Coach Joe Reich's squad enters coming off an upset loss at Barton last week as Wingate dropped a 26-20 decision. The defeat knocked Reich's team out of the top ten in the AFCA Coaches' Poll but still in position to make the playoffs.

Wingate brings the South Atlantic Conference's top defense to Wise, limiting opponents to under 300 yards of offense per game. The Bulldogs also boast arguably the league's best special teams unit. To date, Wingate is second in the league in net punting, punt returns and kickoff returns while placekicker McClean Robertson is 12-of-14 on field goal attempts.

UVA Wise will be looking to halt a two-game losing skid and defeat its second ranked foe of the season. Dane Damron's team knocked off then No. 16 Lenoir-Rhyne 35-28 on Oct. 2.

When successful this season, the Cavaliers have used big plays. UVA Wise has forced 15 turnovers this fall while averaging four sacks per game. On offense, the Cavs have struck 39 times for 20-yard plus plays. Senior Devin Heckstall has been the team's primary target when needing a big play. The wide receiver has 14 receptions this season of at least 20 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown reception.

UVA Wise will be looking to win its fourth home game which would mark the most for the program since joining NCAA Division II. The last time the program won at least four home games was in 2011, when the team went 4-2 at home as a NAIA member.

A win would also give the team its second win over ranked opponent this season, marking the first time that has happened since the team made the move to NCAA Division II.

This will be just the second ever meeting between the two schools and the first time the two programs have met in Wise. In 2019, the Bulldogs claimed a 45-13 win in Wingate behind 295 rushing yards.

Next week, UVA Wise will be on the road to face Limestone in a 4 p.m. kickoff before traveling to Catawba the following week. Damron's team wraps up the season on Nov. 13 when the Cavs entertain Barton College for Senior Day 2021.