MIDLAND, Mich. – The Wayne State University football team (2-2 overall, 1-2 GLIAC) had its two-game winning streak come to an end with a 31-13 loss at Northwood University (2-2 overall, 2-1 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at Hantz Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the Warriors drove 49 yards on the first drive of the game, Majd Khytaz (Grosse Ile, Mich.) first collegiate field goal attempt (from 43 yards) was just short.
• Timberwolves went 74 yards in seven plays aided by two offsides penalties on WSU to take a 7-0 lead on a 10-yard run by Andre Carter.
• A three-and-out by WSU preceded an 82-yard drive in 12 plays (6:40).  The Warriors forced an incompletion on fourth-and-20 but a flag was thrown for pass interference giving Northwood a first-and-10 at the WSU 12.  Four plays later Luke Shaffer scored on a two-yard run.
• Wayne State responded with an 11-play, 78-yard drive in 6:05 with junior Jamel Hicks (East Cleveland, Ohio / Shaw) hauling in a 13-yard scoring toss from freshman quarterback D.J. Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.) on a third-and-11.
• The final three drives of the first half ended in punts.
• Northwood drove 88 yards in nine plays to start the second half.  NU scored on a 43-yard pass from Mark Morris to Devonta Elzy.
• WSU put together a 16-play drive covering 74 yards but was stopped on a fourth-and-goal from the NU one yard line.
• The Timberwolves went 80 yards on the ensuing possession with David Knudsen converting a 37-yard field goal attempt giving the hosts a 24-6 advantage.
• On Wayne State's first play following the kickoff, Zezula found a streaking Manny Mendoza (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) for a 78-yard touchdown.
• Northwood answered with an 82-yard touchdown pass to Theron Wilson on a third-and-17.
• The Warriors garnered three first downs on the following drive but a first down pass from NU 15 was intercepted and Northwood ran out the clock.

 
WARRIOR PLAYER TIDBITS

• Hicks touchdown reception was his third in four games this season, and fourth in the last six contests dating back to last season.
• Redshirt freshman Jordan Billingslea (Southfield, Mich.) went 49 yards on his first collegiate kickoff return.  It was the longest by a Warrior since Val Showers had a 58-yard kickoff return last year (10/11/14) at Grand Valley State.
• Mendoza had a touchdown reception for the third consecutive game and notched his first 100-yard receiving effort.
• Sophomore running back Romello Brown (Westland, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) recorded his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game.
• Zezula threw his first collegiate interception on his 79th attempt.

WARRIOR TEAM TIDBITS

• The 31 points allowed by the Warriors were the most since a 33-30 setback at Northern Michigan on Oct. 18, 2014.

 
LEADING THE WARRIORS

• Zezula completed 11-of-19 passes for 206 yards and two scores with one interception.
• Hicks had a team-high five receptions.
• Mendoza led the Warriors with 102 receiving yards on two catches.
• Brown rushed for 119 yards on 15 carries.
• Junior tight end Trent Brodbeck (Toledo, Ohio / St. John's Jesuit) extended his reception streak to 10 games with one catch for 27 yards.
• Senior safety Zak Bielecki (Macomb, Mich. / Lutheran North) had a team-best six solo tackles.

THE FINAL STATISTICS

• After allowing 128 second-half yards through the first three games combined, the WSU defense surrendered 265 yards on 30 plays after intermission.
• WSU held a 129-105 advantage in rushing yards.
• Northwood totaled 337 passing yards to 206 for Wayne State.
• The Timberwolves recorded 442 yards of total offense compared to WSU's 335.
• NU led in time of possession 32:54 to 27:06.
• The Warriors were 1-of-3 in the red zone (downs and interception), while Northwood was 3-of-4.

 

• UP NEXT
  The Warriors will play their second consecutive road contest next week as they travel to Tiffin University for a 3 p.m. kickoff.