WISE - - Saturday's game is Homecoming 2015 and the 25th version of the event will provide fans with their first opportunity to see the new UVa-Wise mascot.

As for the game, coach Dewey Lusk's Cavaliers will be in search of their third consecutive victory over the Yellow Jackets and their first victory of 2015. A year ago, UVa-Wise used a defensive touchdown to defeat West Virginia State 16-13. A similar story unfolded two years ago in Wise when the Cavs scored eight points on defense in an 18-10 triumph.

Already with two wins under its belt, West Virginia State features one of the top quarterbacks in the Mountain East Conference. Matt Kinnick has passed for 1,090 yards and eight touchdowns in the first four games of 2015. Incredibly, 17 different Yellow Jackets have
already caught pass while eight different receivers have a
touchdown reception. Quinton Gray leads the deep core with 22 catches for 295 yards and a score in three games played.

Dennis Gardeck has wrecked havoc in the opposition's backfield this season. The Yellow Jackets' linebacker has a MEC leading six sacks while having also forced two fumbles. His 37 tackles are fourth among all players in the conference.

Possibly, the most impressive statistic for West Virginia State thus far is the fact that their freshman quarterback has yet to throw an interception. His ability to protect the football has allowed his team to be +4 in turnover margin for the season.

UVa-Wise comes in after dropping a 37-21 decision on the road at Glenville State. Facing the nation's top rusher Rahmann Lee, defensive coordinator Dino Kaklis' unit allowed just 63 rushing yards on 44 attempts to the Pioneers. It was the third time in four games an opponent has failed to crack the century mark on the ground. On the year, opponents are averaging 92 rushing yards a game against the Cavs, the second lowest total in the MEC.

Junior linebacker Zachary Blair tied a conference single-game record in last week's loss as his five stops behind the line scrimmage allowed him to enter the record book. His 11 tackles for loss this year are third nationally while his 41.5 tackles for loss are the second most by any UVa-Wise player during their career. Senior wide receiver Terrence Younger caught eight passes for 136 yards and a touchdown at Glenville. His 104 receiving yards per game leads the league.

Next week, UVa-Wise travels to Concord to face the nationally ranked Mountain Lions.