WISE — A late goal-line stand by Newberry held off a valiant comeback effort by UVA Wise as the Highland Cavaliers lost their South Atlantic Conference opener to the Wolves 31-24 Saturday evening on the Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Newberry 31, UVA Wise 24
Records: UVA Wise (0-2, 0-1 South Atlantic Conference); Newberry (1-0, 1-0 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium
FIRST QUARTER
- UVA Wise opened the game with a strong offensive drive that took 5:15 off the clock, capped by
Jake Corkren's 35-yard touchdown pass to
Peyton McClanahan with 9:45 left.
- On the ensuing kickoff, Newberry's Quez Spells immediately responded with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7 with 9:31 remaining.
- Newberry then took the lead at 2:28 when Kenmane Brunson rushed for a 3-yard touchdown, concluding a methodical 73-yard drive.
- The Cavaliers'
Andon Rogers sparked a late drive with a 23-yard rush, but the quarter ended with an incomplete pass at Newberry's 31-yard line.
SECOND QUARTER
-
Daniel Thomas opened the quarter with a 31-yard touchdown run for the Cavs, tying the game at 14-14 just seven seconds into the period.
- After Newberry went three-and-out, Corkren led a 15-play, 61-yard drive, highlighted by a 12-yard completion to Rogers and a personal foul penalty against Newberry that advanced the Highland Cavaliers to the 7-yard line. A few plays later,
Jake Marcantel converted a 19-yard field goal at 7:24, giving the Cavs a 17-14 lead.
- Newberry responded with a 50-yard drive, capped by Burke Nettles' 24-yard field goal, tying the game at 17-17 with 4:13 remaining in the half.
THIRD QUARTER
- Newberry began the quarter with a solid defensive effort, forcing a three-and-out on UVA Wise's initial possession.
- Newberry capitalized on their next drive, as Reed Charpia connected with Keith Desaussure for a 22-yard touchdown pass at 9:03, extending their lead.
- Despite a strong kickoff return of 32 yards by
DJ Powell, the Highland Cavaliers' offense was unable to capitalize on their next two possessions.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Newberry's Charpia connected on a 54-yard pass to Rico Dorsey Jr., setting up a short touchdown pass to Jonah Norris at 13:17, extending their lead to 31-17.
- UVA Wise responded with a determined drive, as Thomas rushed for 37 yards on six carries, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:47 remaining, narrowing the deficit to 31-24.
- On the ensuing possession, the Highland Cavaliers' defense held firm, forcing a punt after a three-and-out by Newberry.
- UVA Wise's final drive the team get first and goal at the two yard line, but the Wolves' defense stalled the Cavalier attack and the Wolves took over and downs and held on for the win.
GETTING WISE
- Corkren completed 20 of 36 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 12 yards on seven attempts.
- Thomas carried the ball 43 times for 161 yards, and two touchdowns. His 161 yards are the third-most in the program's NCAA Era (2013-present), trailing only the 231 by Jamorya Cousin vs. Concord on Sept. 15, 2018. They are also the most by a Highland Cavalier in a game since Jaevon Gillespie had 166 vs. Carson-Newman on Sept. 25, 2021.
- McClanahan contributed three catches for 49 yards, including a touchdown reception.
- Powell made seven receptions, accumulating 67 receiving yards.
-
DaCorian Jones-Montgomery,
Bryson Myers, and
Jimmie Simmons led the Cavs with five tackles apiece.
- UVA Wise had 28 first downs to 13 by the Wolves. They also had a 225 yards - 75 yards advantage in rushing yards and also led in passing yards by a 234-201 margin
- Newberry moves to 3-0 in the all-time series with the win.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will travel to Salisbury, North Carolina, next Saturday to face off against Catawba in South Atlantic Conference action. The matchup is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
