Courtesy of Wayne State Athletics
DETROIT - The Wayne State University football team had its three-game winning streak snapped with a 40-35 setback to visiting Ashland University Saturday afternoon at WSU's Adams Field.
The Warriors never trailed in the first half and led 28-20 at intermission. The teams combined for 27 points (four touchdowns) in the opening 15 minutes with only missed PAT by the Eagles preventing the score being tied at 14.
Just under five minutes into the second quarter, WSU sophomore quarterback Mickey Mohner (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey) completed a 16-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Troy Burrell (Port Huron, Mich.) to put the hosts ahead 21-13. It was the second TD reception of the afternoon by Burrell, who opened the scoring with a 41-yard touchdown catch from Moher on WSU's first possession of the contest.
AU quarterback Taylor Housewright had a five-yard TD run on the ensuing drive to pull the visitors within one at 21-20.
Mohner had his fourth touchdown pass of the first half on WSU's next possession, this one a five-yard catch by junior running back Josh Renel (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) to complete the first half scoring.
Both quarterbacks completed 14 passes in the opening 30 minutes with Mohner throwing for 198 yards and the aforementioned four scores, while Housewright had 159 yards passing and one touchdown.
The first three drives of the second half resulted in punts, with the Eagles driving 75 yards in 11 plays on their second possession to pull within one at 28-27 on a D.J. McCoy one-yard touchdown run.
Following an exchange of punts, WSU drove to the AU 35, but a 52-yard field goal attempt by Warrior freshman Stefan Terleckyj (Warren, Mich./Warren Mott) was just short.
The Eagles went 65 yards in six plays with Christian Livingston hauling in a 51-yard touchdown pass on a third-and-eight to put Ashland ahead 33-28. The two-point conversion pass was intercepted in the end zone by WSU senior Stan Thornton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow).
On the fourth play of the WSU drive, freshman running back Toney Davis (Muskegon Hts., Mich./Muskegon) was stretching for a first down when Tyler McFarlin forced a fumble that was recovered by Julian Goodwine.
Four plays later, Ashland a 40-28 advantage after a seven-yard touchdown pass from Housewright to Joe Horn.
WSU drove to the AU 23 but a fourth-down pass was incomplete. The Warrior defense forced a punt following a sack by senior defensive end Daunte Akra (Detroit, Mich./Kettering).
Mohner found Burrell behind the Eagle defense for a 60-yard touchdown on the very next play with 2:42 left in the game. Junior offensive tackle Joe Long (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer East) attempted an onside kick by it was recovered by Livingston and Ashland ran out the clock.
McCoy rushed for a game-high 120 yards on 35 carries. WSU had 85 yards rushing on 26 attempts with Davis gaining 54 yards on 15 carries. Renel had 31 yards on 11 carries.
Housewright completed 21-of-30 for 272 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Mohner finished with 30 completions in 45 attempts for 355 yards and five touchdowns with one interception.
Ten (10) different Warriors had receptions led by Burrell, who caught a game-best 12 balls for 187 yards and three scores. Livingston had five catches for 124 yards for the Eagles, while Horn recorded a team-high six receptions for AU.
Wayne State completes its two-game home stand with a noon kickoff on Oct. 23 against GLIAC South Division leading Hillsdale College.