Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University Football team (6-4, 5-4) opened up November back at Bishop Schmitt Field as they hosted the University of Charleston. It would come down to the final two minutes of the game, but the Golden Eagles were able to beat the Cardinals 22-19 to drop them to 5-4 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play. Wheeling hit a milestone on the afternoon, as running back Sy Alli reached 3,000 career rushing yards in the game, as the Cardinals look to bounce back in their season finale.
The game began with some instant offense on both sides as both teams would score on their opening drives of the night. The Golden Eagles drove 53 yards on their opening drive and found the endzone to take a 7-0 lead. However, on Wheeling's ensuing drive, the Cardinals showed a balanced attack to move the ball to the Golden Eagles eight-yard line. Quarterback Javon Davis would then drop back and found Jake Keenan in the endzone for an eight-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7-7. It was Davis's fourth consecutive game with a touchdown pass as he continues to throw the ball well this season. Charleston was forced to punt on the ensuing drive and after the first quarter clock ran out, the score remained 7-7.
On the Cardinal's second drive of the game, Sy Alli started things with a 30-yard run that helped him go over the 3000-career rushing yard mark. The Cardinals would drive down to the Charleston 12-yard line, setting up Matt Greenwood for a 29-yard field goal attempt. He was able to knock it through and gave Wheeling their first lead of the afternoon at 10-7. However, both defenses stepped up the rest of the way as they bent but didn't break. Both teams got into enemy territory on their next drives, but they had to punt both times. The teams would break for the locker room with the Cardinals leading by that same 10-7 score in what was a defensive affair.
Wheeling would get the ball to start the second half and put together a nearly six minute drive that put them on the Golden Eagles 21-yard line and once again set up the Cardinals for another field goal opportunity, this time from 38 yards out. Matt Greenwood came up and was able to hit it through again and Wheeling would extend their lead to 13-7. The Golden Eagles tried to get their passing game started, but the Cardinal's secondary was strong throughout the afternoon. Fabian McNichols and Kelvin Bazemore each got big pass breakups during the drive and Wheeling headed into the final 15 minutes of play ahead 13-7.
With just over nine minutes to go, the Cardinals got the ball back at the Golden Eagles 30 after an errant Charleston punt. Wheeling went to their run game as Elijah Young and Davis helped carry the ball to the Charleston nine-yard line. Young would finish the drive with his first touchdown of the day as he scampered in from nine yards out. The Cardinals tried to go for two, but were unsuccessful and held a 19-7 lead with 6:17 remaining. However, the Golden Eagles turned to their run game and drove down the field to score their second touchdown of the day and cut the Cardinal lead to 19-14.
Wheeling was forced to punt on their next drive, and Charleston got the ball back with 2:40 left on the game clock. They busted out for their biggest play of the day, a 53-yard touchdown run that gave Charleston their first lead since the first quarter at 22-19. Still, the Cardinals had 2:25 to play and a chance to drive down the field. A 21-yard completion to Lowell Patron, and a second completion set Wheeling up on the Golden Eagles 35-yard line. Two incompletions brought up a fourth and six, but a Charleston interception would end the game with Charleston winning 22-19.
Running back Sy Alli led the rushing game with 65 yards on 14 carries and fellow running back Elijah Young added 56 yards on 14 carries. Quarterback Javon Davis went 12-27, throwing for 160 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His top target was Jake Keenan, who finished with six catches for 100 yards and the lone Cardinals touchdown on the day. The defense was led by linebacker Jayvon Johnson, who set the single-game record with 14 total tackles, four solo and 10 assisted while Brandon Munoz finished with six tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss and his first career interception.
The Wheeling University Football team wraps up the regular season next Saturday, when they host Fairmont State with kick-off at 2 PM.
