×

GSC hosts MEC newcomer Wheeling

Photo courtesy Glenville State College Glenville State College sophomore defensive back Delonte Hood nabbed his seventh interception of the year in last week’s loss at the University of Charleston. Hood is second in the country in interceptions per game and is tied for second in Division II in passes defended.

GLENVILLE — Wheeling University will provide the opposition for the noon Saturday kickoff inside Morris Stadium as the Cardinals are set to invade host Glenville State College in Mountain East Conference action.

First-year GSC (4-4, 3-4) boss Mike Kellar’s squad got a 48-yard field goal from Justin Watts to open the scoring last week at Charleston, but it was all Golden Eagles after that in what turned out to be a 42-3 homecoming romp.

The Cardinals (0-8, 0-7) have been competitive at times this season. They led Frostburg State 6-0 early last week and only trailed 21-12 entering the fourth, but came up short 42-12. It didn’t help five turnovers led to 28 points.

“It was one of those things we talked about with our team Monday,” Kellar said of his youthful squad losing to a veteran UC program. “It was a game where I think we ran into a bit of a buzzsaw.

“They’re a team who has a big bunch of juniors and seniors. It was a hard time for us. They (Wheeling) are a team that hasn’t won a game, but they believe they can win this game. They run a very sophisticated system and throw the ball around.”

Unfortunately for Wheeling quarterback Tucker Strachan, he had four interceptions last week and finished 16 of 40 for 156 yards.

The Cardinals had solid production in the run game thanks to Sy Alli (16-99) and Cam’Ron McClain (14-55), both of whom found paydirt. Former Monroe Central all-stater Ryan LaFollette, a 6-foot-2 sophomore wideout, finished last week with eight catches for 83 yards. It was his fifth game of the campaign with eight or more grabs and the ex-Seminole is tied for fifth nationally in receptions per game at 7.9.

The G-men, who went 3 of 22 on third-down conversions versus UC and rank 166th (last) in the country at 18.6 percent (24 of 129), were behind the sticks much like they’ve been a majority of the season.

“It’s really our first down efficiency,” Kellar admitted. “If you can’t really establish a running attack you’re going to get a lot of third-and-9 and third-and-10s. Our youth has something to do with that.

“Our first down efficiency is just so poor. We have no chance converting those third downs. We’re 3-0 at home and we’ve got them at our place. We just need to sharpen up.”

Glenville State will look to get the ground game going as quarterback Tim Heltzel led the way with 37 yards on 17 attempts. Mario Pender was held to 26 yards on nine rushes as Heltzel finished 18 of 42 for 141 yards and two picks. Wideouts Javon Butler and Austin Ratliff combined with tight end Isaac Myers for 14 receptions and 125 of those yards.

The Pioneers sport an MEC best turnover margin of plus-12, which is tied for fourth in the land. The G-men also had five defensive scores and that’s tied for third nationally.

Delonte Hood recorded his seventh pick against UC and is second nationally in interceptions per contest and is tied for second in passes defended. All-American linebacker Dom Cizauskas checks in tied for 15th in solo stops and tied for 21st in total tackles.

Neither squad has been productive in the red zone with ranks of 154th (Wheeling) and 159th (GSC), but that’s allowed Watts to convert a current D2 best 18 field goals. GSC is also 10th in the country in net punting.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today