Wheeling, W. Va. – The Homecoming and Family weekend celebration reached its peak on Saturday afternoon at Bishop Schmitt Field. The Wheeling University Football team (3-2, 2-0) was fresh off its bye week and the team was clicking on all cylinders as they picked up a 40-14 win. It moved the Cardinals to 2-0 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play after breaking out of a tight battle early on.
On the opening drive of the day, West Virginia Wesleyan's offense ran like clock work as they drove 65 yards on seven plays. The Bobcat's handed the ball to Jaylen Williams and he ran in from 16 yards out to give West Virginia Wesleyan a 7-0 lead. The Cardinals would come back on their first drive and Ade Olanegan led the offense down to the Bobcat's five yard line across five plays. Wheeling would then hand the ball to Steven Mitchell, who went the rest of the way for the Wheeling touchdown and the extra point would tie the game at 7-7. After the defense came up with their first stop of the day, the Cardinals next Drive would end abruptly. Olanegan threw his first interception of the day, And West Virginia Wesleyan's Alexander DeHart returned the ball 39 yards for the Bobcat touchdown. It gave West Virginia Wesleyan a 14-7 lead and on the ensuing Cardinal Drive the Bobcats would get another interception to keep the ball rolling. However, Wheeling's defense did their job and set the Cardinals up for one more score before the quarter was out.
Kameron Reynolds would force a Bobcat fumble at around the 21-yard line giving the Wheeling offense a short field. Wheeling would get the ball to the 3-yard line before Olanegan connected with Jordan Kaiser across the middle of the field for the touchdown. It tied the game at 14-14 and that's where it would sit at the end of the first quarter. The second Quarter was marked by defense, and the score remained tied at 14:14 with 1:54 to go in the half. The Cardinal offense took off as the Cardinals went into their two-minute offense and moved down to the Bobcat 19-yard line. Thanks to short passes from Olanegan. His final strike was a slant route across the middle of the field as Colin Oberdick pulled in the 19-yard score. Connor Fitzpatrick sailed through the extra point and Wheeling extended their lead to 21-14. The Wheeling defense forced a quick three and out and the Cardinals would have one more shot with 26 seconds on the clock.
They would need just two plays to find themselves back on the 19-yard line and it was once again a short route that got them into the end zone. This time, Olanegan connected with Alex Godavitarne for the score And Wheeling went into halftime leading 28-14. The offense found a newfound spark with under 2 minutes to play in the half and looked to continue the momentum into the second half. While they weren't able to score on their first drive, Brett Jackson would come into punt and was able to pin the Bobcats back at their own four yard line. After allowing a 4-yard scamper on the first play, the Wheeling defensive front would get on the board as Dion McIntosh dropped the quarterback in the end zone for a safety to push Wheeling's lead to 30-14. It would be defense and special teams that accounted for all the Cardinal points in the quarter, And with 41 seconds to go Fitzpatrick was called on to attempt a 48-yard field goal.
It would be the longest field goal of his career as he sailed it through the uprights and gave the Cardinals a 33-14 lead. It was just one yard shy of the program record for the longest field goal, held by former Cardinal Matthew Greenwood at 49 yards. West Virginia Wesleyan would get the ball back And on the very next play the Cardinals were back on the board. After picking up one interception already in the game, Leonard Sherrod was at it again as the ball bounced off a receiver's hands and into Sherrod's arms. He would take it the rest of the way going 35 yards to the end zone for the pick six. Fitzpatrick sailed the extra point through the uprights And Wheeling had a 40- 14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Head coach Zac Bruney got a chance to play some of his reserves over the final 15 minutes and although the Cardinals did not get on the board, there were some strong standout performances. Rodney James carried the ball four times for 49 yards, while Jalen Higginbotham made five tackles. In the end, Wheeling held on for the 40-14 win as they moved to 2-0 in MEC play.
Leading the offensive effort was Ade Olanegan, who finished 16-26, throwing for 234 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. It was the third week in a row that he completed three touchdown passes As he spread the ball around to seven different receivers. His top target was Alex Godavitarne, who pulled in five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Colin Oberdick added four catches for 71 yards and a score. Dawaun Green led the ground game with nine carries for 60 yards, while O'Marion Taylor added eight carries for 52 yards. On the defensive side Kameron Reynolds led the way with 13 total tackles, seven solo and six assisted, while Leonard Sherrod III added four tackles and two interceptions. Dion McIntosh capped off the big day finishing with five tackles, a sack, and the safety to round out the effort.
The Wheeling University Football team returns to action on Saturday, October 11th, when they host the University of Charleston at 2 PM
