Wheeling, W. Va. - After winning their first two Mountain East Conference (MEC) games of the year, the Wheeling University Football team (3-3, 2-1) suffered their first conference loss of the season last time out. On Saturday, the Cardinals are looking to avenge that loss when they head to West Virginia State on Saturday with kick-off at noon. It will be the Cardinal's first trip down to Institute, West Virginia as they look to get back in the win column in their only road game during October.
Last time out, the Cardinals welcomed the University of Charleston into Bishop Schmitt Field in a game where both defenses played well. Neither team would score over the game's first 15 minutes, with the two teams combining for three punts in the quarter. However, Charleston would be driving at the end of the first quarter, and converted that into the first score of the day as the game flipped to the second quarter. They would go on to score 17 points before halftime, and Wheeling tacked on a field goal to send the game into halftime with Charleston leading 17-3. In the second half, the Cardinal defense made their adjustments and held the potent Charleston offense to just three points the rest of the way. Wheeling would get their first touchdown in the fourth quarter, and added a field goal with just seconds to go, but it wasn't enough as they fell 20-13 for their first conference loss.
It was another strong effort for the Cardinal defense, and they were once again led by junior defensive back Leonard Sherrod III. He tied for the team lead with 11 tackles on the day, four solo and seven assisted, including one tackle for loss. Although he didn't record an interception in the game, Sherrod did cause a turnover for the third week in a row, forcing a fumble on a punt return that led to the Cardinal's first three points of the day. Sherrod has been one of the top defensive backs in the conference this season, leading the way with nine passes defended, while sitting second in interceptions (4) and sixth in pass break-ups (5). He also sits top 10 in the conference in total tackles (54), while sitting second in assisted tackles (32). The Cardinal defense looks to continue leading the way down the stretch, with Sherrod being at the top of that list.
The other leading tackler for the Cardinals was Jefferson Bretanys-Desca, who equaled Sherrod's 11 tackles on the day. Desca would lead the team with five solo tackles, and added six assisted tackles to round out his effort. He currently sits second in the conference with 56 total tackles, while leading the way with 33 assisted tackles on the season. The 11 tackls were a season high for the junior linebacker, as he looks to continue controlling the middle of the field. Of the Cardinal's 13 points on the day, eight of those came off the foot of Conor Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick would finish the day 2-3 on field goal attempts, with both coming from 30+ yards out. It was Fitzpatrick's first multi-field goal game of the season, and moved him to 2-5 on kicks between 30 and 39 yards this season.
As the Cardinals head into the final five weeks of the regular season, they find themselves as part of a jumbled up standings in the MEC. After the win on Saturday, the University of Charleston remains the only undefeated team in conference play, with the next four teams all having just one loss on their record. Wheeling sits as part of a two-way tie for fourth, equaling Glenville State's 2-1 record, and sits just a half game back of Frostburg State and West Virginia State, who each sit at 3-1 on the season. Of the Cardinal's five remaining contests, three of those five will be played on the road, where the Cardinals have gone 2-1 in three games this season. The Wheeling offense has averaged 23.33 points per game on the road this season, and they look to continue that offensive success as they head into the final stretch.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Yellow Jackets are meeting for the fourth time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 2-1. It will be the Cardinal's first trip to Institute, West Virginia, with the Cardinals hosting each of the previous three meetings between the programs. It has been an overall high scoring series for the Cardinals, with the team scoring 29+ points in two of the previous three meetings, while averaging 21.33 points per game.
Their last meeting came on October 19th, 2024, in a game that the Cardinals would win 35-33 at Bishop Schmitt Field. The Cardinal's come from behind victory was paced by Landon Lutz, who finished 26-49, throwing for 289 yards and three touchdowns in the effort. Steven Mitchell led the ground game, carrying the ball 22 times for 103 yards and a touchdown, while former Cardinal Tre Holloway was the top target, pulling in 10 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, former Cardinal Jack Parry led the effort with 16 total tackles, eight solo and eight assisted.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for noon inside Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium. You can watch the action live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
