WISE - - UVa-Wise posted a NCAA Division II era best 625 yards in a 35-20 Mountain East Conference victory over Concord University at Smith Stadium Saturday afternoon. Freshman Tanner Bernard completed 24-of-30 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start as the Cavaliers overcame five fumbles to claim their first victory of 2018.
Bernard's favorite target in his inaugural performance was senior Kaian Duverger as he hooked up with the 6-foot-6 wide receiver eight times for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The yardage and touchdowns were career-highs for Duverger who led a group of seven UVa-Wise (1-2, 1-2 MEC) players who caught passes.
Concord (1-2, 1-2 MEC) broke a scoreless game mid-way through the second quarter on a Kyle Akin 15-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Player. The visitors decided to go for two and Tywan Pearce scampered in over the left side to make it an 8-0 contest.
The touchdown came after Concord was limited to 19 yards on 11 plays over the first 15 minutes. Overall, the Mountain Lions posted just 251 yards of total offense against a Cavs' defense that entered play allowing a league-best 297.5 yards per game.
UVa-Wise came within a point with 34 seconds to play in the opening half when Bernard fired the first touchdown pass of his career to Duverger. Following Trevor Owens' conversion kick the two schools entered intermission with the guests leading 8-7.
After forcing a Concord punt on its opening possession of the second half, UVa-Wise took its first lead of the game on its first possession of the third quarter. Sophomore Jamorya Cousin rushed for 26 of his career-high 231 yards on the drive before Bernard hooked up with Duverger on a 23-yard scoring strike. Owens' PAT made it a 14-8 game with 5:18 to play in the third quarter.
Concord quickly answered and tied the game on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Akin to Pearce. The extra point attempt hit the left upright leaving the score knotted at 14 with 3:48 to play in the period.
Following the kickoff Cousin would give the Cavs a lead they would not relinquish as the Bluefield, Va. product took a handoff from Bernard and raced 70 yards off tackle for the first touchdown of his collegiate career.
Bernard's third touchdown pass to Duverger gave UVa-Wise a two score lead with 9:52 to play in the game only to see Concord inch back within a score on a Josh Maxwell 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Needing to run out the clock and holding a 28-20 lead with 5:21 to play, Cavs' Head Coach Dane Damron turned the game over to Cousin who ran the ball on four consecutive plays for 62 yards to move the ball to the Mountain Lions' 18-yard line.
Senior Von Purvis then put the finishing touches on the game as he galloped 18 yards for a score to provide the winning margin of 35-20.
UVa-Wise finished with a NCAA Division II era best 335 rushing yards, the 231 yards on the ground by Cousin also established a new high water mark since the school transitioned to NCAA Division II.
A week ago, Cousin also went over 100 yards marking the first time since November 2014 UVa-Wise has had a back post back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances.
The Cavs defense forced two fumbles, registered two sacks and finished with 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Buster Henderson led the way with seven tackles, including 4.5 for loss.
Concord's Zach Malone led all players with 14 tackles while Akin finished 21-of-32 with 192 yards and two touchdowns through the air, Aikin added 56 rushing yards on seven carries.
Next week, UVa-Wise travels to West Liberty University for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
