WHEELING, W.Va. (Sept. 8) – The Wheeling Jesuit football team defeated Hocking College 38-14 in its first-ever home game at Bishop Schmitt Field on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

After a blocked field goal and a fumble inside their opponent's 10-yard line, the Cardinals were able to put the first points on the board when running back Cam'Ron McClain (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg) punched the ball into the end zone from one yard out with 2:20 remaining in the first quarter.

Immediately following the score, Head Coach Zac Bruney called an onside kick that was recovered by the Cardinals. A scoring drive ensued that ended with quarterback Tucker Strachan (Kensington, Md./Bullis) throwing a fade to receiver Ryan LaFollette (Woodsfield, Ohio/Monroe Central) in the back of the end zone for WJU's second touchdown to make the score 14-0 with 14:45 left in the second quarter.

The Hawks responded quickly with a scoring drive of their own that finished with receiver Dennis Smith coming down with the ball in the corner of the end zone to make the score 14-7.

WJU then went on to score 24-unanswered points with touchdowns from McClain, receiver Kiaran Turner (Orange Park, Fla./Ridgeview), and tailback Sy Alli IV (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy) along with a 25-yard field goal conversion from kicker Matthew Greenwood (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville).

The WJU defense had an impressive overall performance. The unit did not allow a first down in the entire first quarter and forced four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions), including interceptions by linebacker Ryan Gorman (Millersville, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) and defensive back Dylan Baker (Woodsfield, Ohio/Wheeling Central). Defensive ends Brandon Munoz (Halethorpe, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) and Brody Lundeen (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) kept the pressure on the opposing quarterback throughout the game, as each came up with huge sacks.

The Cardinals will face the Muskingum University junior varsity team in their next game on Sunday, September 16 at Bishop Schmitt Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.