Wheeling, W. Va. – With the 2026 football season just 10 days away, fall camp is winding down for the Wheeling University Football team. On Thursday, Wheeling University Head Football Coach Zac Bruney will take to the podium, as he previews the 2026 season as part of Mountain East Conference (MEC) Football Media Day. This year's event is a virtual event, with Bruney's pre-recorded press conference airing on the MEC social media channels on Thursday.
The Cardinals continued to climb the ladder in the MEC in 2025, finishing tied for third in the conference standings. It was their highest conference finish in a full 11-game schedule, seeing them go 6-5 overall and 5-3 in MEC play. It was a year of ups and downs for the Cardinals, highlighted by back-to-back wins to start their MEC schedule. The Cardinal defense led the way, allowing the fourth-fewest points in the conference at 30.3 points per game. Their defensive secondary was the top unit, forcing 12 interceptions to sit fourth in the conference, while returning one back for a touchdown. The offense would do their part, averaging 27.82 points per game, and eclipsing the 35-point mark in five of their 11 games. They set the single-game record with 67 points in the final game of the regular season, and the offense looks to carry that momentum into 2026.
Building off their record conference finish, the Cardinals set more program history to start 2026, when they were picked #5 in the 2026 MEC Football Preseason Poll. It was their highest preseason poll finish in program history as they enter a year with six games on their home turf. They return a veteran unit on the offensive side, led by graduate student Landon Lutz, who returns for his graduate season. After battling through injury during the 2025 campaign, Lutz looks to lead an offense that has several veteran skill players surrounding him. Dawaun Green and O'Marion Taylor return in the backfield, while Colin Oberdick and Jordan Kaiser return as the top targets. On defense, the Cardinals are a younger unit, but have veteran presence that looks to propel the Cardinals into the future. Leading the way is the linebacking corps, with Awwal Osinuga and Carter Blake leading the way.
The 2026 season will be the ninth season for the Wheeling Football team, as they continue to build off last year's success. Throughout the fall camp, Bruney has been encouraged by the young talent that the team has this season. They have been working through their practice schedule, starting with split practices early in the month, before coming together as camp went on. While many of the Cardinals starting this season are in their first year as a starter, they have been members of the program for several years and know the system. Those players will look to step up this season and be vital parts of helping the Cardinals contend for an MEC title.
Zac Bruney's media day comments will be posted on the MEC social media channels on Thursday. A full recap of the comments will be posted on the wucardinals.com following its release.
