CLINTON, SC -- The 36th season of UVA Wise football opened with a barn burner at the Highland Cavaliers fell to Presbyterian 47–37 on Thursday at Bailey Memorial Stadium. The Cavs accumulated 472 total offensive yards in the loss, including 338 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Presbyterian 47, UVA Wise 37
Records: UVA Wise (0-1); Presbyterian (1-0)
Location: Clinton, SC| Bailey Memorial Stadium
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
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Braylon Henry intercepted a pass from Landon Sharpe at the 14:46 mark, setting up UVA Wise's drive from the Presbyterian 34-yard line.
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McCalan Beason connected with
Thomas McCoy for a 17-yard touchdown pass at 12:50, giving the Cavs an early lead.
- Presbyterian responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Damion Moate at 9:02.
- The quarter ended with both teams tied at 7–7.
Second Quarter
- Presbyterian opened the quarter with a 34-yard field goal by Kade Bailey, tying the game at 10–10 at 11:38.
- Beason directed a UVA Wise drive that included a 20-yard completion to McCoy, leading to a 35-yard field goal by Lawson, tying the score at 10–10.
- Presbyterian regained the lead, 17–10, with a 2-yard touchdown run by Jackson Burleson at 5:52.
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Tre'mell Washington's 56-yard touchdown reception from Beason pulled the Highland Cavaliers within one point, 17–16, to close the half.
Third Quarter
- Presbyterian capitalized on a turnover with Landon Sharpe connecting with Jalen Patrick for a 17-yard touchdown at 14:48, extending its lead.
- UVA Wise responded swiftly as Beason broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run at 13:40, closing the gap.
- After another Presbyterian touchdown drive, Beason found
Hunter Purdue for a 42-yard touchdown pass at 10:04, narrowing the deficit.
- Presbyterian extended its lead with a 4-yard touchdown run by Sharpe at 5:07, concluding the third quarter ahead 38–30.
Fourth Quarter
- Presbyterian missed a 35-yard field goal early in the quarter, leaving the score unchanged.
- Beason's 15-yard rush brought the Cavs close to a first down, but the drive ended with a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass at 12:21.
- Kade Bailey converted a 23-yard field goal to extend Presbyterian's lead to 44–30 with 10:38 remaining.
- Beason later orchestrated a 63-yard pass to
Hunter Purdue, setting up a 1-yard touchdown rush to close the gap to 47–37 with under a minute left.
- Presbyterian ran out the clock to secure the victory with a final score of 47–37.
GETTING WISE
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McCalan Beason posted 338 passing yards on 20-of-42 attempts, throwing three touchdowns and adding 99 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 16 carries. The 99 rushing yards by a QB in a game are a new program NCAA-era record.
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Hunter Purdue recorded 163 receiving yards on six receptions, including one touchdown.
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Tre'mell Washington contributed significantly with 103 receiving yards and one touchdown on six catches.
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Thomas McCoy added 52 receiving yards and one touchdown on four receptions, making a notable impact in the game.
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Landon Goeller led the defense with nine tackles, while
Jalen Pickens had seven tackles and 1.5 sacks.
- The 338 total receiving yards were the most in a game since Nov. 2, 2024 when the Cavs had 369 against Tusculum.
- The last time a UVA Wise quarterback rushed for 90 or more yards in a game was a 92 yard perfotmance by Ty Ryans at West Virginia State on Oct. 25, 2014.
- The last time a receiver had 160 or more receiving yards in a game was 173 yards by Kalan Duverger vs Concord on Sept. 15, 2018.
- This is the 36th season of UVA Wise football and it was the 361st game in program history.
UPNEXT
Up next for the Highland Cavaliers is the home opener against Chowan on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. It will be the annual Lelia Maude Richmond Game, which honors the longtime supporter of UVA Wise athletics.
