Story, photo courtesy of Wayne State University Athletics.

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DETROIT -- The Wayne State University football team (1-4 overall, 0-1 GLIAC) led 21-17 at halftime of its annual Homecoming contest, but the visiting Wildcats of Northern Michigan University (3-2 overall, 1-0 GLIAC) outscored the Warriors 20-9 over the final 30 minutes to post a 37-30 win at Tom Adams Field.

After the WSU defense began the game with a three-and-out, the Warriors offense went 55 yards in seven plays with sophomore quarterback Josh Kulka (Clinton Twp., Mich. / Chippewa Valley) scoring on a 12-yard keeper.  The big play of the drive was a 23-yard reception by junior Kendall Williams (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Farmington) on third-and-five, which put Wayne State in the red zone.

Freshman place-kicker Hadi Jawad (Dearborn, Mich. / Dearborn) had his first of four touchbacks, but NMU covered 75 yards in just four plays (1:26 on the clock) and running back Tyshon King scampered 62 yards to knot the game at 7-7.

The Warriors responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:24.  Graduate student Karmi Mackey (Tampa, Fla. / Seffner Christian Academy) rumbled in on third-and-goal.  Mackey had a 12-yard reception on the second play of the drive, and Kulka scrambled for 17 yards on second-and-15 giving WSU a first-and-goal.

Northern Michigan tied the game at 14-14 with a 12-play, 75 =yard touchdown drive on the ensuing possession.  Quarterback Zach Keen concluded the drive with a one-yard plunge almost three minutes into the second period.

Wayne State put together its third consecutive touchdown drive going 75 yards in eight plays.  Freshman wideout A.J. Nichols (Wauwatosa, Wis. / Wauwatose East) had a 49-yard reception on third-and-14 getting the Warriors across midfield.  Sophomore running back Myren Harris (Clinton Twp., Mich. / Chippewa Valley) fumbled at the one-yard line but Kulka recovered in the end zone.  Sophomore Griffin Milovanski's (Saugatuck, Mich.) third PAT of the game put WSU ahead 21-14 with 8:36 remaining in the first half.

Each team's next possession ended in the punt, before NMU went 81 yards in 13 plays taking the final 2:02 off the clock.  Daniel Riser connected on a 20-yard field goal attempt cutting the Wayne State advantage to 21-17 at intermission.

The Warriors extended their lead to 24-17 going 55 yards in 11 plays following the second half kickoff.  Milovanski converted a 37-yard field goal attempt.  Nichols and sophomore Te'Avion Warren (Flint, Mich. / Davison) had back-to-back receptions of 12 and 15 to move the WSU offense from midfield almost to the red zone.

After Wayne State's drive of over five minutes, Northern Michigan used 5:26 on the clock which consisted of an 11-play, 68-yard field goal drive with Riser making a 27-yard attempt cutting the WSU margin to four at 24-20 with 4:24 left in the third stanza.

Kulka was intercepted on WSU's next drive and it only took the Wildcats 1:55 to take their first lead of the game at 27-24.  Keen had consecutive completions to Wyatt Davis (15 yards) and Kenyon'ta Skinner (14 yards), prior to a seven-yard sack by Warrior freshman Gus Taylor (South Lyon, Mich.).  Davis then hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Keen.

Wayne State was unable to convert on fourth down early in the final period, and NMU extended its lead to 34-24 with 63-yard touchdown drive.  King caught a 19-yard outlet pass from Keen for the score. Following a WSU punt, Rise made a 37-yard field goal attempt, his third made three-pointer of the contest.

The Warriors crossed midfield on the ensuing drive as sophomore Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez (Petoskey, Mich.) had a 25-yard reception on second-and-35.

Kulka slid ont he very next play after getting the first down, but was hit by Brian Schieweck, who was assessed a 15-yard penalty.  After back-to-back incomplete passes by freshman Elijah Taylor (Warren, Ohio / Warren G. Harding), freshman Dion Brown, Jr. (Davison, Mich.) caught a 12-yard pass for a first down.  On third-and-goal, Taylor was sacked with Wildcat Justin Peake recovering the fumble.

Wayne State's defense forced a three-and-out, and Taylor directed a 55-yard touchdown drive in the final 70 seconds.  Brown (18 yards) and Mackey (17 yards) had catches on the first two plays.  Warren added an 11-yard reception, with Taylor scoring on a two-yard plunge on the final play of the game.

Northern Michigan held a 443-437 edge in total offense, along with a 30:08 to 29:52 advantage in time of possession.  Wayne State passed for 299 yards compared to 297 for NMU.  The biggest difference was two turnovers by the Warriors to zero for the Wildcats.

Williams rushed for a team-best 39 yards and added 73 yards on receptions for 112 all-purpose yards.  Kulka completed 13-of-23 passes for 241 yards with one interception, while Taylor was 4-of-11 for 58 yards.  Nichols caught four passes for a team-high 85 receiving yards.

King gained a game-best 94 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).  Keen passed for 297 yards on 23-of-29.  Brenden Sersaw had game-best totals of nine receptions and 146 receiving yards.

Story written by NMU Sports Information

DETROIT, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Football team traveled to Wayne State University to take on the Warriors.

In the first GLIAC matchup of the year, the Wildcats came out on top 37-30.
 

The Warriors won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, so the Wildcats got the ball first. On the Wildcats' opening drive, they went three and out and were forced to punt it away to the Warriors. The Warriors got on the board quickly, converting a twelve-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. 

It didn't take the Wildcats long to answer, as Tyshon King broke free for a 62-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and the game was all square at seven. 

On the Warriors' next possession, they took the ball down the field and converted a one-yard rushing touchdown to put them on top 14-7 late in the first quarter. 

The Wildcats got the ball back and started to move the ball. Zach Keen completed an eight-yard pass to Wyatt Davis. Then Tyshon King had a seven-yard run. Keen then completed his next three passes, one to Charlie Gerhard for 18-yards, and two to Brenden Sersaw for 13-yards and 14-yards. That brought the first quarter to an end.  Warriors 14, Wildcats 7.

As the second quarter began, the Wildcats continued to drive the ball down the field. They got the ball down to the one-yard line, where Zach Keen was able to punch it in for a one-yard rushing touchdown. The game was now 14-14.

After the Wildcat touchdown, the Warriors went down the field and put more points on the board. The Warriors were about to cross the goal line when they fumbled the ball into the endzone but were able to jump on top of it for a touchdown. The Warriors took a 21-14 lead.  

Zach Keen started the next drive for the Wildcats with a twelve-yard completion to Cameron White. They weren't able to move the ball any further and were forced to punt. 

The Warriors didn't do much on their next possession and punted it right back to the Wildcats.

Time was winding down in the second quarter and the Wildcats needed to put points on the board. They started the drive with a 23-yard completion from Zach Keen to Brenden Sersaw. A couple of plays later Keen completed a 29-yard pass to Sersaw. Faced with a 4th and 1, the Wildcats gained a first down off an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Warriors. That got the Wildcats closer to a field goal attempt. Daniel Riser came in and drilled a 20-yard field goal to come within four points at the half.   Warriors 21, Wildcats 17.

The Warriors got the ball to start the second half. They took the ball down the field and were able to kick a 37-yard field goal to go up 24-17.  

On the Wildcats' first possession of the second half, they were able to move the ball down the field and convert a 27-yard field goal to bring the score to 24-20. One of the big plays during the drive was a 38-yard reception by Brenden Sersaw. 

A big turning point in the game came on the Warriors' next possession when Tavion McCarthy came up with a huge interception to give the ball back to the Wildcats. 

After the interception, Zach Keen completed a 15-yard pass to Wyatt Davis for a first down. In the next play, Keen completed a 14-yard pass to Kenyon'TA Skinner for another first down.

After a sack by the Warriors, Zach Keen found Wyatt Davis in the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown. The Wildcats were able to capitalize on the turnover to take a 27-24 lead.

At the end of the third quarter, the score was Wildcats 27, Warriors 24.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were faced with a 4th and 6. The Wildcats' defense came up with a crucial stop to get the ball back.

Brock Franklin got the drive started with a 25-yard rush. A few plays later Zach Keen found Tyshon King for a 19-yard touchdown. This extended the lead to 34-24. 

The Wildcat defense forced another punt from the Warriors on their next possession.  

Daniel Riser was able to connect on another field goal. This one was from 37-yards out. 

The Warriors had to have a sense of urgency when they got the ball back. They were able to move the ball down the field, but the Wildcat defense came away with another takeaway. Brian Schieweck forced a fumble on a sack, the fumble was recovered by Justin Peake. 

The Wildcats ran down the clock and punted it back to the Warriors.

The Warriors were able to put another touchdown on the board but it was too little too late.  

Tyshon King had a 62-yard rushing touchdown to get the Wildcats on the board.  

Zach Keen was able to punch it into the endzone from one yard out.  

Daniel Riser converted a 20-yard field goal right before the half, and then he converted a 27 yard field goal late in the third quarter.  

Tavion McCarthy came away with a massive interception to give the ball back to the Wildcat offense.  

Zach Keen found Wyatt Davis for a 12-yard touchdown to give the Wildcats the lead. 

Zach Keen found Tyshon King for a 19-yard touchdown to extend the Wildcat lead. 

Daniel Riser converted a 37-yard field goal to put the game out of reach. 

The Wildcats' defense came away with two takeaways (an interception and a fumble recovery) and three sacks.

Zach Keen completed 23 of 29 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.  

Tyshon King led the way on the ground with 94-yards on 16 carries. He added a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.  

Brenden Sersaw was the leading receiver for the Wildcats with 9 receptions for 146-yards and a touchdown.  

DJ Hutcherson led the way on defense with seven total tackles. Antonio Howard, John McMullen, and Justin Peake all tallied six total tackles.

Tavion McCarthy came away with an interception.