WISE - - UVa-Wise overcame an early 10-0 deficit to post a 26-17 Mountain East Conference football victory over visiting Glenville State College at Carl Smith Stadium Saturday. The victory came in front of nearly 2,700 fans who turned out for Homecoming 2016 at UVa-Wise.

After falling behind 10-0 after a quarter of play, UVa-Wise (2-2, 1-2 MEC) redshirt freshman quarterback Brycen Lee began to find his groove with receivers Jacob and James Cousins.

The Mayo, Fla. native got the Cavs on the board when he hooked up with James Cousins on a 17-yard touchdown strike with 6:36 to play in the opening half. Trent Martin's successful conversion kick cut Glenville State's (3-1, 3-1 MEC) lead to 10-7.

Later in the half, Lee found Jacob Cousins for a 65-yard touchdown connection. The PAT kick gave UVa-Wise a 14-10 advantage, it would be lead Dane Damron's team would not relinquish.

Glenville State built its lead behind a 47-yard field goal off the foot of Chandler Carrera and a 23-yard touchdown reception by D.J. Williams. The two scores were aided by a pair of Pioneers' interceptions that set the visitors up inside the Cavs' 40-yard line.

After forcing Glenville State to go three-and-out on its opening second half possession, UVa-Wise took over on its own 47-yard line. The Cavs wasted little time finding the end zone once more. Following an 18-yard run by Carlton Griffith and a seven-yard reception by Corey Hilberath, Lee found Javonte Latney in the flat for what appeared to be a modest gain. The junior running back made a sequence of moves to elude Glenville State defenders on his way to a 28-yard touchdown.

Martin's PAT was blocked, leaving the score 20-10 with 12:45 to play in the third period.

The Pioneers would be forced to punt on their next possession giving the ball back to the Cavs on their own 23-yard line. Glenville State's defense rose to the occasion and forced the hosts into a three-and out.

The ensuing punt would provide the Pioneers with a big boost as Giles Guy-Williams fielded the punt and raced 61 yards for the touchdown. Carrera's PAT was good, cut the lead to 20-17 with 9:29 to play in the third quarter.

Neither school would generate any offense until Lee found James Cousins for a 96-yard touchdown with 8:16 to play in the game. The touchdown pass was the second longest in program history, falling two yards short of a 98-yard touchdown reception by Mike Owens.

Martin's PAT was unsuccessful leaving the score 26-17.

Glenville State would respond with one of its best drives of the game. The Pioneers began on their own 25-yard line following a touchback before methodically moving down the field. Dante Roberts began the drive with a 12-yard completion to Dante Absher before a 15-yard penalty against the Cavs moved the ball near mid-field two plays later.

Roberts hot hand would continue as the signal caller would complete four more passes on the drive to get Glenville State to the UVa-Wise eight-yard line. Down nine, the Pioneers elected to try a 25-yard field goal to make it a one score game. Carrera's kick sailed wide left giving the Cavs the ball back with 5:55 to play in the fourth quarter.

UVa-Wise would pick up one first down on its next drive as Lee would find Jacob Cousins for an 18-yard completion. Jacob Cousins would fumble the ball only to have James Cousins recover and advance the ball to the Glenville State 37.

The Cavs would move the ball to the Pioneers 15-yard line before finding themselves in a fourth down and seven. Electing to go for it on fourth down, Lee was picked off in the end zone turning the ball back over to Glenville State.

From that point, the Pioneers all but abandoned the run. Roberts completed five passes on a drive that moved the ball from the Glenville State 20-yard line to the UVa-Wise 20-yard line. Again, the drive would be for naught, as Carrera's 37-yard field goal missed wide right, with 17 seconds to play. Glenville State attempted the field goal in effort to make it a one score game, however the missed field goal allowed UVa-Wise to take a knee to run out the clock.

Lee passed for a season-high 346 yards and four touchdowns while James Cousins finished with four receptions for 127 yards and two scores. Jacob Cousins finished with 115 receiving yards and a score on four receptions.

The UVa-Wise defense was led by Zachary Blair. The senior linebacker registered a game-high ten tackles, including two for loss. Ed Kargbo added six tackles from the Cavs' secondary.

Roberts passed for 257 yards in the loss. Absher was the game's leading receiver with 12 catches for 113 yards.

Neither school did much on the ground, UVa-Wise was limited to 38 yards while Glenville State tallied just 47 yards of offense.

The win was the first home win for first-year Head Coach Dane Damron.

Next week, UVa-Wise will travel to Institute, W.Va. to face West Virginia State in another MEC contest.