Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Football team brought Mountain East Conference (MEC) to Bishop Schmitt Field. The Cardinals continued to use a strong balance from their running game as they took down the Pioneers 34-23. Running back Sy Alli once again had a strong showing for his team as he ran for a season-best 167 yards and became the first running back in school history to eclipse 2,500 yards rushing.
The Cardinals ran for a season-best 253 yards on the ground, 167 of those going to Alli in the effort. It is the fourth straight game that the Cardinals crossed the 200 yard mark and they did with a mix of Alli and his running mate
Elijah Young. Following ALLI'S 167 yard effort, Young added 74 yards on the ground throughout the day and a touchdown of his own as he brings his season total to a career-best 373 yards rushing.
Javon Davis rounded out the ground game with 16 yards on five carries as he continues to be a running threat for the team. Through the air, Davis finished with 188 yards passing while going 15-23 with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Jayvon Johnson and
Fabian McNichols paced the Cardinals defensive game with nine and eight tackles respectively.
In the first quarter, things were looking grim for the Cardinals as the Pioneers took their second play from scrimmage 64 yards down the field to take a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the game. After Wheeling went three and out on their first drive the Pioneers were back at it driving down to the Wheeling 15 yard line and kicking a field goal to put the Cardinals in an early 10-0 hole. Wheeling would start to move the ball against Glenville State as the quarter went on, but weren't able to find the end zone as they drove down to the Glenville State 32 and we're forced to punt. Then, at the end of the first quarter, Wheeling would be sitting with a 3rd and six at the Glenville State 49 with the score sitting at 10-0 in favor of the Pioneers.
Wheeling would end up getting stopped on the drive, but two drives later would get on the board. With the score still sitting at 10-0, the Cardinals would start a drive at the Glenville State 39 yard line. After a Penalty pushed them back to the 41,
Javon Davis found
Jake Keenan on a 41-yard catch and run that made it a 10-7 game with 2:56 remaining before halftime. After forcing a Pioneers turnover on downs, the Cardinals got the ball back with time on the clock. They drove down to the Pioneers's 29-yard line and attempted a game-tying field goal. Matt Greenwood would nail the kick and tie the game as the team's broke for the locker room. It was a tale of two quarters in the first half and both teams were looking to break through in the second half.
The Cardinals received the opening kick-off and would take the lead as Matt Greenwood hit another field goal to make it 13-10 Wheeling. The 36-yard boot was the longest field goal in program history and gave them a 13-10 lead. The Pioneers drove down and attempted a field goal of their own, but the kick saikes wide left. Wheeling would take advantage on the next drive as Davis connected with Keenan on a 51-yard strike to get down to the one yard line. Alli would do the rest punching in his first touchdown of the game to make it a 20-10 Wheeling lead. Before the quarter ended, Glenville State got back in the end zone and the quarter ended with Wheeling holding a 20-17 advantage with 15 minutes left to play.
Wheeling got the ball back to start the fourth quarter and used the combination of Alli and Young to get down to the Pioneers's 16-yard line. Alli's number was called again and he delivered running off left tackle for a 16-yard touchdown run that moved the advantage to 27-17 Wheeling. Glenville State answered right back on the ensuing drive as they drove down the field, but a missed extra point would prove big as the Cardinals led 27-23 with 6:39 to play. The Cardinals would end up fumbling the ball on the ensuing possession and the Pioneers would take over at their own 26. However, Wheeling sealed the deal on the next play when
Myck Brown came through with his first career interception and returned it to the Pioneer two yard line.
Elijah Young would punch in the game's final score on a one-yard touchdown run that made it 34-23. The Cardinals now move to 3-1 on the year and are off to their best start in program history as they continue through conference play.
The Wheeling University Football team returns to action on Saturday, October 1st, when they battle West Virginia Wesleyan at 1 PM.
