Saturday, May 10, 2014

UVA-Wise Replaces Jacksonville on 2014 Schedule

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents.  UVA-Wise replaces Jacksonville in Game Four.

Well, this is awkward.  Already eight games in, and we have to go back and re-preview game four.  Why? Jacksonville has apparently taken Wofford off next year's slate, and our replacement is none other than Virginia-Wise, one of our favorite Division II opponents of recent years.  The Highland Cavaliers play in the Mountain East Conference, where they finished last season 2-9 (2-7 conference), under fourth-year head coach Dewey Lusk.

Virginia-Wise's 2013 Season

The Cavs dropped the first seven games of the 2013 campaign, which included games against Campbell (56-21), W.V. Wesleyan (37-7), the University of Charleston (38-15), 2012 Terrier opponent Union of Kentucky (24-17), Notre Dame College of Ohio (59-35), Shepherd (42-17), and Glenville State (49-7). UVA-Wise broke the streak with an 18-10 victory over West Virginia State. A 44-6 loss at Concord came before a 24-13 win over West Liberty. Fairmont State ended the Cavs' season with a 47-44 defeat. Wise finished in a tie for second-to-last place in the Mountain East Conference with Fairmont State.

The Game

This game against a Division II team, which should be an easy win for the Terriers, replaces a Division I game against Jacksonville. Wofford essentially needs seven Division I victories to have a shot at the playoffs (that is, if they don't win the SoCon). There are seven SoCon games this year, so if the Terriers get at least six wins on the conference slate, (assuming they beat Gardner-Webb and lose to Georgia Tech) they should be good. However, it's always important for the Terriers to win games, regardless of their significance in the grand scheme of the FCS postseason. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, so when the schedule gives you Virginia-Wise, use it as an opportunity to improve and get ready for the lingering SoCon games ahead.


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