WISE - - For the first time since 2012 and the first time since joining NCAA Division II, UVA Wise knocked off a ranked opponent as Dane Damron's team took down No. 16 Lenoir-Rhyne 35-28 on Homecoming 2021 at Carl Smith Stadium.

Arguably the biggest win for the program in the last 14 seasons, UVA Wise (3-2, 2-1 SAC) had to make several big plays late to put away Lenoir-Rhyne (2-2, 1-2 SAC).

J'Quan Anderson put the Cavaliers in front 35-20 with 4:41 to play, seemingly putting the game out of reach. However, the nationally ranked Bears had other ideas.

Lenoir-Rhyne took the ensuing kickoff and marched the ball 77 yards on 11 plays before scoring a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kellin Parson from Grayson Williams. The duo connected on a two-point conversion play to make it a 35-28 contest with 1:50 remaining.

The Bears would then successfully execute an onside kick to take over near midfield.

On the second play from scrimmage, Markel Dailey stepped up and made what may be the biggest play of the season in what has already been a playmaking season for the defensive back. Dailey stepped in front of a pass for his second interception of the day.

UVA Wise would be unable to run the clock out on the following possession but, a 45-yard punt by Drew Vermillion would put Lenoir-Rhyne inside its own 20-yard with less than a minute to play with no time outs.

Joel Burgess would put the winning touches on the game for the Cavs as his team-leading 11th tackle of the day would be a sack that would allow the clock to run out, securing the milestone win for the program.

Burgess' sack highlighted a six-sack effort for UVA Wise as the defense also intercepted a trio of passes in the game.

UVA Wise took a 14-7 lead in the first quarter following a 23-yard touchdown pass from Lendon Redwine to Darrien Newton and a 1-yard touchdown scamper by Anderson. From there, the hosts never trailed.

Cam Blakely would haul in a 5-yard touchdown pass while the Bears' Chase Allbaugh booted a 43-yard field goal to send the game to intermission with UVA Wise leading 21-10.

In the third quarter the schools traded touchdowns as Jaevon Gillespie scored on a 22-yard touchdown run and Dwayne McGee countered with a 4-yard scamper for Lenoir-Rhyne.

Several players had big statistical days for UVA Wise. Redwine finished a yard shy of 300 passing yards, Newton grabbed six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown, JJ McNeil III caught six passes for 69 yards and Blakely added 45 receiving yards to his touchdown.

Veronta Jones joined Burgess with double-digit tackles with 10 as the duo combined for three of the team's six sacks. The Cavs finished with 11 tackles for loss; Michael Rowser led the rush to the backfield with 2.5 TFLs.

Dailey finished with a pair of interceptions to give him a NCAA Division II leading best five INTs to this point in the season. The defensive back added six solo tackles to his performance and a pass break up.

For Lenoir-Rhyne, Deondre Lester led all players with 14 catches and 122 receiving yards. McGee led all players in rushing with 160 yards on 24 carries.

The win was the first for UVA Wise over a ranked opponent since defeating Bethel in 2012, 24-21. At the time, the Wildcats were ranked No. 12 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. With the victory, the Cavs are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2017 while also being above the .500 mark after five weeks of play for the first time since that season.

Next week, UVA Wise will look for its fourth consecutive home win to start the season when Newberry College visits Smith Stadium. Kickoff is slated for noon Saturday.