Wheeling, W. Va. – The Road to the team's first ever Mountain East Conference(MEC) Championship began Saturday for the Wheeling University Football team (5-5, 4-3) at Bishop Schmidt Field. The Cardinals welcomed in Glenville State University in a classic game that came down to the final seconds of regulation. In the end, Wheeling's last second Drive would fall just short as the Cardinals dropped a 38-34 game to start November.
The pioneer defense was opportunistic early, with two turnovers resulting in the team's first 14 points of the night. They would force a fumble On Wheeling's first play from scrimmage, resulting in a six-yard touchdown run for Glenville State quarterback JD Sherrad that gave Glenville State an early 7-0 lead. Wheeling would get the ball back and face a 3rd and 9 At their own 39-yard line before a Landon Lutz pass was intercepted by Ty Wickliffe and taking back 45 yards for the pick six. Wheeling found themselves down 14-0 just 4 and ½ minutes into the game, and would have to fight back the rest of the way. The Cardinals were held to a three and out on their next Drive, and Glendale state was once again driving deep into Wheeling territory. They would get down to the Wheeling 6-yard line Jacob Jones came up with an interception in the end zone to stall the drive.
The Cardinals would drive to midfield before the quarter ended, but we're still trailing 14-0 heading into the second quarter. After the team changed sides, they would get down to the Glenville State 17-yard line before handing the ball to O'Marion Taylor to finish the drive. He would run off tackle into the end zone for the 17-yard touchdown, but Conor Fitzpatrick 's extra point was blocked to keep the score at 12-6. Glenville State would get it back to a two-score game with 5:56 to go in the half when Sherrad took the ball himself across the goal line from 4 yards out to make it a 21-6 Pioneer lead. The Cardinals would answer right back on the next possession, driving into Glenville State territory and setting up on the Pioneer 32 yard line. Ayden McKinstry would do the rest, evading tacklers for 32 yd before getting into the end zone. Fitzpatrick would send the extra point through the uprights and Wheeling cut the lead back to eight at 21-13.
With 3:19 to go in the half, the Cardinals would get the ball back one more time in the half, and made the most of their opportunity. They needed seven plays to work their way down to the Glenville State six yard line, before McKinstry used his legs to score for the second straight play, and the Fitzpatrick extra point made it 21-20 heading into halftime. Glenville State had deferred the opening kick-off and they would take the second half kick and drive 52 yards, with Sherrod connection with Caden Harris on a 39-yard strike to extend the Pioneer lead to 28-20. It was Wheeling's turn to respond and respond they would as on the third play of the ensuing drive, McKinstry burst up the middle on a 79-yard touchdown run, his second score of the day. Wheeling would go for two, and Lutz connected with Colin Oberdick as the Cardinals tied the game at 28-28 with 12:52 to go in the third.
On the next drive, Glenville State would get down to the Cardinal 10-yard line and called on Brody Layman for the 27-yard field goal attempt. Defensive lineman Isiah Danner would reach up and block the kick, setting the Cardinals up for a chance to take the first lead of the day. Wheeling would respond by getting down to the Pioneer seven-yard line, where Fitzpatrick set up for a 24-yard try. He would nail the kick and the Cardinals went up 31-28 entering the final 15 minutes of play. It would be a game of field goals over the next two drive, with Layman and Fitzpatrick each hitting kicks, and the Cardinals held a 34-31 lead with 8:08 to play. On the next drive, Glenville State would find a hole in the Cardinal defense, as Sherrod connected with Tristan Walker on a 29-yard score that put Glenville State up 38-34 with five minutes to play.
The Cardinals had two chances to respond with under five minutes to play, and got inside the Glenville State 35-yard line on both occasions. The first would see Wheeling set up fourth and five at the Pioneer 33-yard line, where Lutz tried to strike deep to Solo Love, but the pass was broken up to turn the ball over on downs. The Cardinal defense responded with a key three-and-out and the Cardinals were handed the ball on their own 44-yard line with 1:31 on the clock. The Cardinals drove down to the Glenville State 11-yard line, where they were set up with 3rd and 10 with eight seconds to go. The Cardinals would have two shots at the endzone, but both passes were broken up and the Cardinals would fall 38-34, taking their third conference loss of the season.
For the second week in a row, the Cardinals relied heavily on the ground game and Ayden McKinstry would be the one to answer the call. The sophomore would set the single-game rushing record, carrying the ball 17 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the day, while averaging 11.8 yards per carry. He led a Cardinal backfield that totaled 248 yards on the day, with O'Marion Taylor finishing right behind him with eight carries for 40 yards. Landon Lutz would lead the passing game, going 21-23, throwing for 235 yards and an interception on the day. McKinstry rounded out his top day as the leading receiver, pulling in six catches for 80 yards, while Solo Love added five catches for 56 yards. On the defensive side, Joe Rispoli led the effort, finishing with 10 total tackles, five solo and five assisted, while adding 2.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hit in the effort.
The Wheeling University Football team returns to action on Saturday, November 14, when they host West Liberty with kick-off at noon.
