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UVa-Wise Highland Cavaliers vs. Union College Bulldogs Date: September 4, 2004 Time: 5 p.m. Location: Carl Smith Stadium (Capacity: 3,086) -- Wise, Va.

TODAY’S GAME: Saturday’s football game between the UVa-Wise Highland Cavaliers and Kentucky Wesleyan College will be the first gridiron meeting between the two schools. Today’s game is the 131st in the history of the UVa-Wise football program. The Cavaliers have an alltime record of 68 wins, 62 losses and no ties. UVa-Wise’s overall home record is 43-28.

THE SERIES: First meeting.

LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
UVa-Wise: Dominic Yuille rushed 22 times for 158 yards as Union College rolled past UVa-Wise 46-13 in the season opener for both Mid-South Conference teams in a game played at Carl Smith Stadium in Wise Saturday. Union (1-0 overall and 1-0 in the MSC) jumped out on the Cavaliers (0-1 overall and 0-1 in the MSC) early with three quick touchdowns to give the visiting Bulldogs a 22-0 edge going into halftime. Quarterback Matt Pursell opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run with 8:20 to play in the first quarter. Pursell also threw for three touchdowns in the game and completed 16 of 26 passes for 157 yards. For the Cavaliers, sophomore quarterback Josh Mabe completed just eight of 31 passes, but did connect on two long pass plays that put UVa-Wise deep in Union territory. Mabe set up the Cavaliers first score late in the third with a 57-yard pass to receiver Jack Haddix that went to the Union two-yard line. On the next play, Devon Carson plunged into the end zone to get the Cavaliers on the board. In the fourth, Mabe hooked up with All-MSC receiver Dieontea Stewart on a long pass that set up Larry Smith’s 8-yard TD gallop. Freshman Devon Carson led the UVa-Wise running game with 48 yards on nine carries. Stewart led the Cavs’ receiving corps with four catches for 68 yards.

Kentucky Wesleyan: Today’s game is the season opener for the Panthers.

THE COACHES:
UVa-Wise: Bruce Wasem is in his third season as the head coach of the Highland Cavaliers. Wasem’s career record is 6-16 (.272). Wasem is 4-14 (.222) in Mid-South Conference play. Wasem, who has been with the Cavaliers since their inaugural season in 1991, served as the team’s defensive coordinator before taking over the head coaching duties when Bill Ramseyer retired in 2002. This year, Wasem also will serve as the Cavaliers’ offensive coordinator.

Kentucky Wesleyan College: Brent Holsclaw enters his second season as head coach of the Panthers. During his inaugural season, Holsclaw’s Kentucky Wesleyan squad recorded a 1-9 mark. Holsclaw, a Louisville native, played quarterback for the Panthers during the 1991-’93 seasons and holds numerous school offensive and passing records.

CAVS ON THE AIR: Saturday’s UVa-Wise football game with Kentucky Wesleyan can be heard live on WAXM 93.5 FM in Norton. Brian Wills provides all of the play-by-play action along with color commentator Bill Smith.

THE HIGHLAND CAVALIERS FOOTBALL SHOW: Join UVa-Wise head coach Bruce Wasem and host Brian Wills each week throughout the gridiron season as they discuss the latest happenings with the Red & Gray on The Highland Cavaliers Football Show. Highlights from last week’s game and discussions about the Cavaliers’ next opponent, plus interviews and analysis, gives Cavs’ fans insight into their favorite team. The Highland Cavaliers Football Show can be seen each week on UVa-Wise Channel 55 and on cable stations throughout Southwest Virginia. Replays of each UVa-Wise football game can also be seen on many of these same stations. Check local listings for times and dates. Where to find Cavs-TV: UVa-Wise Channel 55 FARC-TV Channel 14 (Russell County) FBVU Channel 12 (Bristol, Va. and Washington County) FSTE Channel 30 (Scott County)