Timberwolves defeat Warriors, 38-24

FARMINGTON HILLS -- The Northwood University football team earned its first road victory of the season Saturday afternoon (October 31), claiming a 38-24 win at Wayne State.

Northwood is now 6-3 overall and in the GLIAC. Wayne State stands at 6-4 overall, 5-4 in the GLIAC.

Both offenses were on fire in the opening quarter, as the two teams combined for five touchdowns and 389 yards of offense. Northwood opened the game by going 83 yards on nine plays, capped by a Jimmy Parsons (Midland, Mich.) two-yard run to put Northwood up early. The Warriors wasted no time in responding, scoring three plays later to even the score.

With the score tied at seven, the Timberwolves used great field position and went 37 yards on five plays and took the lead back on an O'Neil Thomas (Linden, N.J.. 22-yard run. The Warriors then made it four touchdowns on four possessions in the game on Joique Bell's second TD of the game. The WSU made extra point gave the Warriors a 14-13 lead.

The scoring streak to open the game wasn't over yet, as Jarrett Beavers (Detroit, Mich./Rock Valley College) sprung a 65-yard touchdown run just 43 seconds after the WSU TD to put NU up 20-14 after one quarter.

The second quarter was dominated by Northwood, as the Timberwolves out-scored Wayne State 18-0 and finished with significant advantages in total yards (182-9), rushing yards (157-5) and time of possession (12:10-2:50). Spencer Klukowski (Rockford, Mich.) made the score 26-14 on a 14-yard run with 8:37 left in the half. The scored remained that way until the final moments, when Northwood Simon Cholometes (Sturgis, Mich./White Pigeon) scored from 13-yards out with 14 seconds left in the half to make the score 32-14. After an interception by Robert Cross (Brown City, Mich.) on the next WSU play, Northwood took over on the WS 27 yard line with time for one play. Klukowski lofted a pass to the end zone, which was pulled down by senior Donny Knoll (Warren, Mich./Woods Tower) to give Northwood another touchdown and extend the lead to 38-14 at the break. The Timberwolves scored touchdowns on six of their first seven possessions of the first half.

The third quarter was scoreless, but the Timberwolves continued their dominance in time of possession. Northwood held the ball for 13:33 of the third quarter, compared to 2:27 for Wayne State. Time of possession through three quarter was in advantage of Northwood 33:16-11:44.

The lone TD of the final quarter came on a 99-yard touchdown drive by Wayne State early in the fourth. That proved to be the final score of the day, as Northwood kept the ball away from Wayne State in the final minutes to earn the win.

For the game, Northwood finished with a 496-454 advantage in total yards and a 26-18 edge in first downs. Final time of possession advantage for Northwood was 40:29-19:31.

Anthony Brandon (Lansing, Mich./Sexton) led the Timberwolves with 107 yards, finishing as one of four Timberwolves with more than 60 yards on the ground.

Northwood will travel to Michigan Tech Saturday for the regular season finale. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.