WINGATE – The Wingate University Bulldogs scored 35 points
in the second half, defeating UVA Wise 45-7 on Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk
Stadium in South Atlantic Conference football action. The Bulldogs improve to
9-2 overall on the year and 7-2 in SAC play, while the Cavaliers end their
season at 2-9 overall and 1-8 in league play.
The Bulldogs' opening play from scrimmage was intercepted. UVA
Wise was unable to capitalize, punting down to the Wingate 10-yard line. A
47-yard completion to Grant and a 20-yard Wilson run helped Wingate move the
ball down the field to set up a two-yard Crocker TD run, putting the 'Dogs up
7-0 with just over nine minutes left in the opening quarter. The teams traded
punts on their ensuing possessions.
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| Wingate receiver Trevor Grant hauls in the pass Photo Credit: Ashley Garcia |
UVA Wise's 13-play drive went just 48 yards before they
punted back to Wingate. The teams traded back-to-back punts. Midway through the
quarter, the Cavs recovered a fumble near midfield. The Bulldog defense held
strong, forcing yet another punt. Wingate's 13-play, 73-yard drive stalled as
Evans' 24-yarder gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead with just seven seconds left in
the half.
The first three drives of the second half resulted in punts.
Simmons returned UVA Wise's second punt of the half 40 yards to set the 'Dogs
up with a first and goal at the four-yard line. Crocker's three-yard TD pass to
Grant put the 'Dogs up 17-0 with 8:19 left in the third quarter. After two
punts, Wise's Juwan Dent completed a 93-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kirkess to
put the Cavs on the board. Wingate responded right back with a drive consisting
of a 41-yard completion to Grant bookended by completions of 23 yards and 11
yards for a touchdown to Desor. The three-play, 75-yard drive gave WU a 24-7
lead with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter.
UVA Wise punted before turning the Bulldogs over on downs to
start the fourth quarter. Dent's pass was intercepted by Mullen, who returned
it 43 yards into Wise territory. Crocker's 29-yard touchdown pass to Grant
pushed Wingate's lead to 31-7 midway through the quarter. Wise's first play on
the next drive was intercepted by Morrison, who returned it to the Cavalier
11-yard line. Crocker cashed in with a one-yard scoring plunge, as the 'Dogs
led 38-7 with just over five minutes left. On Wise's next drive, Cook forced a
fumble and returned it 15 yards for the score. Marked 21 Wingate points in just
over three minutes. The Bulldogs stopped the Cavaliers on a fourth and one to
ice the victory.
Of Note
This is the sixth straight fall season with at least eight
wins for the Bulldogs. The nine wins are the most since the program-record
10-win season in 2019. Wingate is 56-16 overall in the last five full seasons,
going 37-10 in league play. WU leads the league in overall wins and SAC
victories in that span. The 'Dogs are 77-38 at Irwin Belk Stadium since 2001. The
Bulldogs have now won 36 of the last 37 games when scoring 30 points. Wingate has
scored at least 30 points 25 times since the beginning of '18. WU leads the nation
in TFLs and third-down defense. The 'Dogs are second in total defense and
sacks, ranking fifth in scoring defense. Wingate is fifth nationally in rush
defense and sixth in pass defense. Seventh time this season the Bulldogs have
held an opponent to 10 or fewer points.
KEY STATS
Wingate out-gained UVA Wise 327-231. The Bulldogs gained 129
yards on the ground and 198 through the air. Wise gained just 15 rushing yards
while throwing for 216 yards. WU picked up 16 first downs to the Cavaliers' 15.
The Cavs were seven-for-17 on third down; Wingate was four-of-10. The 'Dogs
cashed in on all five red zone trips; Wise was unsuccessful in both
opportunities. Wingate picked up six sacks on the afternoon, while the
Cavaliers recorded one. The Bulldogs forced three turnovers which all turned
into touchdowns. UVA Wise possessed the ball for nearly 33 minutes.
UP NEXT
Wingate learns its postseason fate during the Division II
NCAA Tournament selection show Sunday at 5:30 pm. The 'Dogs were fifth in this
week's NCAA Super Region 2 poll. The selection show will air on NCAA.com Sunday
evening.
Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics
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