Sept. 17, 2008

Detroit Free Press article on WSU Football player Dante Dunn.

Wayne State finds way to get it Dunn

Safety leads 'D,' helps team score

BY GEORGE SIPPLE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • September 17, 2008

Dante Dunn has been something special for Wayne State this season.

The senior safety from Lansing Waverly has helped the Warriors score special-teams touchdowns in each of their first three games. And his play last week helped Wayne State post its first shutout since 1992 -- a span of 156 games.

"He creates excitement," Wayne State coach Paul Winters said. "He creates big plays, which I think energizes the team."

After returning kickoffs for touchdowns in each of Wayne State's first two games, Dunn blocked a punt last week at home against Indianapolis. Wayne State freshman Nick Thomas grabbed the football in the end zone, giving Wayne State a 6-0 lead with 2:02 left in the first quarter. Those would be the only points scored by either team.

Dunn finished with a team-high four pass breakups and seven tackles.

This week, Wayne State (2-1, 1-1) visits Findlay (2-1, 1-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Dunn credits his blockers for touchdowns on the kickoff returns.

"They do a heck of a job blocking for me," he said. "They work their butts off." He said he broke a couple arm tackles, "but for the most part, I haven't been touched."

"I just hope every time I touch the ball I can make something happen," he said. "It might not be the most spectacular play in the world, but hopefully it's something that can make our team win the game."

The Warriors ranked last in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in total defense last season, giving up 261.1 yards per game. They ranked 11th in scoring defense, allowing 34.8 points per game.

Through three games, Wayne State's defense ranks second in scoring defense, allowing 11.0 points.

"Last year, we didn't have the greatest season defensively," Dunn said. "We just want people to respect us. Every game, every second of the game, we need to prove Wayne State's defense is serious."

Dunn leads the Warriors with 25 solo tackles, 35 total tackles and four pass breakups. He also has a forced fumble, an interception and a tackle for loss.

And he leads the Warriors in scoring with two touchdowns -- a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 14-10 home win over Mercyhurst on Aug. 30 and an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 23-17 loss at Saginaw Valley State on Sept. 6.

Can Dunn keep it up?

"I'm real confident in myself," Dunn said. "I feel I should make a couple plays a game, whether it's on special teams or defense."

Contact GEORGE SIPPLE at 313-223-4796 or gsipple@freepress.com.