Wheeling, W. Va. - During the 2023 season, the Wheeling University Football program set several historic marks in what went down as their best season in program history. They once again set the single season win record, going 7-4 overall, while also setting their best mark in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play, going 6-4. As they enter 2023, the bar is set even higher as the Cardinals look to continue their progression and compete amongst the best of the best in the MEC.
"Our goals would be to be consistent in our day-to-day, being accountable, be on time, be prepared for practices for meetings, the details matter," said Wheeling University Head Football Coach Zac Bruney. "I tell our guys don't get bored with the details. It's hard to stay fully focused on the little things because you're always looking at the big picture. If we take care of the little things, then the big things like your games and wins will take care of themselves."
The 2022 season saw several program records fall and the Cardinals started things off on a high note right away. They defeated Seton Hill 25-11 in week one, earning their first opening week win in program history. After a tough battle with eventual MEC Champion Notre Dame College in week two, the Cardinals rattled off three straight wins against Alderson Broaddus, Glenville State, and West Virginia Wesleyan to move to 3-1 on the season. After falling to UNC Pembroke on homecoming, it was right back in the win column for the Cardinals as they took down both Frostburg State and West Liberty to move to 5-2 in conference play. They were in the hunt for the NCAA DII playoffs for the first time in program history and needed a win against Concord to stay in the conversation.
Unfortunately, they would drop that contest, and a loss to The University of Charleston the following week would seal the Cardinals fate. With the single season win record and the first winning season in program history already clinched, the Cardinals headed into their final week of the season looking to post their best mark in conference play. It would take an overtime effort, but former Cardinal Matt Greenwood sailed the game-winning kick through the uprights and the Cardinals would finish with their best conference record in program history at 6-4. While it was a strong year for the Cardinal overall, Bruney and his team were left wanting a little more as they headed to the offseason.
"Anytime you can compete at a high level and win games, I think it gives your guys confidence," said Bruney. "We had a good season, our best season to this point from a win-loss standpoint, but it also kind of left a taste of wanting more because we lost some close games. Anytime you can have success, hopefully success breeds success as you grow and develop your program. Last season was a culmination of a lot of guy's work for five years, but we had a lot of new guys in the mix who were waiting their turn and we are going to see that this fall."
The Cardinals roster will be going through a lot of turnover this season, with many of the fifth-year guys who started the program having graduated. However, the team still has several veterans, both on the field and in the program itself, and it starts with quarterback Javon Davis. Davis had a breakout campaign in his first year with the Cardinals in 2022, breaking both the single season passing record (2263) and the single season passing touchdown record (18). He finished fifth in the conference in passing yards and fourth in average yards per game (205.9) as he looks to continue his success this season. In the backfield, the Cardinals return redshirt senior Elijah Young, who will be taking over as the team's primary back. Young split time with former Cardinal Sy Alli IV last season and finished with a career-high 878 yards on 136 carries and five rushing touchdowns. He will be joined by fellow running backs Malachi Watkins and Jeremiah White, who each saw time last season, as they create a dynamic rushing attack.
The group with the most new faces on the offensive side of the ball is the wide receiving corps, with the Cardinals losing each of their top three receivers from last year. The leading returning pass catcher from a season ago is Steven Mitchell, who saw a lot of time as a slot receiver a year ago. He took advantage of his opportunities with some big splash plays, finishing with 16 catches for 212 yads and four touchdowns. He finished third on the team in receiving touchdowns and looks to again be a big weapon for Davis. Joining Mitchell will be a couple of veterans to the program in Dasyn Hores, Dae Dae Drummer, and Tre Holloway, who will each look to make an impact this season. The offensive line rounds out the offense with four of the five starters returning n Angel Figueroa, Zay Lewis, Justin Nelson, and Peter Schmitt. The group helped captain the conference's fourth highest rushing attack a year ago and will once again look to pave the way in 2023.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals will feature a lot of turnover starting with the defensive line. Chase Nolan and Caleb Grant serve as the two returning starters for the Cardinals with both having strong seasons. Grant broke out at defensive end, with 44.0 total tackles while leading the team with 6.0 sacks, and Nolan added a career-high 36.0 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and the first safety in program history. The linebacking corps will also see its share of turnover and the return of a former starter. After not playing in 2022, Dalton Hoover returns to the middle of the Cardinal's defense in 2023. He posted 59.0 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss during the 2021 season as he looks to add stability to the middle of the defense. He will be joined by juniors Sverri Finsson and Jack Parry, who will each look to breakthrough on the defensive side of the ball.
The secondary will also take on a new look in 2023, with Redshirt Junior J.R. Atkinson leading the group after registering 37.0 total tackles a year ago. The Cardinals will also see the return of defensive back Masiah Throne, who was limited to just four games last year after suffering an early season injury. Thorne finished 2022 with one interception and 10.0 tackles in four games as he showed his ability to get to the ball. The final unit for the Cardinals features the specialists, with long snapper Shane Tomlin leading the way after being named to the Special Teams U All-American Watch List. Both the punting and kicking duties will be handled by new faces with Junior Trey Brady handling most of the punting duties and Alderson Broaddus transfer Joao Lima being the front runner to handle them. Bruney is excited to see a lot of the veterans both on the field and of the program to take their chances leading this season.
"You will see some names and faces that might be new from a game playing standpoint, but they have a lot of experience within our program," said Bruney. "Once you have an established program and you can have success year to year, the turnover with your players will always happen with graduating seniors, but guys within your program should be ready to step up and take the next step of being key contributors, starters, key special teams players."
For the third year in a row, the season will begin with a meeting against Seton Hill and for the second season in a row that matchup will be at Bishop Schmitt Field August 31st at 7 PM. The Cardinals will then follow that up against Frostburg State at home the following week as they jump into MEC play. They then alternate locations the next four weeks, wrapping up the stretch with a Homecoming game against West Virginia Wesleyan on October 7th. That will be their only home game during October, as the team hits the road to face Glenville State on October 14th, has a bye on October 21st, and returns to action on the road against Notre Dame College on October 28th. The Cardinals wrap up the home slate to start November when they honor their seniors on November 4th against West Virginia State. The season then ends on November 11th when the team heads up the hill to face West Liberty.
The Wheeling University Football team kicks off the 2023 season on Thursday, August 31st, when they host Seton Hill with kick-off at 7 PM. You can buy tickets for the game by clicking HERE.
