Tough Defense and Morgan Take 10th-Ranked Cavs Over Rival Bears

October 20, 2007
Game Stats

Wise, Va. – The 10th-ranked University of Virginia’s College at Wise defense had its best outing of the year and Ra’Shad Morgan provided the punch on offense in an overpowering victory, 43-10, over rival Pikeville College.

In a season best performance, the UVa-Wise defense allowed just 195 yards with 68 of those yards coming on the Bears final drive against the reserve players. The defenders also produced five sacks, 10 tackles for loss, picked off three passes and forced a fumble.

All-American running back Morgan (Chesterfield, Va./Meadowbrook) totaled 284 all-purpose yards in his usual outstanding efforts. The 284 all-purpose yards gives Morgan the Cavs’ career record in the category with 5,542 yards surpassing Greg Thomas (1993-96), who had 5,453. The senior rushed 24 times for 185 yards and three touchdowns while he caught another six passes for 99 yards.

The Highland Cavaliers (7-1) stayed a perfect 2-0 in the Mid-South East Division while the Bears dropped to 3-5 on the year and 1-1 in the division.

The senior linebacking duo from West Carteret (NC) High School led the defense. Ben Robertson (Morehead City, NC) had nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and forced a fumble. Gio Watford (Cofield, NC) posted a career-best eight stops. Defensive end Reggie Dorsainvil (Va. Beach, Va./ Salem) added six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss of 13 yards and 1.5 sacks. Josh Spurlock (Big Stone Gap, Va./Powell Valley) had a solo sack of eight yards while John Mathis and Aaron Mathis (Copper Hill, Va./Floyd Co.) and Chas Johnson (Newport News, Va/Warwick) each assisted on a sack.

Jamal Potter (Va. Beach, Va/ Salem), Brandon Arrington (Chesapeake, Va./Oscar Smith) and Danny Hinkle (Inez, Ky./Sheldon Clarke) snatched interceptions.

Wide out Jason Lovett (Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax) set a single game record with 13 receptions (141 yards) and tied the season touchdown reception record of 11 with a four-yard scoring catch in the first quarter. Quarterback Randy Hippeard (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) completed 22 of 33 passes for 261 yards and two scores with one interception. Backup running back Jyron Barclay (Stone Mountain, Ga.) rushed 10 times for 54 yards and a six-yard touchdown.

The tone was set early by the UVa-Wise defense. The unit forced two punts and allowed just four yards in six plays by Pikeville. The Cavs offense put back-to-back long drives of 10 plays for 98 yards and 12 plays for 82 yards capped by Hippeard scoring passes to Aric Evans (Cincinnati, Ohio/Taft) and Lovett over eight and four yards for a 14-0 score after one frame.

After leading 21-3 at the half, Hinkle intercepted a middle screen and returned it 11 yards to the visiting 10-yardline. Lance Ayers (Hillsville, Va./Carroll Co.) connected on a 25-yard field goal, the first UVa-Wise field goal attempt in eight games with 9:21 in the third.

On the following drive, Pikeville lost two yards in three plays before Barclay returned a punt 75 yards to the Bears’ 10-yardline. Morgan extended the margin to 31-3 on two carries. The senior back added a 24-yard touchdown jaunt on the next drive to make it 38-3 after three quarters before the final of 43-10.

Jamar Porter had a good day on the Bears’ defense with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Running back De’von Joseph ran 11 times for 48 yards and quarterback Chip English came on in relief to complete five of 10 passes for 78 yards and a seven-yard touchdown to Demarc Anderson.

UVa-Wise travels to take on Mid-South East member Union College next Saturday, Oct. 27 th starting at 1:30 p.m.