Wheeling, W. Va. – "The Battle for Wheeling" came to Bishop Schmidt Field on Saturday, as the Wheeling University Football team (6-5, 5-4) welcomed in West Liberty University on Saturday night. It was a special senior day matchup for the Cardinals under the lights as their offense continued to soar in a 40-16 win. The win helped the Cardinals finish 6-5 on the season marking the 5th year in a row that they have finished at .500 or better.

After honoring their 22 seniors in the pregame ceremony, the Cardinal offense took control from the first drive of the night. They ate 9 minutes off the clock, driving down to the West Liberty 5 yard linr, but a blocked field goal would keep the game scoreless. After the defense got a Big stop on West Liberty's first possession, the Cardinals would get into the end zone on their second drive. They once again drove down into West Liberty territory, getting to the 1-yard line, and a quarterback sneak from Landon Lutz would make it a 7-0 Cardinal advantage. That would be the score at the end of the first quarter, and the Cardinals would force a West Liberty punt to start the second. However, the ball was muffed and West Liberty would take advantage adding a field goal after the recovery to make it 7-3.

Wheeling's long methodical drives continued into the second quarter, as Wheeling was looking for a response. They marched 69 yards on 14 plays getting down to the West Liberty 1 yard line once again. This time, it was Steven Mitchell running the ball through the middle of the West Liberty defense and the Cardinals would take a 14-3 advantage. Wheeling's defense would force another three and out and the Cardinal offense just kept coming. They got the ball back on the West Liberty 46 yd line and we're faced with a third and seven from the 43. Lutz would come through with a big play, connecting with Dasyn Hores for 43 yards to extend the Cardinals lead to 21-3 with 3:32 to go before the half. The second quarter was the highest scoring quarter on the day, with the two teams combining for 31 points, and it was West Liberty who would get on the board next..

The Hilltoppers would set up shop at the Wheeling 25-yard line and needed just one play to get into the end zone. Levi Gullion would connect with Ben Turner on a 75 yard touchdown pass that cut the Wheeling lead to 21-10. With 3:19 still remaining on the first half clock. The Cardinals would orchestrate one more scoring drive before the half. The Cardinals would get the ball near midfield and set up second and five from the West Liberty 32-yard line. Lutz once again through a deep ball, this time finding Tre Holloway for 32 yards and a Cardinal touchdown. Joao Lima would sail the extra point through the uprights and wheeling went into halftime with a 28-10 lead. It was the second straight game that the Cardinals eclipse the 25 point mark before halftime, and the offense looked to continue rolling into the second half.

However, West Liberty turn to running back Hunter Patterson out of the locker room and he put his team on his back. He carried the ball three straight times to start the drive and then we get on the board, catching a 41-yard touchdown pass that made it a 28-16 game. The Cardinals would answer on their first drive on the new half, starting on their own 35 yard line. Wheeling needed just three plays to get down to the West Liberty 38 yard line, and a former Hilltopper would get wheeling back on the board. Chris Charles pulled in a pass from The back corner of the end zone to get wheeling back on the board. The extra point was missed and the Cardinals were staked to a 34-16 lead with 9:41 to play in the quarter. That would remain the score by quarter's end as the Cardinals looked to close the regular season out strong.

The two teams would trade puns on their first two possessions of the final quarter, but Wheeling had one more scoring drive in them. They got the ball back with 11:06 to play and put together a six-play 46 yard drive. The Cardinals were set with a second and 10 from the West Liberty 12-yard line and Lutz found Holloway once again for the score. It was his second touchdown of the day and the Cardinals extended their lead to 40-16. Wheeling's defense would take over the rest of the night, holding West Liberty off the board for the final 11 minutes of play. On the Hilltoppers final drive of the night They got to first and goal for the Wheeling 8 yard line. That is as far as they would get as the Cardinals for state turnover on downs that officially brought the game to an end.

The senior shied throughout the day on senior day with Dasyn Hores and Steven Mitchell leading the way. Hores Set a new career high pulling in five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell let the Cardinal run game, finishing with 23 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown. Landon Lutz would round out a strong season, finishing 14-25 throwing for 265 yards and four touchdowns on the day. His four touchdowns went to three different receivers with Tre Holloway pulling into touchdowns and Chris Charles pulling in the other. Jack Parry once again. Led the Cardinal defense, finishing with eight tackles, and breaking the single-season tackle record with 92.

The Wheeling University Football team now heads into the offseason as they prepare to come back stronger in 2025.