WISE - - Off back-to-back wins, UVa-Wise (3-4, 3-4 MEC) will look to win three in a row for the first time since 2016 while Charleston (4-3, 4-2 MEC) will try to avoid its first four-game losing streak since 2016 when the teams meet in University of Charleston Stadium Saturday at 1 p.m.
The game will pit two of the nation's top defenses. Charleston enters the contest ranked eighth nationally in total defense, allowing opponents 260.3 yards per game while UVa-Wise is ranked 12th holding teams to 273.6 yards per game.
The strength of the Golden Eagles defense has been its rushing defense which ranks 11th nationally. This season, teams are averaging just 87 yards per game and just 2.7 yards per attempt. A big reason for the number is the 19 sacks tallied by the Charleston defense. Senior Kahzin Daniels leads the way with 6.5 sacks through the season's first seven games. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has multiple sacks in four games while ranking 19th nationally in the category.
 Conversely, it has been the pass defense that has anchored the defensive unit for UVa-Wise. The Cavaliers rank eighth nationally in pass defense, opponents are passing for just 141 yards per game while completing 47.8 percent of pass attempts. The group has been even more impressive as the season has progressed. During the team's current two-game winning streak, opponents are 19-of-58 for 149 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Senior linebacker
Donavan Montague and redshirt sophomore defensive back
Marquis Hamilton have led the way for defensive coordinator
Shap Boyd. Montague ranks 16th nationally with 10 tackles for loss, five of which have been sacks. Meanwhile, Hamilton is seventh nationally in passes defended with his three interceptions and nine pass break ups. Two weeks ago, Hamilton intercepted a pair of passes in a win at Urbana before breaking up six passes in last week's win over West Virginia Wesleyan.
UVa-Wise has turned its season around by limiting turnovers, getting healthy and using its depth at the running back position. Quarterback
Tanner Bernard is in the midst of 75 consecutive passes without an interception, the offensive line is returning to health and three different running backs have scored a rushing touchdown this season. A win would give the Cavs their first three-game winning streak since the 2016 season and allow the team to get back to the .500 mark since November of 2017.
Following the game, UVa-Wise will have its first bye week since the 2002 season before returning home for the team's final home game of the season on Nov. 3 against No. 14 Notre Dame College. Charleston will face Notre Dame next week in South Euclid, Ohio.
