NORTH CANTON, OH: The Walsh University Football team earned their second straight win on Saturday night after securing a hard-fought 23-21 victory over the Wheeling University Cardinals. The Maroon and Gold built a 23-7 lead in the third quarter before Wheeling battled back, but the Cavalier defense came up with the plays needed to secure the victory.
The first quarter was a defensive battle as neither team could find the end zone. But the second quarter was a different story as the Walsh offense was sparked in the second quarter. Brendan Zurbrugg led the Cavs on a 90-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run, putting Walsh on the board. The extra point was unsuccessful, leaving the Maroon and Gold with a 6-0 advantage. The Cavs continued to control the game late in the first half. After the Walsh defense forced Wheeling to miss a 36-yard field goal attempt, Andrew Caranna connected on a 32-yard field goal with just 40 seconds remaining in the half. Walsh took the 9-0 lead into the break.
The third quarter turned into an offensive battle as both teams found the end zone. Wheeling opened the half with a touchdown to cut the lead to 9-7, but the Cavs quickly answered. Jake Gill powered into the end zone from four yards out to push the Walsh lead back to nine.Wheeling answered with a 49-yard touchdown pass, but the Cavs responded once again. Gill found the end zone for the second time in the quarter, this time from two yards out, giving Walsh a 23-14 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals would not go away quietly. Wheeling scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown with 8:50 remaining, cutting the Walsh lead to just two points. The Cavs then needed their defense to step up as the Cardinals looked to complete the comeback.
After Walsh was forced to punt, Wheeling drove deep into Cavalier territory with just over five minutes remaining. The defense came up with the biggest play of the night when Jerijah Moore intercepted Lutz at the Walsh four-yard line and returned it 20 yards, giving the Cavs possession with 3:33 remaining.
Walsh's offense then took over and did exactly what it needed to do. The Cavs picked up a pair of first downs, including a key nine-yard completion from Hayden Wickard to William Butler, before running out the clock to secure the 23-21 victory.
The Cavaliers improve to 2-0 on the season and will be on a bye next week. Their next game will be over Maroon and Gold Weekend on September 19th.
LOCATION: Larry Staudt Field
SCORE: Walsh 23 - Wheeling 21
RECORDS: Walsh 2-0 (0-0), Wheeling 1-1 (0-0)
FOR THE CAVS
- Jake Gill led the way for the Cavalier offense, rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Gill also added two receptions for 27 yards.
- Brendan Zurbrugg provided a spark with both his arm and his legs. He rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown while completing 8-of-11 passes for 140 yards.
- Hayden Wickard completed 7-of-15 passes for 52 yards while rushing for 29 yards. He helped lead the final Walsh drive that allowed the Cavs to run out the clock.
- William Butler led the Cavalier receivers with four receptions for 36 yards, including a key nine-yard reception on the final Walsh drive.
- The Walsh defense was led by Donovan Daetwyler, who totaled eight tackles and came up with an interception in the first half. Michael Howman Williams added five tackles and two quarterback hurries.
- Walsh finished with 389 yards of total offense, including 197 rushing yards, while converting six of 13 third-down attempts.
