WISE - - Saturday's game pits the visiting Hilltoppers from West Liberty University and the homestanding Highland Cavaliers of UVa-Wise and all fans will be admitted free of charge.
Following the game, fans will have an opportunity to meet student-athletes from the football, volleyball and men's tennis teams along with members from the cheerleading squad on the field. Prizes will be raffled off, an autograph session will occur and fans can meet their favorite Cavaliers.
As for the game, UVa-Wise enters still in search of its first win of 2015. A week ago, the Cavs struggled in all facets of the game in a 63-21 defeat at Concord University. Senior wide receiver
Terrence Younger continues to be a bright spot for the offense. The former William Campbell High School standout caught five passes for 161 yards. His 710 receiving yards on the season leads the Mountain East
Conference.
Four players experienced collegiate firsts last week,
Camryn Little and
Dorian Harris each scored their first collegiate touchdown. Meanwhile, Tanner O'Quinn caught his first collegiate pass and
Donavan Montague had his first multi-tackle performance as a Cavalier.
Zachary Blair played well on defense as well, the junior linebacker recorded his fifth consecutive double digit tackle game. His 19 tackles for loss this season leads the nation while his 66 total stops ranks second in the conference.
This is the seventh all-time meeting between UVa-Wise and West Liberty. The two schools have split the first six meetings. This is their third meeting as members of the MEC, each team has won on its home field each of the last two seasons. The 'Toppers posted a 35-20 victory in West Liberty last season, the Cavs claimed a 24-13 win in Wise in 2013.
This year, West Liberty has already pulled off one of the more stunning upsets of the year, a 29-28 win over defending conference champion Concord in the opening week of the season.
The 'Toppers like to run the football having rushed the ball at a nearly 2:1 ratio against the pass. Thus far, the team has gained 918 yards on the ground in five games. Jeremiah
Ortiz has done the bulk of the damage as he has gained 441 yards while rushing for three touchdowns.
When West Liberty goes to the air, Daree' Goodwin is a player to watch. The senior has hauled in seven touchdowns while also leading the team with 25 catches and 390 receiving yards.
Opponents are scoring 31.4 points per game against the 'Toppers and averaging nearly 400 yards of total offense a contest.
Next up for UVa-Wise is a trip to Fairmont State before returning home to face Urbana University in two weeks.
