Wheeling, W. Va. – For the first time in program history, the Wheeling University Football team (4-3, 3-3) how to bye week last weekend. After taking the time to rest and make adjustments, the Cardinals are back on the gridiron this weekend as they travel to South Euclid, Ohio, to take on Notre Dame College on Saturday. The Cardinals are looking to bounce back from their week six Lost a Glenville State and get back in the win column over the final 3 weeks of the regular season.
It has been a long month on the road for the Cardinals, as they have played three of their four games away from Bishop Schmitt Field this month. That theme continued two weeks ago as the Cardinals were in Glenville, West Virginia to take on Glenville State. Defense rule throughout the game as both teams were kept quiet during the first half. A pair of Wheeling field goals accounted for the first two scores of the night and things would be tied at 6-6 heading into the final minute of the first half. The Cardinals would take the lead on a last second touchdown run and headed into the locker room ahead 13-6. However, that would be their final score of the game and 14 unanswered points by the Pioneers would serve as the difference as Wheeling fell 27-13.
Defense would be the driving force for both teams on the day, and the Cardinals were led by defensive lineman Ahkeem Mitchell. But the defensive end had a career day finishing with eight total tackles, 6 solo and two assisted. Mitchell has been a contributor for the Cardinals. Behind him was linebacker Sverri Finsson, who added five tackles, for solo and one assisted, to go along with one sack on the afternoon. Finsson has been a force to be reckoned with in the run game all season long and lately has upped his play in the passing game. He has at least 0.5 Saks in three of his last four games as he continues to be a disturbance for opponents in the backfield. The Cardinals defense looks to continue to be stout the rest of the season led by Finsson and Mitchell.
One of the strongest phases of the game for the Cardinals this season has been their special team's unit, and they once again played a big role against Glenville State. Joao Lima accounted for more than half his team scoring going 2-3 In field goal attempts hitting from both 25 and 35 yards While it's only Miss came on a 53-yard field goal. On the season, Lima is 10-13 in field goal attempts for a 76.92% success rate. He has been perfect when kicking from both 20-29 yards and 40-49 yards This season as he continues to lead the special teams' unit. The Cardinals have also been strong in the punting game with Trey Brady routinely pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line. He has landed six of his 30 puns inside the 20-yard line this season and has also added two points of more than 50 yards. Here's help back up opposing offenses making it easier for the Wheeling defense to get the stop.
As they get set to wrap up the 2023 season over these final 3 weeks The Cardinals currently fit at 4-3 overall and 3-3 in MEC (Mountain East Conference) play. They have broken the single season win record in each of the past four seasons since joining the MEC and, while they can't break the win record this season, they can still tie their mark from a season ago. The Cardinals would have to win each of their final three games to accomplish the fee as they would finish 7-3 overall and 6-3 in conference play. If they're able to do that they will set the record for the best winning percentage in a single season both overall and in conference play. With two of those games coming on the road it won't be easy for the Cardinals as they look to be Road warriors to finish out the year.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Falcons will be meeting for the fifth time in program history on Saturday, with Notre Dame College leading the series at 4-0. It will be the third meeting in South Euclid, Ohio, where the Cardinals are 0-2 into previous meetings. The Cardinals are averaging 12 points per game in the first four matchups but have stepped up on defense holding the Falcons to fewer points than the game before in each of the last three meetings. Notre Dame College enters Saturday's game in a similar standing to the Cardinals as Wheeling looks to overtake them for the first time in program history.
In their meeting last season, Notre Dame College came out victorious over the Cardinals with a 27-14 win. The Cardinal's offense was led by their running game as Elijah Young carried the ball 14 times for 146 yards and one touchdown, setting what was a career-best effort. Javon Davis finished the game 17-40 for 125 yards and a touchdown, with his top receiver being former Cardinal Lowell Patron, who pulled in six catches for 57 yards. Former Cardinal Richard White III led the defense with eight tackles, six solo and two assisted, while Caleb Grant added seven tackles in the loss.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for noon at Mueller Field on the campus of Notre Dame College. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
