Warriors Fall At Findlay, 33-21

Steve Wayne

The Wayne State University football team lost a hard-fought, 33-21, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game Saturday night (Sept. 14) at Findlay's Donnell Stadium.

After falling behind 14-3 early in the second quarter, Wayne State rallied for the next 12 points to take a 15-14 lead late in the third quarter.

Both teams exchanged quick touchdowns (Findlay scored in two plays - 41 yards), while WSU running back Thabiti Williamson capped a five-play, 66-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run to put the Warriors back in front 21-20 with 11:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Oilers scored just 31 seconds after Williamson's 10th career rushing touchdown on a 64-yard run by Robert Campbell.

With 5:51 left in the fourth quarter and the Warriors starting a drive at their two-yard line the lights went out in Findlay as a heavy downpour started. After a 15-minute delay, WSU's offense managed two yards in three plays and Randy Hutchison's punt was returned 36 yards by Harry Garland for the game's final touchdown.

WSU place-kicker Stephen Wayne made a career-high three field goals and a career-best 44-yard boot in the first quarter. His previous long was 35 yards in 2001 at Findlay.

Defensively for WSU, safety Mike Nowicki, starting for the injured Qasim Basir, tied for team-high honors with 13 tackles with Derrick Thomas. Defensive end Leo Wells led the Warriors with five tackles for loss, including two sacks. Linebacker Mohamad Bazzi had three tackles behind the line of scrimmage, while fellow linebacker Mike Macek had his first career interception. Cornerback Alvin Mask returned his interception 64 yards. Mask now has four career picks, including one in each game this season.

Craig Duppong led the Warrior running backs with 55 yards on nine carries. Jorge Gomez gained 38 yards on three carries, with Williamson rushing 10 times for 29 yards. Dan Gray completed 10 of 34 passes for 147 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

Roger White, Nate Collins and Mike Johnson each had three receptions. White had a team-high 60 yards receiving, including a career-best 52-yard reception which set up WSU's field goal with 12 seconds left in the first half.

Findlay outgained Wayne State on the ground 246-114 and 189-147 through the air. The Warriors converted two-of-14 third-down conversions while limiting the Oilers to six third-down conversions in 16 opportunities. Findlay also had a sizeable advantage in time of possession (36:43 – 23:17).

The Warriors are now 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the GLIAC, while Findlay improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference. WSU returns home for its home opener on Sept. 21 against the No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State Lakers. Kickoff at WSU Stadium is slated for noon.