Wheeling, W. Va. - Over the last two weeks of the season, the Wheeling University Football team (5-4, 5-3) have scored dramatic come from behind wins over West Liberty and Concord to move to 5-3 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play. They head out on the road for their week 10 match-up as they look to make it three wins in a row when they take on The University of Charleston at noon.
On senior day, the Cardinals were able to score a 15-14 win over Concord thanks to a pair of late field goals from senior Matt Greenwood. His game-winning kick came with six minutes left on the clock from 22-yards out as he split the uprights and gave Wheeling the three points they needed to grab their fifth win of the season. Wheeling was unable to score an offensive touchdown in the game, but the defense did more than enough to get their team the victory.
Leading the way was cornerback Josiah Wright, who finished the day with three tackles, one for loss, a safety, and an interception in the win. That interception went for a 95-yard pick six, and was the second pick six for Wright in as many weeks. The Redshirt Sophomore from Loganville, Georgia has been an integral part of the Cardinals defensive game plan. Senior Jermichael Isom came up with the other interception while racking up five tackles on the day and Jayvon Johnson added a team-high eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a half a sack.
On offense, the ground game kept its success going on the backs of another 100-yard rushing performance for Sy Alli IV. Alli carried the ball 24 times on the day for 104 yards and is now just 140 yards away from becoming the school's first-ever 1,000-yard rusher. Quarterback Chad Palmer saw the most action of his young career, going 11-27 throwing for 167 yards on the day. The Cardinals offense is looking to get going in week 10 after not registering an offensive touchdown in the game against Concord.
Wheeling was able to maintain its tie for third place in the MEC with the win last week, as they improved to 5-3 and are tied with West Virginia State for third place. Each team sits one game behind UNC Pembroke and Charleston, and two games behind Frostburg State and Notre Dame College for the top spot in the MEC. With a win this week, Wheeling could jump a spot in the standings and tie for second place in the conference. With the regular season coming down to the wire, Wheeling is looking to secure the first winning season in program history, and can do that with a win on Saturday.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Golden Eagles have met up just one time previously on October 5th, 2019. It was a game that did not go in Wheeling's favor as they fell 52-19 to Charleston. The offense was able to secure two passing touchdowns in the game, both going to Jaquan Davidson, but it wasn't enough to overcome a high-powered Charleston offense.
Davidson made a total of seven catches in the game for 123 yards and the two scores to round out a big day for the receiver. Former Cardinal Tucker Strachan went 18-32 for 192 yards and two touchdowns, while former Cardinal Cam'Ron McClain carried the ball 10 times for 44 yards in the losing effort. Wheeling is looking to settle the score this time around in the first ever match-up in Charleston, West Virginia between the two teams.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for noon in Charleston, West Virginia. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
