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Hillsdale, Mich. -- The Wayne State University football team regained sole possession of first place in the GLIAC with a thrilling 27-24 double overtime win at Hillsdale College Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors improve to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the GLIAC with the victory, while the Chargers fall to 5-3 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

Hillsdale took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in four plays with Joe Glendening catching a 37-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Mifsud.

Following a missed field goal by the Warriors late in the opening stanza, the Chargers gained 61 yards in 13 plays but a third down pass from Mifsud was intercepted at the six by junior safety Mazen Jaddou (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice), who was subbing for the injured Kenny Loney.

The WSU offense capitalized on the turnover with a 14-play, 87-yard touchdown drive with sophomore running back Toney Davis (Muskegon Hts., Mich./Muskegon) scoring on a four-yard run. It was Davis' eighth touchdown run of the season.  Stefan Terleckyj (Warren, Mich./Warren Mott) made the PAT to knot the game at seven with 7:03 left before intermission.

Senior Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) returned the Charger punt on the ensuing possession 21 yards to the WSU 32.

Junior quarterback Mickey Mohner (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey) completed a 10-yard pass to senior Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) on a third-and-10 to sustain the Warrior drive. Mohner completed a 23-yard pass to sophomore Dominique Maybanks (Muskegon, Mich.) and a 26-yard toss to Renel on the next two plays moving the WSU offense to the Hillsdale nine.  After a negative rushing play, Burrell made an outstanding catch for a 13-yard touchdown reception.  Burrell moved into a second-place tie with Jimmy Hill (1996-98) with 21 career touchdown catches.

After three punts (two by WSU and one by Hillsdale) to start the second half, the Chargers drove from their own 26 to the Wayne State seven.  On a second down play, Glendening fumbled with the Warriors recovering.

WSU garnered three first downs on the ensuing drive, but was forced to punt.

Junior cornerback Aaron Cornett (South Lyon, Mich.) picked off a Mifsud's pass on the fifth play of the Charger drive inside Hillsdale territory.  However, the Warriors were only able to gain one first down and Terleckyj's punt was nearly downed at the one but the final result was a touchback.

Hillsdale put together an 80-yard drive aided by a 40-yard reception when the officials ruled that Andrew Mott had placed a foot inbounds after juggling the catch. HC converted three consecutive fourth down plays, first on a 17-yard reception by Cam White on a fourth-and-eight, an offsides call on WSU on a fourth-and-two, and a one-yard touchdown catch by White with 11.3 seconds left in regulation.

In the first overtime, Renel gained 10, nine, four and two yards to tally his first touchdown of the game.  Mifsud completed two-of-three passes for 24 yards with the touchdown coming on a six-yard completion to Evan Bach in the back of the end zone.

After the Warrior defense did not allow a first down in the second overtime, Charger place-kicker Colin McGreevy connected on a 49-yard field goal attempt putting the Chargers in front 24-21.

On WSU's first play of the second extra session, Renel gained eight yards and completed the road victory with a 17-yard scamper into the end zone, breaking two tackles along the way, and setting off a Warrior celebration.

Renel finished with career-highs in rushing yards (193) and attempts (36).  Mohner completed 10-of-21 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.  Burrell led the Warrior receivers with four catches for 37 yards, while Renel garnered a team-best 47 receiving yards.

Including his one kickoff return and one punt return, Renel had 272 all-purpose yards, a season-best, and third-most in his collegiate career.

Glendening led Hillsdale with 21 carries for 79 yards, while Mifsud completed 27-of-42 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns, but was picked off twice.

Wayne State will play two of its final three regular-season games at home starting with next Saturday's noon contest against Saginaw Valley.  Kickoff at Adams Field is slated for noon on Kids Day with the annual Trick-or-Treat with the Warriors taking place at halftime.

Notes: 

Paul Winters became WSU's all-time leader in coaching wins with 43.  Joseph G. Gembis (1932-45) had held the mark of 42 victories for the last 66 years.

It was WSU's second overtime win in the Winters' era.  His first coaching victory was a 24-21 overtime win at Indianapolis on Sept. 25, 2004.  The Warriors had lost their last two overtime contests (35-28 at home vs. Findlay on Sept. 22, 2007; and 58-50 in triple overtime the Saturday before [Sept. 15, 2007] at Mercyhurst).

Today's win was Wayne State's first at Hillsdale since a 27-21 Warrior triumph on Oct. 14, 2000.

The Warrior defense held the nation's third-leading rusher (Glendening) to 79 yards rushing (he was averaging 156.6 yards per game).  Glendening also entered the week first in Division II in all-purpose yards per game at 209, but was held to 129 yards (79 rushing, 39 receiving, 11 kickoff returns).

Mifsud had only been intercepted twice in the first seven games, the WSU defense recorded two picks (Jaddou and Cornett) today.

Hillsdale entered the contest 28th nationally averaging 212 rushing yards per game but the Wayne State defense limited the Chargers to 105 yards.

Renel began the week 34th in Division II in rushing (90.86) yards per contest, and more than doubled his average with a career-high 193 rushing yards.

HC was one of the best in the country in third-down percentage (60-111/54.1 percent) but only managed 36 percent (5-of-14) against the Warriors.

The 2011 Wayne State senior class has tied the school mark for victories in a four-year period with 30 (30-11).  The 1974-77 teams under legendary (and WSU Hall of Fame) coach Dick Lowry compiled a 30-12 record.

Mohner became WSU's all-time leader in passing yards with his five-yard completion midway through the fourth quarter to Renel.  Michael Gluski (1994-98) held the previous mark at 4,836 yards.  Mohner has 4,838 passing yards.

Renel also tied L.C. Bulger III (1983-87) for sixth place on the all-time rushing touchdowns chart with 22.  Craig Duppong (2002-03) is fifth with 23 rushing touchdowns.

Burrell surpassed Nick Body (2002-03, 05-06) for third place on the all-time receiving yards list with 2,449.