Wheeling, W. Va. - Last week, the Wheeling University Football team (3-3, 3-2) nearly completed a come from behind victory but ended up falling to UNC Pembroke 34-28. This week, they are back out on the road as they head to Frostburg, Maryland, looking for a bounce-back when they take on the Bobcats with kick-off scheduled for 2 PM.
Early on, things didn't go the Cardinal's way as they fell behind 24-9 in the first half but had momentum on their side heading into the locker room thanks to a touchdown pass to Ryan LaFollette in the waning seconds of the first half. The offense came out of the second half on fire, putting up 19 points, but the lead was too much for the Cardinals to overcome as they fell to UNC Pembroke 34-28. Wheeling outscored the Braves 19-10 in the second half and is looking to bring that momentum with them this time out.
The Cardinals defense, who has been one of the top units in the MEC this season, were tagged for a season-high 34 points last week, 24 of those coming in the first half. However, in the second half, the Cardinals returned to their stout ways, holding UNC Pembroke to just ten points in the second half. Linebacker Josiah Wright had his best game of the season, leading the team with seven tackles, one of those being for loss. Wheeling has now allowed the third-fewest points per game in the MEC (16.2) and will be looking for the defense to drive them once again.
On the offensive side of the ball, the aerial attack was led by quarterback Brennon Norris, who set a new career-high with 338 yards passing in the game and three touchdowns. He spread the ball around nicely, hitting six different receivers in the game, but he was also hurt by four interceptions in the game. Jaquan Davidson was his most reliable target on the day, pulling down seven catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. LaFollette caught the other touchdown right before halftime and finished the day with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The ground game was working well once again for the Cardinals as they fell just shy of the 100-yard rushing mark. Running back Sy Alli IV led that attack with 97 yards on the ground, missing his third-straight 100-yard game by four yards. As a unit, Wheeling gained 123 yards in the game but netted 96 yards to bring them under the 100-yard mark.
With the loss, Wheeling joins five other teams in the MEC with a record of 3-2 in conference play in what is a jumbled-up conference. Of the 12 teams, eight are either in first place or within one game of the first-place spot. Sitting atop the conference are Notre Dame College, The University of Charleston, and Wheeling's Saturday opponent Frostburg State, each sitting with a record of 4-1. Following them are Wheeling, UNC Pembroke, West Liberty, WV State, and Fairmont State, sitting at 3-2. If Wheeling can defeat Frostburg State, they would pull into a possible first or second-place tie with the Bobcats depending on what happens around the league.
The Match-up
Wheeling and Frostburg State have matched up twice previously, with Wheeling dropping both of those contests. Wheeling is averaging 16 points per game against the Bobcats, while the defense has allowed an average of 32 points per game. Their last match-up came in the spring of 2021 and was the closest Wheeling has come to knocking off the Bobcats when they fell 27-20.
Former Cardinals quarterback Jalen Lea got the start and led the offense going 12-26, with 176 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. LaFollette led the receiving attack with five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in the game, and Davidson caught the other touchdown pass and had 26 yards receiving on two catches in the loss.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 PM in Frostburg, Maryland. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
