“Massive Reports” As Wheeling Football Opens MEC Schedule At West Virginia Wesleyan
Wheeling, W. Va. – For the third consecutive week, the Wheeling University Football team (1-1, 0-0) will take the field under the lights, this time kicking off their Mountain East Conference schedule against West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon, West Virginia, on Saturday at 6:30 PM. The Cardinals have performed well in their previous prime time games and aim to maintain that momentum as they enter conference play.
In their last outing, the Cardinals faced Walsh on the road in a defensive battle. The first 29 minutes ticked by without any scoring until the Cardinals took possession with just 29 seconds left. Trailing by 74 yards, they advanced through six plays to set up a crucial touchdown as time expired; Javon Davis connected with Steven Mitchell, who leaped across the goal line for a 7-0 halftime lead. Wheeling continued strong after the break, scoring again on their second drive to extend the lead to 14-0. Walsh fought back, adding a field goal in the third quarter and a touchdown early in the fourth to close the gap to 14-10. However, the Cardinals held firm, securing the victory.
The Cardinals’ defense was a standout, keeping Walsh scoreless for most of the first three quarters. They recorded two first-half turnovers and restricted Walsh to just 44 yards of offense in the second quarter. Linebacker Jack Parry led the defense with nine tackles, contributing significantly to the team’s momentum. Now in his second year as middle linebacker, Parry has become the team’s leading tackler this season.
The defensive line also made its mark, forcing two fumbles in the game. The first came when Nose Tackle Chase Nolan dislodged the ball, recovered by Tyriek Scrivner. Nikale Martin forced his second fumble of the season shortly after, again giving the Cardinals an advantage in field position. On offense, running back Dawaun Green had a standout performance with his first 100-yard game of the season, rushing for 103 yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown.
After two non-conference matchups—their first since becoming a varsity program—the Cardinals are now set to begin their MEC schedule. Following Saturday’s game, they have an early bye week in week three. The team will then enter a critical home stretch, playing three of their next four games at Bishop Schmitt Field, where they hold a solid 12-4 record over the past three years. Historically, they have performed well against the Bobcats, averaging over 37 points per game in the past three meetings, and they hope to keep that trend going as the 2024 MEC schedule unfolds.
The Matchup
This will mark the fifth meeting between the Cardinals and Bobcats, with Wheeling holding a 3-1 lead in the series. The Cardinals have won the last three matchups, although their most recent loss came in 2019 at West Virginia Wesleyan. In these encounters, Wheeling has consistently scored high, averaging 38 points per game.
The teams last faced off on October 7, 2023, when the Cardinals recorded a remarkable 58-3 victory, setting a single-game scoring record. That game featured a strong rushing effort, with 11 players combining for 281 yards—highlighted by Jamir Dismukss, who rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Dalton Hoover and J.R. Atkinson were key contributors, recording eight and five tackles, respectively.
Game Information
Saturday’s game will kick off at 6:30 PM at Bobcat Stadium, located on the West Virginia Wesleyan campus. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or keep track of live stats by clicking HERE.
Featured Players
- #31 J.R. Atkinson – LB, 5′ 11″, Sophomore
- #44 Dalton Hoover – LB/LS, 5′ 11″, Sophomore
- #52 Chase Nolan – DL, 6′ 0″, Freshman
- #46 Jack Parry – LB, 6′ 1″, Freshman
- #3 Dawaun Green – RB, 6′ 1″, Redshirt Freshman
- #0 Nikale Martin – DL, 6′ 0″, Redshirt Junior
- #24 Steven Mitchell – WR/RB, 5′ 7″, Redshirt Junior
- #15 Tyriek Scrivner – DL, 6′ 4″, Sophomore
- #9 Javon Davis – QB, 5′ 11″, Graduate Student