WISE - - Saturday's game pits two teams with identical records as 3-2 Urbana University visits 3-2 UVa-Wise. The visiting Blue Knights are in the midst of a three-game winning streak while UVa-Wise is looking to find some offensive consistency following its 34-6 loss at Fairmont State.
Just six points stand between Urbana and an unblemished record. The Blue Knights dropped a pair of three point decisions in the first two weeks of the season before rattling off three consecutive wins.
Coach Tyler Haines' team is among the best in the Mountain East Conference on the defensive side of the ball. Entering Saturday, Urbana leads the nation in sacks per game at 4.4 while being second in the MEC in scoring defense at 17.8 points per game. The Blue Knights also rank second in total defense among conference schools at 287.8 yards allowed per contest. Linebacker Duray Hall leads the league with seven sacks while ranking second in the conference with 49 tackles.
On offense, the Blue Knights like to run the ball and control the clock. Urbana is averaging 46 rushing attempts and 157.2 rushing yards per game. The smash-mouth approach has bolted the team to 12th nationally in time of possession at 33:04 per game. When in need of a big play, the team turns to its senior playmaker Trevon Saunders. This season, Saunders ranks second in the MEC in all-purpose yardage at 174.6 yards per game as he doubles as a receiver and return specialist. At receiver, Saunders has caught four touchdown passes and is averaging 74.8 yards per game and 13.9 yards per catch. In the return game, the 5-foot-8, 162 pound speedster is posting 20.3 yards per kickoff return and 17.2 yards per punt return. Against Lake Erie College, the Columbus, Ohio native returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown.
Having played three quarterbacks in two games, UVa-Wise will look to find some consistency in its offense. The Cavaliers failed to score a touchdown for the second time in three weeks in in their loss at Fairmont State. The offense turned the ball over five times in the loss and has now coughed it up 13 times this season. Freshman receiver Chris Thaxton continues to improve and be a bright spot for the unit. The Richmond, Va. native caught a season-high six passes for 42 yards to mark the second consecutive week he has had at least three receptions.
UVa-Wise's defense continues to be among the best in the conference. After shutting out West Liberty for a half on homecoming, defensive coordinator Shap Boyd's crew limited Fairmont State to 222 yards of total offense. It marked the second time in three weeks the opponent has failed to crack 225 yards of total offense. Senior Ed Kargbo leads the team with 41 tackles while linebackers Donavan Montague (7.5) and Dylan Giovine (6.0) have combined for 13.5 tackles for loss. A trio of players have two interceptions each for a unit that ranks second in the MEC with nine interceptions on the season.
Last year, the Cavs registered 508 yards of total offense and overcame a late fourth quarter deficit to claim a 39-36 win in Urbana. Jacob Cousins caught two touchdown passes while Carlton Griffith rushed for two more in the road victory.
Next week, UVa-Wise visits West Virginia Wesleyan while Urbana returns home to face in-state rival Notre Dame College.
