T'Wolves fall to Warriors, 31-19
DETROIT -- The Northwood University football team opened the 2010 season with a 31-19 loss at Wayne State Saturday afternoon (Sept. 4).
The contest was a non-GLIAC game, as the two teams will not play each other in conference action this season.
Northwood opened the scoring at the 11:14 mark. Senior back O'Neil Thomas (Linden, N.J.) capped a six-play, 52-yard drive with a two-yard run. Pat Sijan's (Novi, Mich.) extra point made the score 7-0.
WSU responded with a touchdown just over four minutes later to even the score, but Northwood came back with a touchdown early in the second quarter. Aaron Shavers (Detroit, Mich./Inkster) scrambled out of pressure and broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run. . A missed extra point made the score 13-7.
The Warriors controlled the rest of the first half, scoring a pair of touchdowns on one yard runs to send the game to the half with the score 21-13 WSU. Wayne State had a 246-140 advantage in total yards in the first half, including a 108-0 edge in passing yards.
Wayne State extended the lead to 28-13 late in the third quarter before the Timberwolves got back on the scoreboard. Jordan Jonker (Hudsonville, Mich.) finished off a 56 yard drive with a two yard touchdown run, making the score 28-19.
That was as close as the Timberwolves would get in the game, as the Warriors connected on a 23-yard field goal with 2:33 remaining to cap the scoring.
For the game, Wayne State finished with a 441-192 advantage in total yards. WSU out-rushed NU 329-164 and finished with a 112-28 edge in passing yards.
Shavers led Northwood with 65 yards rushing for the game. Andrew DeWeerd (Hudsonville, Mich.) led the defensive effort with 12 tackles.
Northwood will travel to Ohio Dominican to open up GLIAC play next Saturday (September 11). Game time is set for Noon.
