WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - - Teams may want to start picking another homecoming opponent. UVa-Wise claimed its second road homecoming win of the year Saturday with a 28-27 win at West Liberty University's West Family Stadium.

Senior linebacker Zachary Blair blocked a potential game-winning field goal with less than a minute to play to seal the fourth come-from-behind victory of 2016 for UVa-Wise (5-2, 4-2 MEC).

Blair's blocked kick proved to be heart breaking for West Liberty (3-4, 3-4 MEC) who had thought it had taken the lead one play earlier when Dakota Conwell fired what appeared to be a touchdown pass to Dan Monteroso. Monteroso would be unable to drag a foot in bounds, forcing the Hilltoppers to attempt the game-winning field goal.

With all three of its timeouts remaining, West Liberty had an opportunity to get the ball back but junior running back Carlton Griffith sealed the deal with a 27-yard run off left tackle. The run was one of many on the day for the Ft. Belvoir native as he gained a career-high 156 yards in the win. The performance snapped a streak of 18 consecutive games without a 100-yard rusher for UVa-Wise.

Ironically, Griffith was the last back to gain 100 yards when he galloped for a then career-high 111 yards against West Liberty in 2014.

While Griffith finished the game with excitement, he began it with a touchdown. On the third play from scrimmage, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound back raced 55 yards for a touchdown. Less than five minutes later, he would score again by capping a 9-play, 75-yard drive with a 4-yard TD scamper.

The quick start by the Cavs gave them a 13-7 lead as the 'Toppers got on the board thanks to a 1-yard TD plunge by Tyler Peterson. Peterson's score was aided by a 70-yard run from Conwell, it was the longest play allowed by the UVa-Wise defense this season.

Conwell's run highlighted what was otherwise a dismal showing offensively for West Liberty. The 'Toppers produced just 186 yards of total offense on their other 61 plays from scrimmage.

West Liberty took its first lead of the contest at the 6:36 mark of the opening quarter when Monterso hauled in a 22-yard TD pass from Conwell. Christian Morris' extra point made the score 14-13 in favor of the hosts.

The play was setup by a Logan Deri interception and subsequent return. The redshirt freshman returned the ball inside the Cavaliers' 20-yard line.

Following a three-and-out by the UVa-Wise offense, West Liberty was back in scoring possession thanks to a punt return by Monterso that gave the 'Toppers the ball on the Cavs' 29-yard line.

Conwell wasted little time finding the end zone again as the signal caller fired a 17-yard TD pass to Shane Phillips with 4:08 to play in the first quarter. The PAT gave West Liberty an eight point lead at 21-13.

UVa-Wise would have the only scoring opportunity of the second quarter as Dane Damron's team moved the ball 57 yards on 12 plays only to come up without points as a 40-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

Ed Kargbo would thwart the 'Toppers best scoring chance of the second quarter when he intercepted a Conwell pass at the Cavs' 19-yard line.

UVa-Wise would squander its other offensive possessions in the half as the visitors lost two fumbles.

The Cavs' defense would hold the 'Toppers off the board thanks to Will Clift's first collegiate interception and a sack late in the half by Blair.

UVa-Wise's ground game and the emergence of freshman tight end Jake Barnett would pay dividends in the second half. On a 48-yard scoring drive, the Cavs picked up 23 yards on the ground and 25 more from two of Barnett's game-high nine receptions. Javonte Latney put the finishing touches on the drive with a 5-yard TD to make the score 21-19.

Redshirt freshman Brycen Lee hooked up with James Cousins on a 2-point conversion play to knot the score at 21 all.

The tie was short lived as Osman Kargbo returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a West Liberty touchdown. Morris' extra point attempt would be no good, leaving the 'Toppers with a six point lead.

The score would remain unchanged until senior Jeremy Eubank came in and fired a 4-yard TD pass to Jacob Cousins. The successful conversion kick made the score 28-27 with 8:38 to play.

West Liberty would fail to gain a single first down in the fourth quarter until its final drive when the 'Toppers took over on their own 38-yard line down one.

West Liberty advanced the ball to the UVa-Wise 8-yard line before being knocked back to the 15-yard line and having to settle for the field goal attempt.

UVa-Wise dominated the game in terms of total yardage, outgaining West Liberty 500 to 256. Barnett and Griffith combined for 273 of the yards as the tight end finished with nine catches for 97 yards.

James Cousins added 83 yards while brother Jacob Cousins hauled in four receptions for 53 yards. On defense, Blair posted six solo stops, including the sack, while Andre Hamilton and Maurice Watkins had four stops each.

Conwell finished with 102 rushing yards and 121 passing yards in the loss. Monteroso had 89 receiving yards.

For the second consecutive week, the Cavs forced three turnovers. Thus far, UVa-Wise has forced 14 turnovers through seven games, the number matches the total forced in the entire 2015 season.

UVa-Wise has now won four consecutive games for the first time since 2008 and with five wins have matched their win total from the previous three seasons combined.

Next week, UVa-Wise will look to secure its first winning season since 2008 when Fairmont State University visits Carl Smith Stadium in a 1 p.m. kickoff.