Glenville came up with two more big plays than the Cavaliers to take a 17-7 win at Carl Smith Stadium in the season opener for both teams.
GAME WINNER
The Pioneers sealed the win with 4:16 left to play on a 48-yard field goal from junior Justin Watts.
Watts’ kick came minutes after Virginia-Wise scored its only touchdown of the contest.
After Cavaliers starting quarterback Jarome Johnson and his backup Garrett Cropp both suffered serious injuries in the first half, redshirt junior quarterback Brycen Lee connected with wide receiver Kaian Duverger for a 55-yard touchdown just eight seconds into the fourth quarter.
THREATENING WEATHER
The Virginia-Wise score came after Glenville took a 14-0 halftime lead and a lightning delay of one hour and 26 minutes.
The stoppage came with 2:26 to play in the first half.
The interruption was the first weather delay for a football game in the 19-year history of Carl Smith Stadium.
PIONEERS STRIKE FIRST, FAST
After a scoreless first quarter, Glenville State went ahead 7-0 with 3:12 left in the opening quarter when Tre Crutcher hauled in a 27-yard pass from quarterback Jaylen McNair.
Less than a minute later, D’Andre Brown scooped up a fumble on a Virginia-Wise errant backwards pass and ran into the end zone untouched from 14 yards out to give the Pioneers a two-score advantage.
GLENVILLE SEALS THE DEAL
After Virginia-Wise’s fourth-quarter touchdown, the Cavaliers seemed to gain the momentum, but they could not move the ball down the field.
Glenville put the game away when Virginia-Wise’s Jamorya Cousin fumbled and the Pioneers recovered the ball at the Cavaliers 36. Two minutes later, Watts nailed the field goal for the Pioneers.
STAT LEADERS
Glenville’s Mario Pender, a transfer from Florida State, carried the ball for 124 yards on 25 carries.
Lee completed 15 of 31 passes for 162 yards with one touchdown.
NEXT WEEK
Glenville is at home on Saturday with another MEC contest against Notre Dame College.
Virginia-Wise is on the road at West Virginia State.
