Coach Mike Jacobs' Lenoir-Rhyne squad is among the best in NCAA Division II football when it comes to defense. The Bears allow the third fewest rushing yards per game (37.2), the second fewest points per game (6.0), generate the second most tackles for loss per game (11.5) allow the third fewest passing yards per game (107.2) and have the best red zone defense in the nation by holding opponents to points on just 37.2 percent of their trips.

A big reason for the team's defensive success is junior linebacker Jon Ross Maye. The 6-foot, 230-pounder is averaging 2.1 tackles for loss through the season's first four games while having already collected 20 tackles this season. Maye is one of three Bears picked to the Preseason All-SAC Teams. Defensive lineman Andre Jefferson was named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watchlist prior to the start of the season. The 6-foot-2, 295-pounder has been living in the opponent's backfield this season. Jefferson averages 1.6 tackles for loss per game and has accumulated 18 tackles and two sacks thus far. The third LR player to earn preseason honors on defense was defensive back C'Darius Kelly who has a forced fumble and three pass deflections to his credit in the early going.

On offense, the Bears have one of the league's top running backs in junior Dwayne McGee. McGee rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the season's first three games before missing last week's win at Carson-Newman. Overall, LR is scoring a SAC best 38.8 points per game behind a rushing offense that averages 212 yards per game. The offense has boosted by the special teams play of DeAree Rogers. The punt returner has returned three kicks for a score this season while averaging a league-leading 21.3 yards per punt return.

Across the field, UVA Wise will look to limit the big play. Dane Damron's team allowed two touchdowns of greater than 20 yards in a 38-17 loss to Limestone last week after surrendering four touchdowns of greater than 20 yards in a 28-24 loss at Barton two weeks ago.

The rushing offense has been improved for the Cavaliers. UVA Wise has rushed for an average of 201.5 yards over the last two weeks. Running back Zavier Lomax has scored a touchdown in each contest while Jaevon Gillespie has ran for 200 yards in the two games.

Next week, UVA Wise returns home to face Emory & Henry for Homecoming 2023 while Lenoir-Rhyne is on the road to tangle with Limestone.

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