DETROIT -- Courtesy: MTU
Battles between nationally-ranked NCAA Division II football programs usually are decided by the big plays. Today the No. 13-ranked Wayne State Warriors did just that and defended their home field by a 27-10 score over No. 19-ranked Michigan Tech.
The Huskies held a 10-6 lead with less than two minutes remaining before halftime and had WSU backed up on its own 17-yard line. Wayne quarterback Mickey Mohner threw the ball deep over the middle. Tech safety Ben Foelker went up for the interception, but had it go through his hands and into the arms of Wayne receiver Troy Burrell, who took all the way down to the three-yard line. The Warriors scored on the next play and took a 13-10 lead into halftime.
Michigan Tech never seemed to recover.
“That play before halftime was a game changer,” said Kearly. “We thought we had the interception and maybe a nice run back the other way, possibly for points. Instead, they catch it and go on to score.”
Wayne State shut out the Huskies for the final 41 minutes of the game. A big part of that was the Warriors defensive front, which kept Tech from getting a running game going. The unit also pressured Huskies’ quarterback Tyler Scarlett for four sacks and three interceptions on the day.
Total offense statistics revealed pretty even numbers. WSU rushed for 156 yards and threw for 197 more for 353 total yards. Tech gained 100 on the ground and 223 through the air for 323.
Tech held a 34:28-to-25:32 advantage in time of possession and were better on third down conversions (7-of-17 compared to 3-of-11), but it didn’t seem to matter.
“Credit Wayne State today,” said Kearly. “They made more big plays and deserved to win the game.”
Mohner finished 11-of-23 for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Tech only sacked him once, however. All-GLIAC defensive end Drew Vanderlin was injured early in the game, no doubt hurting the Huskies’ pass rush.
Tech started the game well, holding the Warriors, then scoring on its first drive with a 32-yard Garrett Mead field goal.
WSU’s Stef Terleckyj answered on the ensuing drive with a 38-yard field goal.
Steve Worthy put the Huskies on top with a 25-yard reception of a nice pass into the endzone by Scarlett at the 11:05 mark of the second quarter. That would be the last points of the day for the Black and Gold.
Wayne State drew within 10-6 on a 28-yard field goal with 5:00 to play in the first half, then took the lead following the 80-yard pass that was nearly intercepted.
Scarlett was intercepted on Tech’s opening drive of the second half. Mohner then found Burrell for a 40-yard touchdown strike to keep the momentum on the Warrior side.
Tech’s offense moved into Wayne territory three times in the second half but yielded no points. Mead missed a 39-yard field goal with seven minutes left in the game that would have drawn the Huskies within a touchdown.
Cedrick Barber rushed eight times for a team-high 34 yards. Scarlett finished the day 19-of-32 for 223 yards.
Worthy, who had the touchdown reception, was the Superior Player of the Game.
Three Huskies paced the defense in tackles: Quinn Parnell, David Russek and Ian Coughlin.
Michigan Tech will try to bounce back next week at home. The Huskies host Indianapolis Saturday (Sept. 24) at 1 p.m. at Sherman Field.
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