Brown Begins 2001 Harlon Hill Trophy Campaign
Wayne State University senior wide receiver Pierre Brown (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield) got his 2001 Harlon Hill Trophy candidacy going against Division IAA Northern Iowa Thursday, Aug. 30 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Brown, who led the NCAA-II in receiving yards per game last season, caught five passes for 67 net yards in the 34-14 season-opening loss for Wayne State. Brown scored the Warriors’ lone offensive touchdown against Northern Iowa, with a 28-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Jason Charron (Clinton Township, MI/Clintondale) that capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with 7:54 remaining in the opening quarter. It was WSU’s lone lead in the contest. With his 67 net yards receiving, Brown moves his career total to 2,252. He remains second on the Warriors’ all-time list behind Ray Ponder’s (1989-92) 2,655 net receiving yards. Brown’s touchdown reception added to his WSU career record that now stands at 27.
Warriors Drop Season Opener At Division IAA Northern Iowa
Wayne State’s 34-14 loss at Northern Iowa last Thursday, Aug. 30 was the Warriors’ eighth straight season-opening loss. The last time WSU won a season-opener was 1993 against Indianapolis, 34-31. It was also Wayne’s first meeting against a Division IAA opponent since the 1986 season. That season WSU defeated Illinois State 17-13 to move to 2-1-0 overall.
Collins Leads Warriors in Rushing and Total Yardage
Making his first appearance as a Warrior, junior runningback Nate Collins (Detroit, MI) led WSU in rushing with 75 net yards on 13 carries. As a team Wayne netted only 95 yards on 20 attempts. Collins also saw extensive special teams duties against Northern Iowa, including scoring his first WSU touchdown on a blocked punt return. Collins blocked a Panther punt late in the fourth quarter on Wayne’s 49-yard-line, and he then picked up the ball at the Northern Iowa 40, returning it for the score. Collins’ touchdown with 4:19 remaining ended the game’s scoring. Collins finished with five receptions for 14 net yards, and he also returned two kickoffs for 38 yards. He had 178 total net yards for WSU.
Offensive Line Protects Charron
Wayne State’s offensive line didn’t allow senior quarterback Jason Charron (Clinton Township, MI/Clintondale) to be sacked. Charron attempted 41 passes, completing 19 and throwing for 163 net yards. He also threw three interceptions. With his 163-yard effort at Northern Iowa, Charron moved into third place on the Warriors’ all-time new yards passing list with 3,877. He passed Rich Popp’s (1983-86) 3,719-yard career effort, and Charron now trails Mark Friday’s (1991-93) career mark of 4,425 net passing yards. Michael Gluski (1994-95, 97-98) holds the all-time record with 4,836 net yards.
Northern Iowa QB Sacked Three Times
While Wayne’s offensive line was impenetrable, the Warriors’ sacked Northern Iowa’s QB three times for 18 yards in losses. Junior outside linebacker Terrance Towns (Detroit, MI/Detroit Cass Tech) had one of the Warriors’ sacks, for a two-yard loss. Junior defensive lineman Craig Jobe (Temperance, MI/Ida) also had one quarterback sack for an eight-yard loss.
Mask Leads WSU In Tackles
Redshirt freshman defensive back Alvin Mask (Lansing, MI/Lansing Sexton) led both teams in tackles with 12 total. Mask had 10 unassisted tackles, and he added one tackle for a nine-yard loss by the Panthers. Mask also had Wayne’s lone interception in the contest, which he returned for two yards. The Northern Iowa contest was Mask’s first collegiate game.
Wayne State Plays Second Straight Night Game in GLIAC Opener
Ashland University hosts Wayne State Saturday, Sept. 8 at Community Stadium in Ashland, Ohio. Game time is 7 p.m. EDT. This marks the Warriors’ second straight night game. This season Wayne plays four games under the lights. The Ashland contest marks the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Last season the Eagles finished tied for fifth in the GLIAC at 5-5 along with Ferris State and Michigan Tech. Overall the Eagles were 6-5. WSU tied for eighth in the GLIAC at 4-6 with Mercyhurst. Wayne will be looking to break a six-game losing streak to Ashland. The Eagles are 14-2-0 against Wayne State. The last time WSU defeated Ashland was also the same season the Warriors won their only game at Community Stadium, 16-15 in 1994.
Coming Up Next
Wayne State opens its 2001 home season at Wayne State Stadium Saturday, Sept. 15 against Mercyhurst College. Game time is 12 noon EDT. Plenty of tickets remain for the Great Lakes Conference contest. There will be a pre-game and halftime ceremony for the unveiling of the new Victory Bell. A Paul Revere-type bell, it will be placed at Wayne State Stadium.
