URBANA, Ohio - - Urbana University shutout UVa-Wise in the second half and used a 21-yard touchdown pass from Cale Burdyshaw to Marc Johnson in the fourth quarter to post a 24-13 victory in the season opener for both schools at Urbana University Stadium on Saturday. The Blue Knights rushed the ball 47 times for 217 yards, 104 of which came from Burdyshaw in the win. The strong rushing performance allowed the host to overcome 13 penalties which marked off 124 yards.

The game's fireworks began on the opening play as UVa-Wise (0-1, 0-1 MEC) attempted an onside kick on the opening play of the season. Trent Martin's onside attempt was unsuccessful as the Blue Knights recovered the kick near mid-field. Two plays later, Burdyshaw hooked up with La'Velle Spivey on a 39-yard touchdown pass to give Urbana a lead it would not relinquish.  Ross Snodgrass' point after attempt was successful to give the host a 7-0 lead with 14:06 to play in the first half.

Coach Dewey Lusk's Cavaliers would get on the board with 6:31 to play in the opening quarter when a 30-yard field goal by Trent Martin capped off a seven-play 51-yard scoring drive.

Urbana (1-0, 1-0 MEC) scored its second touchdown of the opening quarter when Burdyshaw tossed his second touchdown pass of the first 15 minutes .The sophomore signal caller hit tailback David Hill for a 22-yard score. Snodgrass' second point after made the score 14-3 with 4:08 to play in the first quarter.

Freshman Carlton Griffith's first collegiate touchdown brought the Cavaliers within five when he darted in from three yards out. Martin made the extra point to cut the Blue Knights advantage to 14-10 with a minute to play in the first quarter.

Martin's strong Cavalier debut continued with 3:45 to play in the opening half when he booted a 45-yard field goal to finish off a nine-play 46-yard scoring drive.

With its lead cut to one at 14-13, Urbana would score last in the opening half when Snodgrass connected on a 36-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to send his club to the locker room with a 17-13 advantage.

Punting would be the name of the game in the third quarter as neither team was able to mount a serious threat. The big play of the period came when Aaaqil Sheppard picked off UVa-Wise quarterback Ty Ryans and returned the ball to the 27-yard line on the quarter's final play.

Sheppard's interception set up the touchdown pass from Burdyshaw to Johnson and subsequent point after kick for the game's final points.

UVa-Wise was unable to generate any offensive threat for the remainder of the game and Urbana was able to run out the clock behind the legs of Burdyshaw and tailback David Hill.

Hill was the second leading rusher for Ubana as he rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries. Through the air, Burdyshaw completed 11 of 22 passes for 143 yards and a trio of touchdowns.  Snodgrass joined Martin with an exceptional game in the kicking game as he was perfect in point after attempts, made a field goal, and pinned UVa-Wise inside the five-yard line on two separate punts.

Griffith led the Cavaliers in rushing with 75 yards on 10 carries; the freshman also had the longest rush of the day by any player with a 49-yard run.  Terrence Younger hauled in five receptions for 85 yards in the loss while Chris Flood led all players with 14 solo tackles.

UVa-Wise will open the home portion of its schedule next Saturday when West Virginia Wesleyan visits Carl Smith Stadium for a 12 pm kickoff.