goal.  It was the fourth consecutive third down conversion on the drive.

The Cavaliers had a nine-play drive but turned the ball over on downs at the WSU three-yard line.  After five offensive plays for the Warriors plus three penalties on WSU and one infraction on Walsh, Wayne State had a second-and-20 from the WSU 15.  Junior running back Deiontae Nicholas (Chesterfield, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) took a jet sweep hand off, managed to stay in bounds along the Warrior sideline, refused to be pushed out of bounds and cut back for an 85-yard touchdown run on the last play of the first half.  It was Nicholas' second career touchdown run of at least 85 yards and concluded a 97-yard scoring drive.

The only points of the second half was a 10-yard run by Walsh's Byron King on the third drive of the third period.  Tingler's PAT kick was wide right.

Wayne State punted twice in the final 30 minutes and had two drives end on fumbles, before running out the final four minutes on the clock with nine consecutive plays.

TEAM STATS

WSU rushed for 287 yards and one touchdown on 41 attempts, while Walsh had 136 rushing yards on 39 attempts with one score.  The Warriors passed for 149 yards and three touchdowns, with the Cavaliers passing for 181 yards.  Wayne State held a 436 to 317 edge in total offense.

WSU INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Nicholas rushed for a game-high 123 yards, while senior Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) gained 113 yards on 26 attempts.

Zezula completed 10-of-13 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns.  Nicholas also had a team-high five receptions and finished with a game-best 174 all-purpose yards.  Roberson finished with a game-high 95 receiving yards.

Anthony Pittman (Birmingham, Mich. / Groves) garnered a game-best nine tackles (6 solo, 3 assisted), while senior linebacker Dustin Carlin (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Utica Stevenson) had seven tackles (4 solo, 3 assisted) including a sack and a pass break-up.

Senior safety Ronny Brant II (Uniontown, Ohio / Green), playing just 20 miles from his hometown, had two interceptions and six tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted).

WALSH INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Kalvin Gordon totaled a team-best 78 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Nick Gassman passed for 171 yards on 14-of-25 but was intercepted twice.  Mitchell Ault was 1-of-4 for 10 yards.  Quinn Thomas had a game-high six catches for 86 yards.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will host former GLIAC member the University of Indianapolis in the home opener on Saturday at Tom Adams Field.  Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. in a battle of two 1-0 squads.