Sept. 10, 2011

Detroit, Mich. – The Wayne State University football team (2-0, 1-0 GLIAC) recorded its first shutout since Oct. 18, 2008, on its way to earning a 55-0 victory over visiting Tiffin University on Saturday at Adams Field.

While WSU earned its sixth straight win, its longest since the 1975-76 season, head coach Paul Winters (38-39) moved into a tie-for-second on the WSU all-time career wins list with WSU Hall of Fame inductee Richard Lowry (38-21-1, 1974-79).

In addition, the six-game winning streak is currently the third-best in school history, and is tied with Michigan Tech for longest active (all games) in the GLIAC.

Similar to the Urbana contest, the Warriors scored seven first quarter points and, then, used the second and third quarters to break away.

While the ground game was the difference in the contest as the Warrior offense outgained the Dragons on the ground, 285-33, the passing game is what jump started things.

Dominique Maybanks (Muskegon, Mich. / Muskegon) was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes. The first came at the end of the first quarter when junior Mickey Mohner (Painesville, Ohio / Harvey) hit a wide-open Maybanks along the Tiffin sidelines for a 54-yard score. Less than five minutes into the second quarter, Maybanks hauled in a 28-yard TD pass, and the scoring would start from there.

Senior Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) barreled in from seven yards out with 5:04 left before intermission. A fumble by Tiffin quarterback James Capello, which was recovered by freshman Steve O'Shell (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Warren De La Salle) following a monster hit from senior Ed Viverette (Southfield, Mich. / Brother Rice), set-up the Warriors last score of the half.

On the ensuing play, senior Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich. / Port Huron) grabbed a 29-yard TD reception from Mohner to propel WSU to a 28-0 halftime lead.

It was more of the same for the Warriors in the third quarter as the hosts again put up 21 on the scoreboard. 

Sophomore James Jackson (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge) provided an instant spark, taking the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. It tied Jackson, an Ohio State transfer, for 10th longest kickoff return in school history.

After a Tiffin three-and-out, a short punt (16 yards) gave the WSU offense excellent field position and the hosts capitalized with sophomore Toney Davis capping off the eight-play, 41-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run. 

On the first play of Tiffin's very next possession, Capello was picked off by sophomore safety Antwon Robinson (Southfield, Mich. / Southfield).  It was Robinson's second in as many games this year and the seventh of his career in only 13 games.  Davis added his second touchdown on a one-yard plunge to complete a 10-play scoring drive.

Freshman Desmond Martin (Redford, Mich. / Thurston) capped the scoring on an 11-yard run with 5:48 to play.

WSU led 27-12 in first downs and finished with a 465-181 edge in total offense.  The Warriors converted 6-of-12 third down plays compared to 4-of-14 for the Dragons.

Sophomore linebacker Moe Davenport (Southfield, Mich. / Southfield), subbing for the ailing Raleigh Ross, contributed a team-best six solo tackles and seven total tackles which included two sacks.  All told, the Warriors sacked Capello five times for minus 28 yards and finished the contest with nine tackles for loss (-42 yards).  Freshman linebacker Nores Fradi (Dearborn Hts., Mich. / Dearborn) had two tackles for loss, while junior cornerback Aaron Cornett (South Lyon, Mich. / South Lyon) added two pass break-ups and four tackles (3-1).

Wayne State concludes its three-game homestand to start the year with a noon kickoff on Sept. 17 vs. Michigan Tech.  It will be WSU's 75th Homecoming game.

GAME NOTES

* Renel recorded his sixth straight 100-yard rushing game.

* Mohner recorded three touchdown passes for the fourth time in his career.

* Troy Burrell extended his game reception streak to 24 after catching three passes for 56 yards and one touchdown.

* The passing efficiency mark of 225.1 garnered by Mohner and back-up Sean Guinane (St. Joseph, Mich. / St. Joseph) was the highest in at least a decade.

* WSU has started 2-0 for the second consecutive year and has won seven of its last eight home contests.

* Next Saturday's game will be the 75th Homecoming contest in school history.  The first Homecoming match was in 1935 (no game in 1943).  The Warriors have won their last six Homecoming games.