MARS HILL, N.C. - - Mars Hill recorded six sacks, limited UVA Wise to 29 rushing yards and passed for five touchdowns en route to a 44-9 win in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both schools Saturday at Meares Stadium.
UVA Wise (1-2, 0-1 SAC) started fast; Mars Hill (2-1, 1-0 SAC) quarterback Jimmy Urzua was picked off by Markel Dailey on the game's second play to set Dane Damron's team up at the Lions' 35-yard line.
A player later, Lendon Redwine fired a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Fisher giving the visitors a 6-0 advantage.
The two schools would then trade punts before Mars Hill embarked on a 16-play scoring drive that culminated on a Ty Snelson 1-yard touchdown scamper.
It was the start of a big day for the fullback who finished with three touchdowns while also delivering numerous bone-crushing blocks in the win.
The Lions added a 36-yard field goal to take a 9-6 lead to the second quarter before erupting for 21 points to take a 30-9 lead to intermission.
Urzua hooked up with CJ Thompson on an 85-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the period before Snelson hauled in a 21-yard scoring strike. Urzua added a 1-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the half to essentially put the game out of reach.
The lone score of the quarter for the Cavs came on a 38-yard field goal off the foot of Drew Cassidy.
The Lions tacked on a pair of touchdown passes in the second half, one a 3-yard reception by Snelson to post the 44-9 triumph.
It was a day of missed opportunities for UVA Wise. The Cavs fumbled the ball three times, threw an interception, dropped numerous passes and were assessed 11 penalties for 119 yards.
Thompson led Mars Hill with 130 receiving yards on seven catches as Urzua finished with 224 passing yards and four touchdowns.
For UVA Wise, Redwine completed 15-of-30 passes for 189 yards. Fisher was the leading receiver with 70 yards on five catches.
Defensively, Patrick Taylor and Deandre Williams paced the Cavs with 10 tackles each. The Lions were led by Nick Jackson who recorded six stops and forced a fumble. Denzel Patton and Earl Adams had 1 ½ sack each for Mars Hill.
Next week, UVA Wise returns home to face Carson-Newman in a 12 p.m. kickoff.
