Wheeling, W. Va. – On Saturday, the Wheeling University Football team (4-4, 3-4) wrap up their home schedule on Saturday as they return to Bishop Schmitt Field. They will hold their senior day festivities before they take on West Virginia State with kick-off scheduled for noon. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2019 season as the Cardinals look to get back into the win column.

The last time out, the Cardinals hit the road as they headed to South Euclid, Ohio to take on Notre Dame College. Early on, the Falcons controlled the game as they got out to a 28-10 lead through the first three quarters of play. However, as the third quarter came to a close, the Cardinals were able to block a field goal and returned it for a touchdown. This play wouls flip the momentum back to the Cardinals and they went off in the fourth quarter. The defense did their job, holding the Falcons off the board over the final 15 minutes of play. The Cardinals made it a three point game with 10 minutes to go and had a chance to tie the game with three seconds left. It would be a 51-yard field goal attempt. It would fall just short as the Cardinals fell 28-25 as they fell to 4-4 overall.

Leading the way for the Cardinals both through the air and on the ground was quarterback Landon Lutz.  Lutz continues his consistency in the passing game, going 14-33 throwing for 215 yards, one touchdiwn and one interception. In his seven games this season, Lutz has not thrown more than one interception in any of those games. He was also the Cardinal's leading rushed in the game, carrying the ball nine times for 33 yards and a touchdown to round out the day. His rushing touchdown came in the fourth quarter as he carried the ball 12 yards into the endzone. That score made it a three-point game and gave the Cardinals the chance to complete their comeback.

On the defensive side, it was a big game for defensive back Justin McIlwain, who set a career-high with seven tackles, five solo and two assisted. McIlwain pulled down one of the two interceptions on the day and tied with teammate Caleb Grant for the team lead in tackles. J.R. Atkinson was the one who flipped the momentum the Cardinals way after the blocked field goal. Rashard Jackson jumped up to block the field goal and Atkinson picked the vball up at the Cardinal's 40-yard line. Atkinson returned the ball 60 yards for the Cardinals touchdown. He was named the MEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts as he helped the Cardinals battle back. Atkinson also added five tackles, three total and two assisted, to round out the day.

Before the game on Saturday, the Cardinals will hit or their 16 seniors for their contributions to the program over the last four to five years. Over the last two senior day ceremonies, the Cardinals are a combined 2-0 and they look to continue that success on Saturday. So far, they are 3-1 in their fiv e home games this season and are averaging  38.23 points per game in those four games. The Cardinals look to continue that success as they try to get back to .500 in MEC play and over .500 overall. The Cardinals still have a chance to go 6-4 over their final two wins and get six wins or more in each of the last three seasons. The Cardinals look to send their seniors out with a win in their final home games at Bishop Schmitt Field.

The Matchups

The Cardinals and Yellow Jackets are meeting for the second time in program history, with West Virginia State leading the series at 1-0. It is also the second time that the Yellow Jackets have visited Bishop Schmitt Field as the Cardinals look to even up the series. The Cardinals did not score in the first meeting between the two teams and looks to get on the board for the first time in Saturday's matchup.

The last meeting between the two teams came in November 5th, 2019, when West Virginia State picked up a 24-0 win. Former Cardinal Tucker Strachan led the way in the game, going 14-26, throwing for 146 yards. His top target was former Cardunaly Jaquan Davidson, who pulled in three catches for 56 yards, while former Cardinal Sy Alli led the ground game with 13 carries for 50 yards. Former Cardinal James Reese led the team with 10 tackles, six solo and four assisted, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Details

Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for noon at Bishop Schmitt Field, with the senior day ceremonies beginning at 11:34 AM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.