Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Football team (5-4, 5-3) didn't get into the end zone all that often on Saturday, but it didn't matter as two late field goals lifted them to a 15-14 victory over Concord. After allowing two early scores to the Mountain Lions, the defense was stingy throughout the second half, and allowed their offense to fight back into the game.

In the first half, it was all about that defense as they were responsible for all of the Cardinals scoring in the first half. It started right from the get-go when kicker Matt Greenwood pinned Concord at their own nine-yard line on the opening kick-off. The defense would start the day with a three-and-out, and forced a Mountain Lion punt. However, the snap was fumbled by the punter, and he had to jump on it in the endzone for a safety. It would give Wheeling a 2-0 lead, and gave them the ball back at the 50-yard line. However, the team's would trade punts on the next seven possessions as no one was able to move the ball.

However, with two minutes left in the first quarter, the defense would strike on a second and eight. Josiah Wright would make an interception at his own five yard line, and returned the ball 95-yards for a pick six that increased the Cardinals lead to 9-0 by the end of the first quarter. It was Wright's second pick-six in as many weeks, and Wheeling was sitting comfortably with that 9-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, the offensive woes would continue for the Cardinals, and the Mountain Lions responded with 14 unanswered points in the second quarter.

Their first score came with five minutes left in the half when quarterback Jack Mangel hit Zion Barrette in the endzone for a 20-yard touchdown that made it 9-7. On their next drive, Concord was back on the board was they drove 92 yards before Mangel and Barrette connected for their second score of the day, that brought the game to 14-9. The team's entered halftime with that score standing and Wheeling trying to get some offense going. They went with quarterback Chad Palmer at the end of the first half, and he was set to come back out in half number two as Wheeling was looking to get going.

Both teams went with the ground game more, and it seemed to pay off. However, with more ground action meant the clock didn't stop nearly as much, resulting in just three third quarter times combined for the two teams. Wheeling stopped Concord twice in the quarter, and Wheeling was unable to score as we headed into the fourth quarter with the game still sitting at 14-7. Then, Wheeling came out for their first drive of the fourth quarter, and went 78 yards in just under five minutes to get into field goal range. Greenwood nailed the field goal to cap off the drive, and with five minutes to play it was just a two point game.

Wheeling got the ball back after a quick stop by their defense with five minutes remaining on the clock. They were faced with a third and six in their own territory, when Jake Keenan came up with a game-saving grab at the 50-yard line as he dove to make the catch and pick-up the first down. Wheeling drove to the Concord five yard line, and brought Matt Greenwood in to give them the lead. Greenwood nailed the kick, and gave Wheeling the 15-14 lead. After one last stop from the Wheeling defense, the game came to an end, as Wheeling picked up their fifth conference win of the season.

Palmer got the majority of the snaps at quarterback on the day, and finished 11-27 throwing for 167 yards. Sy Alli IV picked up another 100-yard effort, as he finished with 104 yards on the ground and needs just 140 yards over his final two games to become the school's first 1,000-yard rusher. Josiah Wright led the defensive effort with his pick six, while recording three tackles. Jayvon Johnson led the unit with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks in the victory.

The Wheeling Football team is back in action next Saturday when they go on the road to face the University of Charleston with kick-off at noon.