EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team (4-2, 3-1 SAC) scored 17 points off five turnovers by the University of Virginia's College at Wise (1-5, 0-4 SAC) on its way to a 34-14 win in Southwest Virginia Bowl V. It was the first meeting between the Wasps and the Cavaliers since 2011 and the first-ever with the programs as conference rivals.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 34, UVA Wise 14
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Nicewonder Field at Fred Selfe Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-2, 3-1 SAC); UVA Wise (1-5, 0-4 SAC)
How It Happened
The Cavaliers received the opening kickoff and Robert Carter scampered 96 yards down the right sideline to make it a 7-0 just 13 seconds into the game.
After an interception by junior defensive back Addison Knicely (Mount Crawford, Va.), drove inside the 20 yardline and closed the gap to 7-3 on a 25-yard field goal by freshman kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.). The Wasps grabbed another interception on the second play of the next with redshirt freshman defensive back Chendrick Cann (St. Petersburg, Fla.) coming away with the ball near midfield. Emory & Henry went down the field 53 yards in eight plays capped by a five-yard pass over the middle from junior quarterback Kyle Short (Lebanon, Ohio) to sophomore tight end Roman Ridley (Bedford, Va.) to go up 10-7.
After a third interception, this time by senior defensive back T.J. Payne (Chattanooga, Tenn.) the Wasps struck down the field with a six-play, 71-yard drive resulting in an eight-yard touchdown grab by junior wideout Tmahdae Penn (Martinsville, Va.). The resulting PAT was blocked, but the Cavaliers attempt at a return failed to leave the end zone, resulting in the most elusive scoring play in football – a one-point safety. E&H led 17-7 at the intermission.
Returning to action, E&H ate up 4:15 of the third-quarter clock as senior running back Grayson Overstreet (Moneta, Va.) plunged in from one yard out to push E&H's lead to 24-7.
UVA Wise finally got its offense in order on the next drive and manufactured an 11-play, 75-yard possession that resulted in a five-yard rushing touchdown by Seth Howard to make the score 24-14.
In the fourth quarter, Emory & Henry added a 20-yard field goal by Butcher and a five-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by fifth-year linebacker Ivan Phillips (Kingsport, Tenn.) after fifth-year defensive lineman Donovan Pinnix (Eden, N.C.) knocked the ball loose on a sack to make the final score 34-14.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Short was 21-for-32 through the air for 261 yards and two touchdowns, hitting 10 different receivers on the afternoon. Junior wideout Jermawn Ford (District Heights, Md.) caught four passes for 63 yards while Penn had four receptions for 40 yards and a score. Ridley notched three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown while fifth-year wide receiver Kashawn Cosey (Chattanooga, Tenn.) hauled in three balls for 40 yards.
Overstreet led the E&H ground game with 71 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown as freshman running back Justin Hill (Dallas, N.C.) went for 13 yards.
Defensively, Knicely had 11 tackles and an interception while Phillips posted 10 stops and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Fifth-year defensive back Jaylyn Kreimes (Sharps, Va.) posted seven tackles, an interception and an additional pass defended while sophomore linebacker A.J. Burgess (Roxboro, N.C.) notched seven tackles of his own.
UVA Wise Individual Leaders
The Cavaliers' quarterbacks struggled all afternoon, throwing for just 70 yards. Lendon Redwine managed just two completions for two yards but was plagued by four interceptions. Juwan Dent went 6-for-9 on the afternoon for a team-leading 43 yards while Jalen Jackson added 25 yards.
Julian Edwards led the Wise rushing attack with 80 yards on 22 carries while Markel Harrison tallied 28 yards on the ground.
Job Whalen and Markel Dailey each had seven tackles on the afternoon with Dailey breaking up a pair of passes. Patrick Taylor and Trevor Morris added six stops each as Taylor made two behind the line of scrimmage in addition to a pair of passes defended.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry posted 338 yards of total offense, gaining 261 through the air and 77 on the ground. The Wasps racked up 19 first downs and controlled the ball for nearly 35 minutes.
UVA Wise gained just 214 yards on the afternoon with 144 rushing yards and 70 passing yards. The Cavaliers threw four interceptions and lost one fumble.
E&H was 8-for-17 on third down (47.1%) compared to just 5-for-13 (38.4%) for Wise.
The Wasps were penalized five times for 45 yards and the Cavaliers were flagged seven times totaling 78 yards.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will be on the road for its next two contests, visiting Mars Hill University next Saturday for a SAC matchup against the Lions. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
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