WHEELING, W.Va. – The Concord University football team came up short in a 26-21 defeat at Wheeling Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference game at Bishop Schmitt Field.
The Mountain Lions (3-6, 2-5 MEC) dug out of a 13-0 hole in the second quarter when CU scored its second defensive touchdown of the season, an 80-yard interception return by junior defensive back
Nehemiah Scott.
Wheeling (5-4, 4-2 MEC) had a chance to extend the lead to 16-7 before halftime, but sophomore linebacker
Xavier Ellison blocked a 20-yard field goal by the Cardinals with 4:33 left in the second quarter. However, the Mountain Lions could not turn the special teams' play into points before the break.
CU did snatch its first lead of the game with 4:14 remaining in the third quarter when junior running back
Israel Rhodes collected a swing pass from sophomore quarterback
Tyler Mizzell and raced into the end zone from four-yard out, capping a short five-play, 34-yard drive.
The short field was set up by short punt and good runback by freshman running back
Curtis Clark.
Wheeling tacked on its third field goal of the game in the final two minutes of the third to take a 16-14 edge into the fourth quarter.
Both teams traded field position early in the fourth as it was the Cardinals that kicked a fourth field goal to go up 19-14 with 4:50 remaining.
Driving near midfield for the potential game-winning score, a fumble by the Mountain Lions was picked up and returned for a score to take the Wheeling advantage to 26-14.
CU did get a late touchdown, with 20 seconds left, as Mizzell found junior tight end
Damari Heller for his second score of the season, but it wasn't enough as Concord fell by five.
After a slow start, Mizell finished the day with 205 yards passing to go with a pair of touchdowns. He also led the Mountain Lions in rushing, eight attempts for 73 yards. Senior wide receiver
Rodney Mike had a career-best 59 yards on three receptions.
Scott led the Concord defense with seven tackles. Senior defensive lineman
Michael Herbert and sophomore defensive lineman
Chris Williams both had five tackles and a sack with Herbert forcing a fumble in the game.
The Mountain Lions play their final home game of the season, a 1:00 p.m. kickoff Saturday, November 8 versus Fairmont State.
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