Wheeling, W. Va. - It has been a long month of home action for the Wheeling University Football team (4-4, 3-2) as they wrap up a stretch where they are playing four of five games at Bishop Schmitt Field. The stretch comes to an end on Saturday when they host Concord in their home finale with kick-off at noon. The Cardinals will be honoring their 2025 seniors in a special pregame ceremony, as many of them will be taking the field for the final time in the regular season in their collegiate careers.
Last time out, the Cardinals battled ranked Frostburg State in a battle for the top spot in the Mountain East Conference (MEC). However, the Bobcats came out firing with a touchdown on the first play of the game and didn't look back for the rest of the half. They would tack on 14 first quarter points, while the Cardinals got across midfield just once during that span. Wheeling's first scoring chance would come in the second quarter, when a 32-yard Conor Fitzpatrick field goal ended up being blocked. Frostburg State would add a touchdown and a field goal before the halftime break, and went into the locker room leading 24-0. As they came out for the second half, the Cardinal defense would make a stand, causing three turnovers, with two of those coming in the fourth quarter. Wheeling would get into the endzone on each of their final two drives, but it was too little too late as Wheeling fell 31-13.
The Cardinal's defense has stepped up in the second half in each of their last three games, allowing seven points or fewer each time. Against Frostburg State, they only allowed seven points, with all seven of those coming in the fourth quarter. Leading the charge was Jefferson Bretanys-Desca, who set a new season high with 14.0 total tackles, four solo and 10 assisted. He was all over the field throughout the game, adding both 0.5 tackle for loss and 0.5 sack, while also finished with an interception and a pass break-up. Desca is chasing down a single-season record, entering the day with an MEC leading 83.0 total tackles. He sits just seven tackles away from the Wheeling Football single-season record of 90.0, held by former Cardinal Jack Parry. He has finished with double-digit tackles in each of his last three games, and looks to continue to be a force in the middle of the Cardinal defense.
A key piece of the Cardinal's offensive success this season has come from their tight end group of Alex Godavitarne and Landyn Hores. Against the Bobcats, it was Godavitarne who had the biggest effort, finishing with two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown on the day. It was his third touchdown catch of the season and his second in four weeks for the Cardinals. He has made at least two in each of the past two games, and has been a reliable target for the Cardinals this season. In the passing game, the quarterback battle between Ade Olanegan and Landon Lutz has continued into the regular season with each having their moments to shine. It was Olanegan's turn this week, coming in for the second half and finishing 8-19 while throwing for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He got the Cardinals on the board on each of their final two tries and has been a nice compliment to Lutz's play style.
As they enter their home regular season finale, the Cardinals will honor their class of 2025 seniors for their work over the past four or five seasons. This group has seen the Cardinals through some of their best moments in the early part of their program history, including the program setting the single-season win record when they went 7-4 during the 2022 season. Despite the loss last week, the Cardinals remain within a game of Charleston and Glenville State for the second spot in the tournament and a game and a half of Frostburg State for the top spot in the conference. With three more conference games on the schedule, two of those coming against teams currently below them in the MEC standings, the Cardinals look to make one final push. If they are able to win out, they will tie the single-season wins record, set during these senior's first season. The Cardinals look to not only get a win in their home finale but continue that momentum as they round out 2025.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Mountain Lions are meeting for the sixth time in program history on Saturday, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 4-1. Wheeling has won each of the two match-ups on their home field, compared to a 2-1 record when they travel to Athens, West Virginia. It has been a high-scoring series for the Cardinals, where they averaged 33.4 PPG and have scored 30 or more points in each of the last three meetings between the two teams.
The last meeting between Wheeling and Concord came on November 9th, 2024, in a game that Wheeling would win 50-30. It was a career-best day for Landon Lutz, who finished 20-26 while throwing for 247 yards and a single-game program record six touchdowns. His top target was former Cardinal Dasyn Hores finished with five catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Steven Mitchell led the ground game with 20 carries for 133 yards. The defensive effort was led by former Cardinal Jack Parry, who finished with 10 tackles, eight solo and two assisted, to round out the day.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for noon at Bishop Schmitt Field with Senior Day ceremonies beginning at 11:30 AM. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE and follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
