SALISBURY, NC– UVA Wise used a strong first half, including over 200 yards by
Daniel Thomas, to build up a 34-27 lead over Catawba. The host Catawba Indians would battle back in the second half to hold the Highland Cavaliers scoreless and surge ahead for the 44-34 South Atlantic Conference win Saturday evening.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Catawba 44, UVA Wise 34
Records: UVA Wise (0-3, 0-2 SAC); Catawba (2-1, 1-1 SAC)
Location: Salisbury, North Carolina | Shuford Stadium
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first quarter, Catawba opened the scoring with long drive, culminated by Bennett Galloway's 2-yard touchdown run at 8:54, although the extra point attempt by Bryson Sims was missed. The Cavaliers quickly responded, as
Jake Corkren's pass to
DJ Powell resulted in a 52-yard touchdown, followed by a successful PAT by
Jake Marcantel, putting the Cavs ahead 7-6. Later in the quarter,
Daniel Thomas made a significant impact with a 73-yard rush, setting the stage for Corkren's 11-yard rushing touchdown at 0:39, and Marcantel's extra point extended their lead to 14-6. The quarter concluded with a defensive highlight for the Highland Cavaliers as
Brub Hines III sacked Catawba's Preston Brown, capping a dynamic period of play.
Catawba opened the second quarter with Preston Brown connecting with Amari McArthur for a 60-yard touchdown pass at 14:10, giving Catawba a 13-14 lead. They then extended their lead to 20-14 with a 4-yard touchdown run by Brown at 10:33. The Cavs responded promptly, with
Daniel Thomas rushing for a 6-yard touchdown at 7:52, though the subsequent extra point was missed, leveling the score at 20-20. UVA Wise then surged ahead when
DaCorian Jones-Montgomery intercepted a pass from Brown and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown at 7:39. On their next drive Thomas broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run at 3:36, pushing the score to 34-20. Catawba managed to close the gap with a late 39-yard touchdown pass from Brown to RJ Jackson at 1:07, but the Highland Cavaliers maintained their lead to finish the period with the 34-27 lead.
The third quarter began with another long Catawba drive, including a 31-yard connection to Bo Pryor, that reached the Cavaliers' 28-yard line, but a 45-yard field goal attempt by Bryson Sims fell short. Catawba capitalized on their next possession, with a 98-yard drive culminating in a 5-yard touchdown rush by Brown at 2:51, followed by a successful extra point by Sims.
Catawba began the fourth quarter by driving into the Highland Cavaliers' territory, highlighted by Kevin Lalin's 18-yard rush to UVA Wise's 2-yard line. After a fumble recovery kept Catawba in possession, Bryson Sims extended their lead with a 30-yard field goal at 12:26, making it 37-34. The Cavs responded with a strong offensive drive, including a 62-yard pass from Corkren to Thomas, but their efforts stalled at the Catawba 1-yard line, resulting in a missed 18-yard field goal attempt at 9:38. Catawba capitalized on this momentum, with Brown completing a 41-yard touchdown pass to McArthur at 6:55, increasing their lead to 44-34, a score they held onto for the remainder of the game.
ABOUT CATAWBA
Quarterback Preston Brown led the Catawba offense, completing 25 of 29 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed on the ground with 35 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Amari McArthur made a significant impact with five receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Bennett Galloway added depth to the running game, rushing for 138 yards on 18 carries, including a touchdown. Additionally, wide receiver RJ Jackson caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown, further bolstering the Catawba passing attack.
GETTING WISE
Daniel Thomas led the offensive charge with 256 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, also adding a 62-yard reception. The rushing yards set a new NCAA-era single-game record for the program. He was 33 yards shy of the all-time program record of 289 yards, set by Ra'Shad Morgan against Cumberland University in Wise on September 23, 2006. His 313 all-purpose yards are also amongst the highest in the NCAA era.
Quarterback
Jake Corkren contributed through the air with 175 passing yards and one touchdown, completing 11 of 21 passes, and added 50 rushing yards with another score on the ground.
Defensively,
Brub Hines III made an impact with 10 tackles and one sack while
DaCorian Jones-Montgomery had a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown.
UP NEXT
The team will return home to host Wingate next Saturday at 6 p.m. It will be the final night game of the season for the Cavs. The Bulldogs, who are receiving votes in this week's AFCA poll, will enter the game with a 2-0 record after blasting Bluefield State 72-7 earlier today. This will be their conference opener.
