Panthers Earn Gridiron Road Win over Highland Cavaliers

October 8, 2005
Game Stats

Wise, Va. – Kentucky Wesleyan College spoiled the University of Virginia’s College at Wise Homecoming weekend by earning its first road and season victory of the season Saturday afternoon. The Panthers posted 12 points in the second quarter and fended off the Highland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter for the 15-7 win.

Kentucky Wesleyan improves to 1-4 on the year and becomes the second team in two weeks to pick up its first win of the year over UVa-Wise. The Cavs’ season mark evens out to 3-3 after a 3-0 start to the 2005 campaign.

With Kentucky Wesleyan leading 15-0, UVa-Wise drove 67 yards on 13 plays for its first score on a seven-yard pass from Robert Johnson to Kendon Doe. The touchdown pass cut the margin to 15-7 Panthers on only the second red zone trip of the day by the Cavs.

Kentucky Wesleyan took over with 3:58 left in the game and was able to convert two key third downs. Letiz Arnold ran for 25 yards on a third-and-seven before quarterback Ward Tanner rushed for three yards on a third-and-one to allow the Panthers to run out the game clock to complete the 15-7 win.

After UVa-Wise had two drives in Kentucky Wesleyan territory stall in the first quarter, the visitors’ Brandon Hodnett hit a 23-yard field goal with 12:12 in the second for a 3-0 lead. The Cavs’ Brandon Moore returned the insuing kickoff 69 yards to the Panther 15-yard line only to see Greg Embers force Godfrey Pestana to fumble on the next play. Tanner hit Josh Smith from 17 yards away to complete an 88-yard drive for a 9-0 lead midway through the second frame.

Hodnett added a 25-yard field goal in the last minute of the first half before hitting a 31-yarder in the opening minutes of the final quarter.

Tanner guided an efficient Panther offensive attack which outgained the Cavs 415 to 259 yards on the day. Kentucky Wesleyan threw for 305 yards to only 16 yards for UVa-Wise and the Panther defense took advantage of five Cavs’ turnovers.

Tanner connected on 26 of 47 passes for 305 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Calvin Bini pulled in eight passes for 114 yards while Demetrice Jefferson (6 rec. for 54 yds.) and Smith (4 rec. for 67 yds., 1 td) chipped in good outings. Arnold ran for 92 yards on the ground on 20 carries. Noah Harris led the KWC defense with two interceptions, three breakups and 10 tackles while Keith Cottoner had 12 stops and two tackles for loss.

For the Cavs, Pestana scurried for 85 yards on 14 attempts. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor added 62 yards on 14 tries. Eric Ludden was the top UVa-Wise defender with 11 tackles and a forced fumble to go with 10 stopes and 1.5 tackles for loss by Ben Robertson.

Next Saturday, UVa-Wise will host nationally-ranked Georgetown College starting at 5:00 p.m. while Kentucky Wesleyan will entertain Campbellsville College.

-Go Cavs-