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The fifth-year senior went over 100 yards receiving for the sixth game in a row Saturday, catching six passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the Warriors rolled past Northern State 49-20 at Maxwell Field at Alltel Stadium.
Peters leads the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in receiving yards (858), touchdowns (nine), yards per game (122.6) and yards per reception (21.5).
“He’s probably the best football player in the conference,” Northern State coach Chris Boden said. “He’s a very special athlete. He’s big, he’s smooth; he’s a very special football player.”
Like All-American receivers Chris Samp and Brian Hynes before him, Peters has flourished in the Warriors’ high-scoring offense.
“I think a lot of it has to do with coach Walch working with me, fine tuning some stuff,” Peters said, referring to co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Carson Walch. “It’s really nothing big. I’m just getting open and Drew’s been putting some good balls on me.”
For his career, Peters has 135 receptions for 2,465 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 100-yard receiving games.
“Whatever I get, I get. It’s no big deal,” Peters said. “But I’ll give my best shot and see how she turns out.”
SPEAKING OF OFFENSE: WSU’s season-high 537 yards of offense was its highest total since putting up 539 on Wayne State on Oct. 29, 2005.
The Warriors’ season-high 220 rushing yards was their highest total since gaining 255 last season against Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 4, 2006.
“We take a lot of pride in our running game,” WSU offensive line coach Jason Eck said. “That’s something I think is really going to carry us as we come down to the heart of the season.”
Going into the game, the Warriors led the conference in passing offense (282 yards per game) and were third in rushing offense (154.3).
PASS-HAPPY WOLVES: NSU attempted 58 passes in defeat. It was a sizable total even for a team known for its tendency to let it fly.
Despite NSU’s 58-18 pass-to-run ratio, the Warriors held their ground, allowing 329 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.
“Especially with that no-huddle, they keep you on your toes,” WSU defensive end Dave Braun said. “It gets a little tiring at times. We gave up some yards, but I think we stopped them when we needed to.”
ROSS RATIO: Promising WSU backup quarterback Amir Ross made his fifth appearance of the season and led the Warriors on his first career scoring drive late in the fourth quarter.
The redshirt freshman completed 3 of 4 passes for 29 yards. He had two completions on the Warriors’ final scoring drive — a nine-play, 70-yard drive capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Darren Davis.
“He went in and ran the offense well,” WSU coach Tom Sawyer said. “That’s what I want to see. I want to see him drop back, hit three steps and throw the football. He did that well today.”
BACKERS ON THE MEND: The Warriors played without injured starting linebackers Marcus LaBadie (knee) and Brent Yule (ankle).
Sawyer said he expected both to return next weekend.
“They don’t have crutches anymore,” he said. “So right now we’re hoping they’re ready to go for Saturday (against Bemidji State).”
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