Wheeling, W. Va. – On Saturday, the Wheeling University Football team (5-4, 4-4) returned to Bishop Schmitt Field for the final time in 2023. They hosted West Virginia State for the first time since the 2019 season as they honored their senior class in their final home game. The Cardinals sent them out on a high note as they defeated the Yellow Jackets 29-22 to bring their Mountain East Conference (MEC) record back to .500 on the season.

Early on, the Yellow Jackets took control as they took the opening drive of the game into the endzone and took a 7-0 lead just five minutes in. The Cardinals would take their opening drive deep into Yellow Jackets territory, setting up shop at the Yellow Jacket's eight yard line. However, the Yellow Jacket's defense would come up big as they forced a fumble, ending the Cardinal's early threat. The Yellow Jackets opening tally would be the only score of the first quarter as West Virginia State had a 7-0 lead after the first 15 minutes of play. The offense had shown that they could move the ball early in the first quarter, but were just waiting for their opening to break free in the game.

As the second quarter began, Wheeling would be forced to punt and West Virginia State would add another score to go up 14-0. With the Yellow Jackets ahead by two scores, it was time for the Cardinals to respond and they would do just that. On their ensuing drive, the team needed 11 plays to drive down to the Yellow Jacket's one-yard line. It was time for the first senior contribution of the day as Elijah Young pounded the ball into the endzone and the extra point made it a 14-7 game with 7:19 to go before the half. After two big defensive stops, the Cardinals got the ball back with 2:29 to go in the half. After facing a 2nd and three at the Yellow Jacket's 39-yard line, Quarterback Landon Lutz his wide receiver Qurron Winder in a 39-yard completion for another Cardinal touchdown.

The Cardinals found themselves down by one and lined up for the extra point. However, Trey Brady took the snap and rushed to his right around the end and was able to cross the goal line for the two-point conversion. The Cardinals found themselves ahead for the first time on the night, leading 15-14 with 49 seconds to go before the half. West Virginia State would get the ball back with 49 seconds left and the half would end with the Cardinals leading 15-14. After not getting on the board in the first quarter, it took just a little spark to get them going in the second. They looked to keep that momentum on their side as they headed into the second half, looking for their first ever win against the Yellow Jackets.

Wheeling got the ball back to start the second half and immediately kept that momentum on their side, driving down to the West Virginia State five yard line. From there, Landon Lutz threw a jump ball into the back corner of the endzone, and Tre Holloway went up to make the catch as Wheeling expanded their lead to 22-14. The Cardinals defense would come up with yet another big stop and on the ensuing drive, the Cardinals once again drove to the redzone. They were set up at the one yard line with first and goal as the Cardinals looked to add on. Landon Lutz would get the ball on the quarterback option and took the ball himself around the corner for the Cardinals touchdown. It was the second straight game where Lutz scored a touchdown and the Cardinals led 29-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

However, the Yellow Jackets were not done as they had the ball in the fourth quarter and moved down to the Wheeling 24-yard line. They would connect on a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nolan Johnson to make it 29-20. The Yellow Jackets would then line up for a big two-point conversion and converted successfully as they made it a seven point game at 29-22. With 6:47 left in the game, the Cardinals would line up for a 34-yard field goal that would have made it a two-score game, but the kick sailed right and kept it a one score game. West Virginia State would get the ball back and made it to the Cardinal's 19-yard line. However, the Cardinal's defense came up big as a false start and a big sack brought up fourth down. The Cardinals got the stop and secured the 29-22 win.

Leading the way on offense for the Cardinals was Lutz, who went 15-26, throwing for 190 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also added seven carries for 15 yards, and a touchdown as he accounted for three of the four touchdowns on the afternoon. Elijah Young scored the other touchdown for the Cardinals, carrying the ball 12 times for 35 yards while Tre'Ron Fullerton led the team with 18 carries for 82 yards. The two receiving touchdowns were pulled in by Qurron Winder and Tre Holloway, who finished with 47 and 32 yards receiving respectively. It was a big day for the Cardinals D-Line as Caleb Grant led the way with 10.0 tackles and 2.0 sacks, while Rashard Jackson finished with 9.0 tackles.

The Wheeling University Football team returns to action on Saturday, November 11th, when they take on West Liberty at 1 PM.