WISE – UVA Wise held 23rd-ranked ranked Wingate to 28 points but were unable to make up the difference as they fell 28-7 Saturday evening on the Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium.
The Bulldogs came into the contest with one of the more potent offensive attacks in the country and had scored 72 points in their previous game.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Wingate 28, UVA Wise 7
Records: UVA Wise (0-4, 0-3 SAC); Wingate (3-0, 1-0 SAC)
Location: Wise, Virginia | Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first quarter, the Bulldogs took the 14-0 with two touchdowns against the Cavaliers. WU's first scoring drive began at 13:39, with Xavier Pugh rushing for a 3-yard touchdown at 7:02, followed by Caleb Bonesteel's successful extra point to make it 7–0. The Bulldogs continued their offensive momentum with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Holmes to Jaylen Himes at 3:07, extending their lead to 14–0. The Cavs struggled to respond effectively, despite a promising drive that ended in a turnover when Tory Kelly intercepted a pass from
Jake Corkren at the WU 6-yard line with 31 seconds remaining in the quarter.
In the second frame, Wingate extended their lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Holmes to Laron Warner, bringing the score to 21-0 around the ten minute mark. The Highland Cavaliers responded with a drive led by
Daniel Thomas, who rushed for a 23-yard touchdown with 5:49 remaining, cutting the deficit to 21-7. Following a turnover on downs by the Bulldogs, the Cavs had a promising drive, highlighted by a 30-yard completion from Corkren to
DJ Powell, but it ended with an interception by Brandon Perry at the Wingate 11-yard line with 38 seconds left in the half.
The Bulldogs extended their lead in the third quarter with a quick touchdown drive, starting with Jake Snapp's 52-yard kickoff return to the UVA Wise 28-yard line. Holmes connected with Himes for a 20-yard pass, and Pugh capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush at 13:34, followed by Bonesteel's successful extra point, making the score 28-7. The Cavs struggled to maintain momentum despite an initial 29-yard pass from Corkren to Powell, as subsequent plays resulted in a turnover on downs. Wingate's defense held strong, forcing a punt after a three-and-out, while their offense chewed up significant time on the clock, further securing their advantage.
The Cavs opened the quarter by punting from deep in their own territory, allowing WU to start their drive at the UVA Wise 45-yard line. Holmes then led the Bulldogs with an 18-yard rush, though the drive stalled due to penalties. A UVA Wise fumble at 11:26 resulted in Jaden James recovering for WU, but a subsequent fumble by Snapp gave possession back to the Highland Cavaliers. The Cavs then managed a sustained drive, highlighted by a series of completions from Corkren, yet they were unable to capitalize as Omar Ba broke up a fourth-down pass, resulting in a turnover on downs at 6:35. Wingate then controlled the ball for the remainder of the contest to take the 28-7 victory.
GETTING WISE
- Corkren completed 28 of 44 passes for 244 yards with two interceptions.
- Thomas rushed for 60 yards on 18 carries, scoring one touchdown and adding five receptions for 52 yards.
- Powell led the receiving corps with ten catches for 130 yards.
- On defense,
Nasir Spruill recorded ten tackles and forced a fumble, while
Joseph Goeller also recorded ten tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
- UVA Wise held the advantage in passing yards by a 244-229 yard margin, while the Bulldogs stopped the Cavs' rushing attack, outgaining them 223-64. Wingate also controlled the time of possession by a 36:51-23:09 margin.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will host long-time opponent Tusculum University in a SAC game next Saturday at 2 p.m. It will also be Homecoming Weekend on campus, with lots of festivities going on all weekend.
